site.btaDefence Committee Approves Draft Decision Allowing US Aircraft Deployment in Bulgaria

Parliament's Defence Committee on Tuesday approved a draft decision allowing the temporary deployment of US aircraft and military personnel in Bulgaria to support operations in the Middle East. The proposal passed with 11 votes in favour, one against and two abstentions and now awaits approval by Parliament.

The draft decision, submitted by the Council of Ministers on July 20, was presented to the committee by Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov. It follows a US diplomatic note requesting the deployment of up to eight KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft, up to 250 US service members carrying personal weapons and ammunition, and the necessary airport equipment at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 to October 1.

Stoyanov said he would travel to Yambol on Friday to meet with mayors from the region, where Bezmer Air Base is located. He said parliamentary approval was being sought because of public concerns raised during the previous deployment of US aircraft at Sofia Airport.

An assessment by the Military Intelligence Service found that while risks exist, there is no direct threat to Bulgaria's national security, Stoyanov said.

The committee rejected a proposal by Democratic Bulgaria MP Ivaylo Mirchev to hold a closed-door hearing with Military Intelligence Service Director Brigadier General Venelin Venev later on Tuesday.

On May 29, the Government extended until June 30 the stay in Bulgaria of up to 15 US aircraft, their support personnel and equipment. The aircraft subsequently departed Sofia's Vasil Levski Airport. At the time, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria had not received a positive response on visa-free travel for Bulgarian citizens to the United States and could not approve a prolonged stay of the tanker aircraft at Sofia Airport because Bulgaria also had its own priorities and procedures.