site.btaParliament Ratifies Bulgaria-Italy Agreement on Joint Construction and Use of Facilities at Kabile Military Area

Parliament adopted at first and second reading in a single sitting the bill ratifying the agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and Italy on defence cooperation concerning the joint construction and use of military facilities at the Kabile military area (Southeastern Bulgaria).

At second reading, 131 MPs voted in favour, 38 against, and 10 abstained. Support for the ratification came from GERB-UDF, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB), the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - New Beginning, BSP - United Left, There Is Such a People (TISP), one MP from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF), and one independent MP. Votes against came from Vazrazhdane and Velichie, as well as one MP from CC-DB. MPs from Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) abstained.

Under the signed agreement, Italy assumes responsibility for assembling and deploying residential buildings, offices, facilities and amenities, as well as related services, and may carry out the necessary construction works for these purposes, including through its armed forces.

Bulgaria hosts a NATO battlegroup and has obligations to provide infrastructure for its accommodation and training facilities, outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told MPs. He noted that the battlegroup is currently temporarily stationed at the Novo Selo training area. With this agreement, Italy will invest jointly with Bulgaria and take part in creating infrastructure for temporary deployment at Kabile, Zapryanov explained, adding that conditions could be created in a short time for relocating the battlegroup from Novo Selo to Kabile. The agreement serves the interests of Bulgaria, Italy and NATO, he concluded.

Nikola Dimitrov (Vazrazhdane) argued that the agreement should not be ratified, saying this may reflect the views of many residents of Yambol and the village of Kabile. He suggested a local referendum should have been held to ask residents whether they want a foreign base near their homes. "We want the Bulgarian Army to be the sole guarantor of Bulgaria’s security and territorial integrity," he said.

Atanas Slavov (CC-DB) said his group would support the ratification. The proposed solution to build the base at Kabile strengthens NATO’s eastern flank following Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, he noted, adding that Italy is the framework nation of the battlegroup, while Bulgaria is the host nation. "As the host, it is our responsibility to create conditions for the battlegroup to operate effectively," Slavov said.

Hristo Gadzhev (GERB-UDF), chair of Parliament’s Defence Committee, said that when troops from different NATO member states are present on the ground, it is a guarantee they will intervene to defend the host country. The presence of this multinational brigade in Bulgaria is a form of assurance from NATO that, whatever happens, those countries will come to Bulgaria’s aid, he added.