site.btaVazrazhdane Calls for Hearing of Caretaker Ministers over US Air Force Aircraft Stationed at Sofia Airport

Vazrazhdane has called for a hearing of caretaker ministers over the presence of US Air Force aircraft at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, the party’s press centre said.

On February 19, the Defence Ministry confirmed that US Air Force aircraft had been stationed at the airport. According to the ministry, their presence supports training activities related to NATO’s enhanced vigilance measures, and the personnel on site are responsible for servicing the aircraft.

Vazrazhdane said that the caretaker prime minister, the caretaker ministers of foreign affairs, transport and communications, and defence, as well as the CEO of Sofia Airport, owe the Bulgarian public an explanation as to why, at a time of tension in the Middle East, American military aircraft have been allowed to use a civilian airport in Bulgaria. The party also recalled that the airport will be temporarily closed to civilian traffic on February 23 and 24, describing the situation as "an unacceptable precedent for a sovereign state."

"The government has granted permission for the deployment of American military aircraft in Sofia without consulting Parliament. According to media reports, there are nine KC-135 tanker aircraft, three C-17s, several Boeing 747s, as well as a US military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules, intended for landing troops and equipment in ground operations, arriving directly from the Ramstein base in Germany," Vazrazhdane added.

The presence of these aircraft, and the decision to allow them, has raised concerns and questions throughout Bulgarian society, the party said. The government is obliged to provide answers to the Bulgarian people, Vazrazhdane added.

Vazrazhdane declared itself firmly opposed to turning Bulgaria into "a lodgement for yet another foreign war." The party called for immediate answers from the government and measures to remove the US aircraft from Bulgarian territory. "If this does not happen promptly, we urge all Bulgarian citizens to take part in mass protests," Vazrazhdane said.