site.btaDefence Minister Tells PM There Is No Danger for Bulgaria after Middle East Tension Escalation

Bulgaria is not endangered by the escalation of tension in the Middle East, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, as quoted by the Government Information Service. The heads of the security services were also present.

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov was briefed on the current situation. The Defence Minister stressed that there is currently no direct danger to this country. Airspace surveillance over Bulgaria has been increased.

The Foreign Ministry has already instructed its ambassadors in Israel and the Middle East countries to keep in constant contact with Bulgarian citizens in the region. The institutions continue to monitor the situation with caution, the government’s statement added.

Earlier today, the Foreign Ministry instructed Bulgarian citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately, the reason being the escalation of tension in the region. It also called on Bulgarians in Israel to register with the consular service of the Bulgarian Embassy in Tel Aviv, providing information about the duration of their stay and current contact details. All Bulgarians who are in the Middle East, and in particular in Iraq, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, were told to keep informed about the latest developments and to follow the instructions of the local authorities.