BulgariaThe parliamentary defense committee approved the government’s proposal to authorize the temporary deployment of up to eight people. WE military tanker aircraft and 250 American soldiers Bezmer air base. The decision was supported by 11 commission members, while one voted against and two abstained.
The proposal will now be put to a vote in the plenary hall of the National Assembly. It was introduced by Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, following a request from the United States for the parking of the KC-135 tanker. aircraftmilitary personnel with personal weapons and ammunition, as well as aviation equipment necessary to Bezmer from July 24 to October 1, 2026.
Unlike the previous deployment of WE aircraft at Sofia Civil Airport, the current request is officially linked to support for US operations in the Middle East. The government argued that parliamentary approval was required due to public concerns raised after the earlier rollout.
Stoyanov said he would travel to the Yambol region on Friday to meet with local mayors and discuss the issue directly with representatives of the communities surrounding the region. Bezmer military air base.
“I am ready to discuss with all the mayors of the region where Bezmer the military airport is located”, the defense minister said, adding that the parliament’s decision aims to address the concerns of local residents.
According to Stoyanov, a military intelligence assessment identified some risks related to the deployment, but found no direct threats to Bulgarianational security.
“In principle, there are always risks, but there is no direct threat to our national security,” he reiterated during discussions in committee.
The defense committee rejected a proposal from Democratic MP Ivaylo Mirchev. Bulgaria to hear the director of the Military Information Service, Brigadier General Venelin Venev, behind closed doors.
During the commission meeting, protests took place in front of the National Assembly building. Around fifteen people gathered near one of the entrances to Parliament, chanting “We don’t want war.” President of the Progressive Party Bulgaria The Petar Vitanov parliamentary group came to speak with the demonstrators.
The planned deployment has also sparked a political debate among lawmakers. GERB representatives argued that the current request differs from the previous deployment, presented as being linked to exercises, while the new request concerns support for a military operation.
“The first thing is to increase the presence on the front and the exercises. Either you have to say that the partners are lying, misleading, manipulating, or admit that the situation is different now. You ask for authorization to participate in a military operation,” he added. » said GERB MP Georg Georgiev.
Stoyanov rejected such criticism, saying military exercises require long-term preparation and formal planning procedures.
“Exercises are not organized like this, overnight. There should be planning conferences. Such planning conferences have not taken place,” he added. he said.
The minister also disputed claims that the previous deployment of WE aircraft at Sofia airport was linked to exercises.
“There were no exercises or anything else. If there were exercises, I would like to ask my colleagues from GERB, PP, DB and all other parliamentary parties what exercises they participated in, what missions were carried out, who was in charge of the exercises and when the planning conferences took place.” » said Stoyanov.
Members of the PP, Democrat Bulgaria and Revival have raised questions about possible risks for Bulgaria. MP Ivaylo Mirchev asked whether the deployment could represent Bulgariawhile Stoyanov responded that the government had made no such claim.
“Someone from Progressive Bulgaria said it was participation in a war. I didn’t say that”, » declared the Minister of Defense.
PP MP Radoslav Ribarski questioned whether the deployment could take place Bulgaria a legitimate military target. Stoyanov rejected this possibility, saying Bulgaria would not participate in the operation with troops or military capabilities.
“Bulgaria does not participate in the operation either with forces or with means. A few months ago, we were not a target due to the deployment of aircraft at Vassil Levski Airport”, he said.
Renewal MP Ivelin Parvanov said the country welcomed the aircraft could be considered a target by opponents of WE operation. Stoyanov once again insisted that military assessments had revealed no direct threat.
DPS representative Ivo Tsanev supported the deployment, saying Bulgaria should act as a reliable NATO ally.
“It is high time that our country was in its place, within NATO, as a predictable ally,” » said Tsanev.
Stoyanov also explained that Bezmer the airbase is among the facilities designated for joint use under the defense cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and the United States. He added that there was still no final decision on how aircraft will be supplied during their stay.
Source: Novinite
