site.btaDefence Minister: Deployment of More NATO Troops in Bulgaria Would Be Unjustifiable

Sofia, December 21 (BTA) - Bulgarian Defence Minister Stefan Yanev believes that deciding on deployment of additional NATO troops in Bulgaria would be unjustifiable. "Such a decision would not match the allies' interests or the national interests of Bulgaria," he wrote in a Facebook post.

The current increase of the Russian military potential and activities on the Eastern flangе should be taken into consideration and monitored closely. They call for a single approach by all Alliance members while making sure that such an approach does not cause unnecessary escalation of tension, Yanev said.

Various scenarios for response to Russia's actions are being considered by NATO, including deployment of additional troops in Bulgaria and Romania by the enhanced-forward-presence model, the Minister added. These are technical discussions and no decision has been made, he also said.

"It is my position that such a debate has the potential of causing unnecessary increase in tension in the region. All the more so that at this stage there is no reason to consider the said processes [on Russia's side] as a direct threat for the Alliance and its security. In this line of reasoning, I see nothing that justifies a decision for deployment of additional troops in our territory," Yanev wrote.

He said, however, that Bulgaria has readiness, should the security dynamics require, "to increase the capacity of its own troops in its territory in the context of the allied capabilities for deterrance and defence".