site.btaMPs Approve on Princile Participation of Armed Forces in Border Protection Missions

MPs Approve on Princile Participation of Armed Forces in Border Protection Missions

Sofia, February 18 (BTA) - In a first-reading vote Thursday, Parliament voted unanimously to amend the Defence and Armed Forces Act to allow the Armed Forces to participate in border protection. The revisions broaden the scope of peace-time activities in which the Armed Forces will be able to engage, including protection of the national border.

A government act will provide for the financing and other resources necessary for the fulfillment of this new task.

The revisions say that the Defence Minister will set out the rules for using the Armed Forces in border security missions.

The changes in the law were proposed by MP Valentin Radev (GERB) and a group of MPs. They say in their reasoning that the country has been experiencing an increased migration pressure caused by international circumstances. The Interior Ministry is making all efforts to manage this pressure but it needs support from other state bodies. The Armed Forces have personnel and resources that could be used in joint participation in border protection missions, the reasoning goes.