site.btaPresident Plevneliev: The Bulgarian Army Guarding Border with Turkey Is Not a Good Idea

President Plevneliev: The Bulgarian Army Guarding Border with Turkey Is Not a Good Idea


Sofia, January 6 (BTA) - The idea for the Bulgarian Army to
participate in guarding the border with Turkey is "not a good
one, to put it mildly," said President Rosen Plevneliev here on
Tuesday answering a question about the confrontation which
emerged between the defence and the interior ministries as a
result of the looming serious refugee situation. According to
him, the Army's participation could turn into a very serious
foreign policy problem for Bulgaria.

The President said that he would not allow the Army to stand at
the border when there is not another army across. "What's even
more important is to imagine the diplomatic scandal which awaits
 us if it turns out that we are guarding our border with an
allied nation, such as Turkey, with soldiers, armoured vehicles
and equipment," Plevneliev said. He described such a scenario as
 being unacceptable and not a good idea, voicing hope that the
Government will find the right solution, which in his words
would be for the Interior Ministry to find the strength and
resources needed to deal with the situation along the border. In
 case the Interior Ministry lacks such resources, they must be
provided, he added.

President Plevneliev also commented other issues after Tuesday's
 blessing of the Bulgarian Army flags on the occasion of
Epiphany.