site.btaGovernment Not Considering Joining Coalition against Islamic State Militant Group

Government Not Considering
Joining Coalition against
Islamic State Militant Group


Sofia, September 24 (BTA) - Bulgaria is not involved in the
US-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group,
Bulgarian Defence Minister Velizar Shalamanov said on Wednesday.
"We are not involved in it and the matter is not being
considered in our government right now, because we think our
capabilities in this field are limited," Shalamanov said,
speaking to journalists.

He noted that the Bulgarian Air Force cannot take part in joint
operations of such intensity, because they lack necessary
equipment.

"What we are trying to do in the way of help is to provide
humanitarian relief and, along with our allies in the EU and
NATO, to make donations of light armament and ammunition," he
said.

Asked about the degree to which Bulgaria is threatened with
terrorist attacks by the Islamic State, the Minister said any
nation upholding freedom and democracy is threatened by that
movement which is definitely opposed to the fundamental values
shared by Bulgaria.

"We are taking measures, both on the national level and within
the EU and NATO, and we are doing our best to protect our
interests," the Defence Minister said. He added that the
Bulgarian armed forces are undergoing necessary training and are
closely involved in training with the allies and in planning
activities. "But this is much more a question of intelligence,
of reinforcing our services of internal security and border
control," he said, calling for better coordination in order to
make full use of available resources and capabilities.

Asked whether he still insists that Bulgaria should shake off
its dependence on Russia, Shalamanov said Bulgaria needs to
become less dependent on any non-EU and non-NATO nations with
respect to matters which have a bearing on its combat readiness
and capabilities. "We need freedom of action on a technical
level, which can give us freedom of action on a political
level," he said.

Shalamanov was among the participants in a roundtable discussion
on crisis management which was held in Sofia. PK/VE