site.btaConsultative Council on National Security Discusses Risks and Threats from Crisis in Middle East

ESD 13:54:31 09-01-2020
LN1351ES.106
106 - POLITICS - NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL - MIDDLE EAST-amp 2

Consultative Council on National Security
Discusses Risks and Threats from
Crisis in Middle East


Sofia, January 9 (BTA) - The Consultative Council on National Security with President Rumen Radev convened on Thursday to look into potential national security risks and threats in the context of the complicated security environment in the Middle East.

Participating were Parliament leader Tsveta Karayancheva, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the Deputy Prime Ministers Ekaterina Zaharieva (Foreign Affairs) and Krassimir Karakachanov (Defence), Interior Minister Mladen Marinov, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov, Chief of Defence Gen. Andrey Botsev, the heads of special services and representatives of the parliamentary parties.

Participants rallied around the idea that an escalation of the crisis poses a threat to peace both in the region and globally, said President Radev in a statement after the meeting.

The Council noted that in the modern globalized and interconnected world each act of violence and aggression has the potential to trigger consequences of unpredictable nature and scale. Participants voiced concern over developments in Iraq, taking into consideration the need for urgent de-escalation of tensions and restraint in the use of weapons.

The Council believes that the sides should avoid actions which escalate the conflict, make extra efforts towards effective dialogue and finding a peaceful solution through diplomatic means as well as stick to commitments made under the nuclear deal with Iran

The President presented the recommendations of the Council in connection with the situation in the Middle East.

The Council recommends that within the context of a complicated security situation in the Middle East, Bulgaria should maintain a national position, which highlights the need for de-escalation of tensions and resolving the crisis through diplomatic means. The security services should monitor the situation constantly and analyze all processes which could potentially generate risks and threats to Bulgaria's national security. The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry should maintain capacity for constant contact with Bulgarian nationals in hotspot areas and the Defence Ministry should take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Bulgarian servicemen participating in overseas operations.

If the situation changes, additional measures should be taken to protect the population and the critical infrastructure facilities in the country, said Radev. /MORE