site.btaSocialist Party Will Not Support Government's National Security Report

Sofia, September 19 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) will not support the Government's Annual National Security Report, the party announced at a news conference Tuesday.

The report was submitted to the National Assembly on September 13. It identifies Russia's actions as a source of regional instability and as threatening Bulgaria's principal objective: a united, free and peaceful Europe.

According to the BSP Russia is a strategic opportunity and partner, and not a threat, BSP Deputy Chair Kiril Dobrev said. He called on deputy prime ministers Valeri Simeonov and Krassimir Karakachanov to withdraw their signatures from the report because during the election campaign they had expressed entirely different positions and, therefore, the United Patriots group should not support the document in Parliament.

At the news conference, Atanas Zafirov from the BSP leadership also commented on the planned purchase of eight fighter aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force. He noted that there is no scandal with the offer for new Gripens (Griffin) from Sweden's Saab that was backed by President Rumen Radev, and by claiming otherwise the power holders are trying to divert the attention from the fact that they have not fulfilled any of their promises in the security sector. Zafirov was referring to documents presented by Anton Todorov MP of GERB on national television earlier on Tuesday, according to which in June 2014 President Radev, who commanded the Air Force at the time, provided then prime minister Plamen Oresharski with instructions for a meeting with representatives of Saab.

According to the Socialists, this is yet another scenario aimed against the image of President Radev while he is away from Bulgaria to attend the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly. "I see no lobbying here, General Rumen Radev is just presenting an expert's view," Zafirov commented, noting that the documents presented by Todorov simply list the characteristics of the Gripens.

The BSP also commented on the issue with the withdrawal of the foreign trade licence of weapons manufacturer Emco. Every time GERB are in power there are problems at the plant, BSP for Bulgaria Deputy Floor Leader Dragomir Stoynev recalled. One thousand people work at Emco and the closure of its production will affect the local town of Tryavna (Central Bulgaria) and lead to loss of markets, the Socialists said. They called for the issue's quick solution and stated their intention to set up a hearing of Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov at the corresponding parliamentary committee.

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Asked to comment on a statement by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on the planned purchase of new fighter aircraft and the document presented by Todorov on Tuesday, President Radev told journalists in New York that the Government holds not just the resources but also the responsibility for the Bulgarian Army's modernisation. "You cannot build national security with a daily change in your positions. This is a strategic sphere for security and the country's future," the head of State said. He advised the Government's advisors and parliamentary group to read more. "You cannot have read just one document - and there are hundred such documents - and then make the strangest of claims," Radev said. He specified that former prime minister Plamen Oresharki has not sought his expert opinion on the Gripen aircraft.