site.btaPresident Radev Reacts to GERB's Accusations of His Involvement in Decision to Purchase Swedish Fighter Aircraft

President Radev Reacts to GERB's Accusations of His Involvement in Decision to Purchase Swedish Fighter Aircraft

Gorna Oryahovitsa, North Bulgaria, June 27 (BTA) - Reacting to GERB's recent accusations of his involvement in a decision to purchase Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft, President Rumen Radev said here on Tuesday that the political scene is not a place for "good cop/bad cop" sketches.

GERB Floor Leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov said on Sunday that his party demands the establishment of an ad hoc committee for everything related to Parliament's decision to provide financial resources for the Bulgarian Army's rearmament. "We have enough suspicions that President Radev had backed the purchase of Swedish fighter aircraft and that this happened at a time when the caretaker government had not yet made a final decision," Tsvetanov said.

"We lived to see Tsvetanov accuse the State of Sweden of corruption, because you know that two sides are needed for corruption to take place, but lets leave this European joke aside," Radev told a journalist's question about the presidential institution's involvement in a political dialogue with GERB in connection with the Air Force's rearmament. The President said that this is not about dialogue, voicing hope that Prime Minister Boyko Borissov will clearly state whether he supports his deputy's declarations.

"When we talk about corruption, I expect to find out whether Mr. Borissov has read the folder, bequeathed to him by (caretaker) prime minister Gerdjikov," Radev added.

Commenting GERB's demand to establish an ad hoc committee, Radev said that there is no way the President can be summoned in Parliament. He noted that, if it wants to, the committee can check the decisions, signatures and schedules, drafted, confirmed and signed by Borissov's second cabinet, which the previous 43rd National Assembly has adopted, and for which there is a very clear timetable.

The President said he expects a detailed analysis and report on the funds designated for all the types of armed forces, and that has been assured that the Government is working hard on drafting the documents, which should have been ready by June 20, in accordance with the Consultative Council on National Security's decision.

Radev visited the Zaharni Zavodi plant in Gorna Oryahovitsa and conferred with local Mayor Dobromir Dobrev.