site.btaPresident Plevneliev: Bulgaria's Self-isolation in Its Own Airspace Does not Help Enhance Army's Combat Capabilities

President Plevneliev: Bulgaria's Self-isolation in Its Own Airspace Does not Help Enhance Army's Combat Capabilities

Sofia, September 1 (BTA) - Bulgaria's self-isolation within its own airspace, with its obsolete MiG-29s, in no way contributes to or helps improve compatibility, the Bulgarian Army's combat capabilities, or the acquisition of a new fighter jet, said here on Thursday President Rosen Plevneliev in his speech during the opening of the new school year at the G.S. Rakovski Military Academy.

"Certain media and political circles recently caused much commotion in Bulgaria regarding the Council of Ministers' decision for the joint air policing of this country's airspace by the Bulgarian and US air forces, which can soon be done with any other country that is member of NATO, Bulgaria's ally and partner. This commotion raises many questions, including for me as Head of State, about whose cause these politicians and media are serving," Plevneliev said.

The President recalled that enhancing the air policing of the member states from NATO's eastern flank, with allied forces on a rotational basis, was agreed on during the NATO Summit in Wales and reconfirmed in Warsaw. The Head of State thanked Parliament for the adoption of amendments to the Defence and Armed Forces Act, which settle the possibility for conducting joint air policing. He described this as being in the interest of the Bulgarian Army's modernization, compatibility, progress and development.

Commenting the upcoming presidential elections, Plevneliev said that each candidate will have to clearly state their values and make specific commitments about how they will deepen Bulgaria's EU and NATO integration, as well as how they will uphold Euro-atlantic values.

It is no secret that the number of politicians in Bulgaria who want to drive this country away from its course of Euro-atlantic development, is growing right now, Plevneliev said, adding that as President he is following this course uncompromisingly and with dedication, because he believes this to be the right path. "Our national ideal is an ideal for peace, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and freedoms - those are the Euro-atlantic values," he said. According to him, every politician, citizen and patriot should follow this direction of Bulgaria's development.



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