site.btaConcrete Parameters of Deploying NATO Forces, Equipment in Bulgaria Have Not Been Discussed - Minister

Concrete Parameters of  Deploying NATO Forces, Equipment in Bulgaria Have Not Been Discussed - Minister

Brussels/Sofia, February 11 (BTA) - Commenting on media publications that it has been agreed at the NATO defence ministerial that the Alliance will send airborne warning and control system (AWACS) and up to 1,000 servicemen to Bulgaria, Defence Minister Nikolai Nenchev, who participates in the forum, said the following on Wednesday, quoted by his Ministry's press centre:

"Possible commitment of AWACS and a specific number of servicemen to Bulgaria was not discussed at today's meeting. The publications contain figures and facts, which are not based on the discussions and the decisions taken so far.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's statements before the press and the discussions within the Alliance were related to the possibilities to enhance security in Eastern Europe.

It is a well-known fact that the NATO summit in Wales in 2014 took decisions for guaranteeing the security of the allies. After the escalation of the military actions in Syria, NATO responded positively to Turkey's request for strengthening security measures, including the use of AWACS."

Speaking to Bulgarian reporters in Brussels later on Thursday, Nenchev said that how NATO's decisions about enhanced presence at the Eastern borders of the Alliance affect Bulgaria is a matter that is yet to be discussed.

"There is no direct or immediate threat for any of the NATO member states. The security environment has deteriorated a lot which requires taking preventive measures in one form or another and enhanced forward presence in the eastern part of the Alliance," Nenchev said.

BTA's Brussels correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov contributed to this story.