site.btaPM Borissov: Moscow Should Not Experiment with Bulgaria's Friendly Feelings, There Are Diplomatic Channels for Coordinating Humanitarian Transport

PM Borissov: Moscow Should Not Experiment with Bulgaria's Friendly Feelings, There Are Diplomatic Channels for  Coordinating Humanitarian Transport

Sofia, September 13 (BTA) - Prime Minister Borissov Sunday expressed the hope that Moscow is not experimenting with Bulgaria's friendly feelings for Russia, and noted there are diplomatic channels for coordinating each humanitarian transport. He was speaking at a forum of his GERB party during which the formation presented its mayoral candidates for the October 25 local elections.

On September 8, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said it had refused to issue permits for flights through Bulgarian airspace of Russian military transport aircraft en route from the Russian Federation to Syria in the period between September 1 and 24, 2015 on the grounds of doubts about the purpose of the flights and the cargo transported. On September 9, Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said that Bulgaria would allow oveflight of Russian aircraft transporting humanitarian aid to Syria, provided that these undergo checks during a stopover at a Bulgarian airport. Meanwhile, it transpired that on September 7 a Russian military plane said to carry diplomats overflew Bulgaria by Foreign Ministry permission and unchecked.

Addressing GERB members and supporters, Borissov said that he himself ordered that Russian aircraft carrying humanitarian aid be allowed to pass through Bulgarian airspace. He was referring to the period prior to September 8.

In his words, several days ago he had a truly supreme challenge: the Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence reported to him that a plan has been presented for overflights of Russian military aircraft. "A decision had to be taken on what we should do in that situation. The dilemma was whether or not to fulfill what we have as a commitment [to defend the southern flank of NATO], with the clear knowledge that on the next day we would have to collect the remains of humans and aircraft in the Black Sea. I could not let this happen. I ordered that, if necessary, they should let them [the Russian aircraft] pass," Borissov explained. In his words, it is easier to reach an understanding with the NATO partners afterwards instead of them having to come and take pilots in coffins.

"We took this decision with the army's leadership but we should not be provoked because this is not a good example of goodneighbourliness and friendship," Borissov went on to say. "There are diplomatic channels through which every humanitarian transport can be coordinated and we will let it pass through," he added.

The PM also called for tolerance to migrants, adding that the fight against terrorism is one thing and humane attitude towards migrants - another.