site.btaRussian Diplomats Ask for Clarification about Bulgaria's Refusal to Grant Russia Access to Its Airspace

Russian Diplomats Ask for Clarification about Bulgaria's Refusal to Grant Russia Access to Its Airspace

Sofia, September 11 (BTA) - A meeting was held at Russia's request in the Foreign Ministry here between representatives of the Ministry's Consular Relations Directorate and diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Sofia. The Russian representatives have asked for clarification regarding Bulgaria's refusal to grant access to its airspace to Russian military transport aircraft in the period September 1-24, the Foreign Ministry said in a Friday press release.

The Russian side was given the relevant clarifications. The Bulgarian side used the meeting to present once again Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov's proposal to have Russian aircraft, transporting humanitarian aid to Syria, undergo checks during a stopover at a Bulgarian airport. Bulgaria has made a commitment to inspect the cargo as quickly as possible.

The Foreign Ministry once again adamantly rejects the suggestions made by the Russian Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson about Bulgaria's position. Bulgaria has not and does not plan to impede the passage through its territory of humanitarian aid for Syria and the Syrian people. Meanwhile, Bulgaria has legal international obligations, stemming from decisions made by the EU, to not allow the transporting of weapons for the regime in Syria.