site.btaForeign Minister Calls "Utterly Unacceptable" Comment by Russia's Rogozin on Sofia's Warplanes Purchase Plans

112 - POLITICS - DEFENCE - RUSSIA - JETS - amplified

Foreign Minister Calls "Utterly Unacceptable"
Comment by Russia's Rogozin on
Sofia's Warplanes Purchase Plans

Sofia, October 8 (BTA) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov
Wednesday called "utterly unacceptable" a a remark by Russian
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin regarding Sofia's plans to
purchase US-made fighter aircraft and replace its fleet of
outdated Russian warplanes. "Bulgaria is a sovereign state that
takes independent decisions related to its security. They are
not subject to review by senior representatives of other
countries," Mitov said as quoted by his Ministry press office.

Rogozin tweeted earlier on Wednesday that "a certain Shalamanov
convinced Prime Minister Bliznashki to betray Russia yet again".
He was referring to Bulgarian Defence Minister Velizar
Shalamanov.

Mitov goes on to say that the qualifications made by Dmitry
Rogozin addressing the Bulgarian Minister of Defense are
"completely disrespectful". "Regardless the chosen form and
means of communication, they are contrary to good manners and
unfortunately demonstrate lack of respect for the Bulgarian
state and institutions," the statement goes.

"As regards the implicit accusations of disloyalty, I would like
to remind their authors that the Republic of Bulgaria is a
member of the EU and NATO and it does not owe explanations for
its sovereign decisions to third parties. The Bulgarian
government owes loyalty only to its citizens and the countryТs
national interests," Mitov says.

He goes on to say that the relations between Bulgaria and Russia
have a long historical tradition and Bulgaria continues to
support the development of the cooperation with Russia based on
equality and mutual interest. "Comments such as that of Mr.
Rogozin do not contribute to such development," Mitov concludes.