site.btaStryker Armoured Vehicles Not to Be Purchased without Parliament's Ratification - Defence Minister

There are no issues with the decision of the Council of Ministers to approve the purchase of Stryker armoured vehicles, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said during the second edition of the conference "Technologies against Disinformation 2.0" on Tuesday. Tagarev’s comment came as a response to a statement of GERB leader Boyko Borissov. On November 2, during a visit to the north-central city of Lovech, Borissov criticized the government’s decision to approve the purchase without Parliament's explicit decision.

Tagarev assured that the Cabinet had acted as quickly as possible, the draft investment expenditure had been submitted to the National Assembly and had been approved as a matter of urgency by Parliament's Defence Committee and Committee on Budget and Finance.

“Last week, the Council of Ministers decided to approve one of the contracts for the implementation of this project and to determine who will sign it, so as not to waste technological time. Thus, the moment the National Assembly approves the investment expenditure project, we will sing the contract, which is subject to ratification by Parliament. This contract will not be signed without a decision of the National Assembly approving the draft investment expenditure”, Tagarev explained.

There are no violations in the actions of the government. The Cabinet is working to complete the purchase of Stryker armoured vehicles in 2023. If the project is not approved by the National Assembly, it will not be implemented, Tagarev said, voicing hope that Parliament will discuss the ratification of the contract in early December.

Commenting on the defence budget, the minister said that the budgetary macro framework ensures the fulfilment of Bulgaria's commitment to reach 2% of GDP for defence in 2024. Tagarev added that salaries of employees in the sector have already been increased by 10% and another increase is envisaged for 2024. In his words, the funds for the Stryker armoured vehicles will be provided by the defence budget on a staggered payment until 2027.