site.btaVazrazhdane Moves for Bulgaria's Exit from NATO

The nationalist Vazrazhdane has moved for Bulgaria's exit from NATO. Their proposed law repeals the law on the ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on April 4, 1949 in Washington, adopted by the 39th National Assembly on March 18, 2004.

They argue that the NATO membership is harmful to defence and armaments, and is becoming increasingly dangerous for Bulgaria's sovereignty and national security.

The reasoning to the bill also says that NATO's actions completely contradict the objectives stated in Article 1 of the Treaty, which says that the parties to the NATO Treaty shall settle any international dispute in which they may find themselves involved by peaceful means and in a manner not prejudicial to international peace, security and justice, and shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

According to Vazrazhdane, Bulgaria’s membership in NATO has ensured the humiliating deployment of US military bases in Bulgaria, covertly called “Bulgarian military bases for joint use”. In the 20 years of NATO membership Bulgaria has suffered only losses, its defence system is currently in an unprecedented state of decline, and cooperation remains an unfulfilled wish on paper, according to the party.

The end of March marks the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO. According to data in the annual report of the pact's secretary-general presented on Thursday, a majority of Bulgarians (56%) say they would vote to stay in NATO, while 28% of people in the country would vote to leave the alliance, an opinion poll shows. According to 59% of Bulgarians, NATO protects this country, while 19% are of the opposite opinion.