site.btaSocialist Leader Zafirov: Planned Agreement on Security Cooperation between Bulgaria and Ukraine Borders on Treason

In an official position published by BSP-United Left's press centre, coalition leader Atanas Zafirov said that the planned agreement on security cooperation between Bulgaria and Ukraine borders on betrayal of national interests. "A government for which no one voted, appointed on the basis of anti-constitutional amendments to the Constitution, has no right to bind our country to such long-term commitments that are in gross contradiction with national interests," he argued.

Zafirov was referring to an agreement which was approved by the Council of Ministers on November 27. No official information has been provided by the authorities about an upcoming signing of that agreement, which the government information service described at the time as representing a political commitment to continued support for Ukraine. According to BSP-United Left's information, the agreement will be signed by caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev on December 19.

"With this agreement, Bulgaria makes a 10-year commitment to Ukraine for political, economic and social assistance to Ukrainian refugees displaced on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, training of military personnel and continued military assistance," Zafirov said. "At a time when voices for peace are growing stronger around the world and, albeit reluctantly, the global geopolitical status quo has begun to accept the idea of ​​a ceasefire, defending and advancing such an agreement is playing with fire. This is a mockery of the interests of the Bulgarian people, because once again the people are being served a policy that has been prepared abroad," he added.

Such an agreement inflames the conflict, rather than contributing to its cessation and the achievement of lasting peace, Zafirov argued. Such a comprehensive agreement is beyond the competence of a single cabinet.

Zafirov said that the Bulgarian left will never accept this and will not give a minute of peace to the political figures who are pushing Bulgaria in such a direction. "We will demand answers and will use all our strength to prevent this agreement from entering into force," the Socialist leader said.