Bulgaria will open its airspace to Ukraine – EURACTIV.fr

The ruling majority in the Bulgarian parliament agreed to open its airspace to Ukraine to train pilots of its American F-16 fighter jets, according to a draft resolution proposed by the heads of the three formations supporting the government.

one of Eight points A draft resolution proposed by the leaders of the three parties supporting the government, the coalition PP-DB (We Continue Change/PP-Democratic Bulgaria/DB), GERB (Citizens for European Development in Bulgaria) and DPS (Movement of Bulgarians). rights and freedoms) as follows: “The government should ensure that Bulgaria joins and contributes, in accordance with its capabilities, to the coalition of countries aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force to use F-16 aircraft, including conducting joint exercises and using the country’s airspace.

All three political groups support the draft resolution, and it should be adopted without a problem, despite expected resistance from the pro-Russian Bulgarian Socialist Party and Vazrazdani, which recently requested a motion of no confidence in Nikolai Denkov’s government. Their move was also motivated by a review of the government’s position on sending military aid to Ukraine.

The draft resolution also proposes that the Council of Ministers enter into negotiations with NATO member governments for the deployment of coastal anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile systems, in order to strengthen Bulgaria’s defense capabilities.

The text also states that Bulgaria will submit to Ukraine “Defective, inoperable or redundant anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as anti-aircraft missiles of various types.”

The draft resolution expects the government to request compensation for these costs from several European Union funds.

It is also proposed to allow up to four infantry or mechanized companies of the Ukrainian Army, numbering up to 160 soldiers, to reside on Bulgarian territory annually for combat training.