Parliament approves stationing of U.S. tanker aircraft at Bezmer

Bulgaria's parliament has approved the stationing of U.S. aerial refuelling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base.

The approval, requested by the government following a diplomatic note from the United States, was backed by Progressive Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS). GERB-SDS, Democratic Bulgaria and We Continue the Change did not take part in the vote, while Vazrazhdane voted against.

"If we want to be a reliable ally and an honest partner, we must honour our agreements. The United States is our main security ally," Prime Minister Rumen Radev told lawmakers ahead of the vote, as quoted by BGNES.

Earlier on Wednesday, at the start of the cabinet meeting, Radev stressed that "it is categorically out of the question for military operations in the Middle East to be conducted from Bulgarian territory. These tanker aircraft are solely intended for logistical missions and aerial refuelling outside Bulgarian airspace."

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Editor: Miglena Ivanova