Iran's note to Bulgaria is definitely normal diplomatic practice in a period of crisis. It is not a threat, but a warning. We have a dialogue and inviolable relations with Tehran, we have repeatedly assured them of the real facts - we are not participating in the war, no combat aircraft fly over our airspace and there is no refueling on our territory. The note has not been made public because there is no automatic diplomatic practice for this, and there is no change in circumstances. Its release would have created fear in society. An election campaign is currently underway in which everything is used, including topics related to national security. This was stated by the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nadezhda Neynski on the air of “Hello, Bulgaria“.
The comment was prompted by a claim by “There is such a people“ about a diplomatic note received but not distributed by the government from Iran. It expresses a protest against the deployment of American transport aircraft at the airport in Sofia. Subsequently, the formation met with the president and requested the convening of the KSNS, but this request was denied due to the lack of a real danger to Bulgaria.
According to the minister, the American aircraft in our country are part of an agreement for training activities within NATO. “We invited the Iranian ambassador to a meeting at the Foreign Ministry and we hope that he will meet with the director of the “Middle East“ directorate, at which we will once again clearly clarify the commitments we have made through the note in question. There is nothing hidden. There is no change in circumstances. The Iranian diplomatic note does not indicate any new decisions that Bulgaria has taken, its text is standard for this type of communication. Our commitment covers only Bulgarian territory, the planes that leave from here can return to the USA and to American bases. In Bulgaria, they are not related to combat operations. It is very important for us to have intact diplomatic relations with Iran and to conduct a constant dialogue with them“, explained Neynski.
According to her, technical parameters have necessitated the use of the “Vasil Levski“ airport. “We believe that there is no need to renegotiate the terms of our agreement with the US, because the planes provide additional security at the capital's airport, because they are very seriously guarded“, added Neynski.
We recall that yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raykov denied that the Iranian note contained a threat and stressed that our relations with Tehran remain normal and diplomatically intact. He reiterated that the American planes at the Sofia airport are part of a NATO exercise.
The United Kingdom has invited 35 countries, including Bulgaria, but without the US, to discuss the possibilities of opening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital sea route for oil and gas, which has been blocked by Iran.
“This is categorically not an invitation for a military operation. We do not have the potential to open the strait. We are part of NATO, we strive to be an authoritative member, because it is a matter of security. Bulgaria will not participate in a military coalition to clear the Strait of Hormuz, because we do not have the capabilities to do so. I will participate in the conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to get acquainted with the circumstances and the situation“, said Nejnski.
The 10-year agreement with Ukraine
“This agreement is not under the Vienna Convention, ratification by parliament is not required. This is a memorandum, a political framework that is the subject of work by several successive governments. It does not entail any legal obligations for Bulgaria, it only provides opportunities for development and job creation. Every individual act regarding Ukraine will always go through parliament. If the National Assembly has questions, it can call ministers to tell us the details, there is nothing hidden“, explained the Foreign Minister.