The conflict in the Middle East cannot be to grow into a military form within our borders, but the point is that the refugee flows will immediately reach us. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov in the program "On Focus" on NOVA, quoted by BTA.
He pointed out that about 1 million people have left their homes in Lebanon. "These are the potential refugee flows," Zapryanov believes. He repeated again that there is no direct military danger for Bulgaria. Our services and our strategic intelligence work on a 24-hour basis, I receive information constantly, the Acting Minister of Defense explained. We are carefully monitoring the situation in the Middle East, Zapryanov pointed out and added that the situation there will escalate.
All Bulgarian citizens who have expressed a desire to evacuate from Lebanon have already been evacuated, the caretaker minister said. He explained that each flight involved extremely complex coordination between many institutions both nationally and internationally. Zapryanov also said that part of Bulgaria's diplomatic staff remained there to coordinate and inform about the situation. "If necessary, we will have someone to welcome people who want to evacuate," he added.
The acting defense minister was adamant that complicating the situation in the Middle East is in Russia's interest. There is evidence that she helped this escalation, added Zapryanov. He pointed out that he is not worried about Russia's attitude towards Bulgaria, because we are part of NATO and the European Union. We follow a common security and defense policy of the EU and collective defense in NATO. Bulgaria does not threaten Russia with anything, but the opposite is true, Zapryanov also said.
He also commented on the Advisory Council for National Security, pointing out that Bulgaria does not need to bring in a higher level of troops, but it must be in available composition and strengthened along the borders. "We do not need to bring the troops to a higher level of readiness because of the conflict in the Middle East, but the army must be staffed," Zapryanov pointed out.
The official minister of defense announced that the analysis of the data from the “black box“ of the L-39 plane, which killed two military pilots, will be ready in the middle of the month. There will also be a prepared and signed report with conclusions and findings. We are checking the overall preparation of the planning and conduct of the flight crew, the official minister pointed out. "I want a complex assessment and a complex investigation, and accordingly, whoever made a mistake will have to bear the consequences," said Atanas Zapryanov and added that it is possible to release persons holding command positions.
The official minister also commented on the floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, indicating that the Ministry of Defense is in constant contact. The situation is very difficult, detached settlements, lack of bridges, destroyed roads, explained Zapryanov. We are now assessing whether we can participate in the restoration of road infrastructure with engineering forces, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assessing whether it is possible to prepare another type of humanitarian aid, the acting minister also explained.