Sanaa: Bulgaria's government is set to request parliamentary approval for the deployment of up to eight US aerial refueling aircraft at Bezmer Air Base, as announced by Prime Minister Rumen Radev. This development follows a request from Washington to aid operations in the Middle East.

According to Anadolu Agency, the US Embassy submitted a diplomatic note on June 17, invoking the 2006 Defense Cooperation Agreement between Bulgaria and the United States. Radev revealed this information during the annual conference of Bulgarian ambassadors in Sofia. The Council of Ministers is anticipated to approve a proposal later today to forward the request to the National Assembly for authorization.

Radev highlighted that despite Bezmer Air Base being a joint-use facility under the defense agreement, Bulgarian law mandates parliamentary approval for foreign military deployments. "Despite the urgent nature of the request, we have not yet taken a decision because, under Bulgarian law, such authorization must be granted by Parliament," he stated.

The prime minister also criticized the previous government for its handling of a similar deployment earlier this year, when US Air Force refueling aircraft were stationed at Sofia Airport. He pointed out that the previous administration approved the deployment without parliamentary consent, misrepresented its nature, and attempted to keep it hidden from public scrutiny.

Radev described the current government's approach as part of a broader strategy to balance allied commitments with Bulgaria's national interests.