President Yotova: Deployment of US Aircraft at Bezmer Does Not Make Bulgaria Part of Iran Conflict

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova said that the possible deployment of US tanker aircraft at Bezmer airbase would not mean Bulgaria is becoming involved in military operations connected with the conflict in Iran. She commented on the issue during a visit to the Graf Ignatievo airbase, where she inspected preparations related to Bulgaria’s new F-16 fighter jets.

Yotova stressed that any decision regarding the presence of foreign military aircraft and personnel on Bulgarian territory must be approved by the National Assembly, as required by law. She said the government is currently following the necessary procedure by referring the matter to parliament.

“It must necessarily go through a decision of the National Assembly, because that is the law. The government is currently implementing the law,” the president said.

She compared the current situation with the previous deployment of American tanker aircraft at Sofia Airport, saying that the authorities had handled the matter differently in the past. According to her, when she first became president, she had not been informed by the defense minister, the chief of defense or the Ministry of Defense that the aircraft had arrived.

Yotova also noted that the previous government had not made the official request public, leaving unclear what commitments were expected from Bulgaria and what conditions had been set.

“In the previous cabinet, the note was never made public, so that we could see what the commitments were and what the demands were on the Bulgarian state,” she said.

The president emphasized that this time the process is more transparent, saying she had been informed about the content of the US request before it was officially received and that the government intends to submit the issue to parliament. She added that the relevant parliamentary committee was also expected to discuss the matter.

Regarding concerns that the deployment could link Bulgaria to US military actions in the Middle East, Yotova said the planned aircraft would not conduct operations in Bulgarian airspace.

“Personally, I hope that there will be a ceasefire soon, that the hostilities will not expand. As far as I understand, there will be tanker planes again, which will not carry out any actions in Bulgarian airspace,” she said.

The president added that the details of the request should be examined carefully before any conclusions are drawn.

“Let’s see exactly what the demands are outside the context of the note,” Yotova stated.

During her visit to Graf Ignatievo, Yotova also spoke about the need to strengthen Bulgaria’s air capabilities. She said the country needs new aircraft and better conditions for military personnel working at the base.

The president said she hoped that funding needed for the development of the airbase would be included in the next regular state budget for 2027.

“This is part of the elite of the Bulgarian army and people on whom our security largely depends, in connection with the conflicts that literally surround us from everywhere,” Yotova said.

She added that decisions on additional aircraft acquisitions should be based on military expertise and Bulgaria’s financial capabilities, expressing hope that solutions would be found quickly.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) opposed the government’s proposal to allow the presence of US military aircraft and personnel in Bulgaria, arguing that such a move could involve the country in a foreign military conflict.

In a position sent to the media, the party called on lawmakers to reject the draft resolution submitted by the Council of Ministers to the National Assembly.

The BSP said it consistently opposes the use of force as a way to resolve international disputes and argued that conflicts should be addressed through diplomacy and international organizations.

“The Bulgarian Socialist Party consistently opposes war as a means of resolving international disputes. Our principle is that the use of force outside the framework of international law cannot and should not be supported in any way,” the party stated.

According to the BSP, Bulgaria’s main priority should be avoiding involvement in military conflicts and preventing the country from becoming a potential target of military action.

“It is of paramount importance for us that Bulgaria is not involved in any form in wars and that no risks are allowed that our country is considered an object of military action,” the party said.

The issue of whether to allow up to eight US tanker aircraft, American military personnel and related equipment to operate from Bezmer airbase is expected to be considered by the National Assembly, with the Defense Committee set to examine the proposal before lawmakers make a final decision.