They accept the deputies of the Committee on Foreign Policy and the Committee on Defense the two draft decisions on the provision of military-technical assistance to Ukraine.
Members of an external committee voted with 12 votes in favor, 4 against and no abstention.
Lawmakers of the military commission voted with 11 votes in favor, 4 against and no abstention.
The chairman of the external commission Ekaterina Zaharieva updated at 5 pm to prepare the general draft decision. The head of the military commission, Hristo Gadjev announced a 5-minute break so that line defense committee parliamentarians could discuss a draft decision on the adoption of the investment spending project “Acquisition of a new type of fighter aircraft” – second phase.
For the surplus of old Soviet weapons and equipment, object of sale, the Ukrainian side has not expressed any interest. This was stated by the minister of defense in charge Dimitar Stoyanov during the meeting of the competent parliamentary committee, which is held jointly with the foreign policy committee. It became clear from his words that The Ministry of Defense strictly implements the decision adopted by the 47th National Assembly – provide assistance to Ukraine. The Defense Ministry believes that the parliament’s decision is legitimate, but it must be preceded by a detailed analysis, which is currently lacking, Stoyanov pointed out.
Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov he added that the national commitment, valid as art. 4 of the Atlantic Treaty, which obliges all countries to increase their defense capabilities. We need to focus on increasing our defense capabilities, Milkov insisted.
For assistance to Ukraine was discussed as early as spring 2021., recalled Milkov. After the start of the the active phase of hostilities the political phase of the war has entered a new phase – where member states can provide military-technical assistance to Ukraine, he stressed and added that the assistance provided is on a national basis.
Shortly before of “Vazrazhdane” insisted on postponing the two projects decisions on military-technical support to Ukraine (from GERB and democratic Bulgaria), because there is no analysis, sufficient information and such a decision would be incomplete and would not take into account everything that the Ministry of Defense has in mind. GERB’s Daniel Mitov retorted that the points should be considered today.
Christian Vigenin, BSP, fears that such a serious decision should not only be taken for a political purpose, but security elements – internal and external – must be considered and believes that the points should be postponed until next week when services are invited. Nothing guarantees such urgency and such a postponement will allow parliamentarians to prepare much better. Finally, after the vote of the deputies of the two committees for foreign policy and defense, the representatives of the people decided to consider the points for providing technical-military assistance to Ukraine.
They accept the deputies of the Committee on Foreign Policy and the Committee on Defense general draft decision on sending military aid to Ukraine. The people’s representatives of an external commission voted with 12 votes in favor, 4 against and no abstention.
Defense committee lawmakers voted 12 in favor, 4 against and no abstention.
Here’s what it says:
- The Council of Ministers, within a maximum period of one month, submits to the National Assembly a draft decision on the provision of military and military technical support to Ukraine as a contribution to the overall efforts of the international community to assist the victim of aggression in accordance with the capabilities. Bulgarian and ensuring the safety and protection of the population.
- The Council of Ministers should soon organize the signing of agreements for the supply of the necessary military equipment, taking into account the Bulgarian capabilities.
- Let the Council of Ministers conduct negotiations with the governments of NATO allies to acquire, provide or deploy capabilities to replace or upgrade our defense capabilities to enable the expedited disposal of obsolete Soviet weapons and equipment.
- The Council of Ministers in the framework of joint EU efforts to identify and propose to the National Assembly a package of measures for the interaction and support of Ukraine in the recovery of the country’s economy, infrastructure and energy.
- As part of the provision of military and technical support to Ukraine, instructs the Council of Ministers to take all necessary actions by 11.10.2022 to declare Bulgaria’s readiness to contribute to the EU mission to assist Ukraine.
- The EC in support of Ukraine’s legal action against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights for violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. Also to support the efforts of the international community to investigate war crimes committed by the Russian army on the territory of Ukraine.
