Bulgaria is discussing a response to Russia’s provocations – both independently and with NATO allies, Todor Tagarev said.
Bulgaria is discussing with NATO allies how to respond to Russia’s partial blockade of the Black Sea’s exclusive economic zone. This is what the country’s Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said in an interview with Euractiv.
Russia has declared part of the Bulgarian economic zone in the Black Sea closed to shipping until the end of September because of military exercises in the area – an action Bulgaria considers a provocation, Tagarev said.
In this regard, Bulgaria is discussing a response to these provocations – both independently and with NATO allies, the official explained.
At the same time, the minister added that official Sofia does not create any scenarios in the event of a Russian attack on cargo ships traveling from Ukrainian ports through Bulgarian waters or in the economic zone in the Black Sea, because there is no such danger yet.
“There is currently no immediate danger or threat of an attack on a merchant ship sailing in the territorial sea of a NATO member country. These waters are under the sovereignty of each coastal state and are part of the state’s territory .An attack on the territorial sea can be considered an attack on the Republic of Bulgaria and NATO as a whole,” the ministry emphasized.
They also noted that the navies of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey continue to carry out tasks with their own forces and means to ensure the safety of merchant ships passing through the Black Sea.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense also said that additional measures to ensure the safety of navigation in economic zones “can only be ensured by NATO actions in accordance with the UN Charter and international maritime law, in coordination with other more partners in the region.”
We remind you that the National Assembly of Bulgaria has decided to support the lifting of the ban on the import of agricultural products of Ukraine after September 15.
Earlier, the media reported that Bulgaria would not extend the ban on grain imports from Ukraine. The corresponding decision was supported by the economic commission of the Bulgarian parliament.
New Correspondent.net on Telegram. Subscribe to our channel Athletistic
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.