Bulgaria prepared to host any elements of NATO missile shield: PM

 Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said here on Monday that his country is prepared to host any components from the long term NATO missile defense program.

"As a NATO member, our position is quite clear: our only requirement will be the missile shield to cover the entire territory of Bulgaria," Borissov told the plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Thereafter, in which countries what gear to become based, it depends solely on the technical and strategic decisions of the Alliance, Borissov said.

The Draft Basic Report titled "Missile Defence: the Way Ahead for NATO" released right here on Monday stated that the place preferred by U.S. officials for the radar installation is Turkey, provided its geographic proximity to potential threats.

Nevertheless, the report stated that Pentagon officials are reportedly negotiating with other NATO Allies in southern Europe to host the radar, should a Turkish location ultimately prove not possible.

"One option is Bulgaria which, like Turkey, borders the Black Sea, but is farther from Iran," the report stated.Bulgaria prepared to host any components of NATO missile shield: PM
English.news.cn 2011-05-30 21:18:48 FeedbackPrintRSS
GOLDEN SANDS, Bulgaria, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said here on Monday that his nation is ready to host any components with the long term NATO missile defense program.

"As a NATO member, our position is quite clear: our only requirement will be the missile shield to cover the whole territory of Bulgaria," Borissov told the plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Thereafter, in which countries what equipment to become based, it depends solely on the technical and strategic choices of the Alliance, Borissov said.

The Draft Common Report titled "Missile Defence: the Way Ahead for NATO" released here on Monday stated that the location preferred by U.S. officials for the radar installation is Turkey, offered its geographic proximity to potential threats.

Nevertheless, the report said that Pentagon officials are reportedly negotiating with other NATO Allies in southern Europe to host the radar, ought to a Turkish place ultimately prove not possible.

"One alternative is Bulgaria which, like Turkey, borders the Black Sea, but is farther from Iran," the report said.

Posted in: Bulgaria prepared to host any elements of NATO missile shield: PM