Talking to reporters after the official inauguration ceremony of President Rumen Radev and Vice President Iliana Yotova, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov stated that he does not believe in zones of influence. In his words, it is very important for small countries like Bulgaria to have plenary power to decide their own destiny and their own memberships, and what happens on their territory. “We place Bulgaria’s sovereignty above all else,” PM Petkov said in answer to a question how he interprets Russia’s demand for the withdrawal of the NATO forces from Bulgaria.

• Russia's security proposals include the withdrawal of NATO forces from Bulgaria and Romania

Kiril Petkov stated that everyone should be very careful what statements they make and that this kind of rhetoric does nothing to help eliminate the escalation of tension, BTA reports.

The issue was also commented by Minister of Defence Stefan Yanev who pointed out that statements of this kind are made all the time and we should not be so sensitive when someone is talking about us. He stated that preparations for a military presence, for any additional strengthening of this military presence, the demonstration of NATO unity and solidarity on Bulgarian territory will be carried out if the need arises and when a political decision to this effect is made, with Bulgarian armed forces.

• Spanish Eurofighter aircraft to guard Bulgaria’s airspace

Stefan Yanev confirmed the news that aircraft from Spain and the Netherlands will carry out joint air policing over Bulgaria, in the way that training and completion of assignments of this kind has already been done.