Bulgaria will allow United States military aircraft to remain in the country only until the end of June after Washington failed to approve visa-free travel for Bulgarian citizens, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on Friday.
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According to Bulgarian media reports, Radev said Sofia had repeatedly raised the issue of lifting visa requirements for Bulgarian nationals during discussions with the United States but had not yet received a positive response.
The prime minister acknowledged the complexity of the American administrative process but stressed that Bulgaria also has its own national priorities and procedures to consider.
Radev stated that the Bulgarian government could not support a prolonged deployment of U.S. aircraft and tanker operations at Sofia Airport under the current circumstances.
He said the government would approve an extension of the aircraft’s stay only until the end of June, giving allied forces time to review their plans and make alternative arrangements.
Bulgaria currently hosts U.S. military aircraft in the capital, Sofia, under an agreement that was initially set to expire at the end of May.
Radev also referred to recent communication with the U.S. president regarding the visa issue, reiterating Bulgaria’s expectation for progress on visa-free access for its citizens.
The development comes as Bulgaria continues to balance its commitments as a NATO member with domestic political and strategic considerations.
