The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a position, posted on Facebook, regarding Russia’s demand that NATO withdraw its military forces from Bulgaria and Romania.

The Foreign Ministry states that under decision No. 1 of the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria from 4 February, 2003, the troops of a political or military alliance of countries members of this alliance or allied countries, by force of an international treaty which has been ratified, promulgated and which has come into force for the Republic of Bulgaria of a political or military nature, do not constitute foreign troops under the Constitution, if their passage or stay on the territory of the country is connected with the fulfilment of allied commitments.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry calls on the Russian Federation to remain committed to a constructive dialogue with the countries members of NATO in the NATO-Russia Council, aimed at the future of a more united and more secure Europe, based on rule of law and the strict implementation of the international commitments assumed. “The current crisis in the security architecture of Europe, as well as the crisis in and around Ukraine should be resolved by diplomatic means and dialogue,” the position reads.

The Ministry of Defence also issued a statement, noting that it would be difficult to interpret the position of the Russian Foreign Ministry as a positive sign in the context of the intensive diplomatic efforts towards bringing down tension along NATO’s Eastern flank. “If the Russian Federation has worries about its own security, which concern Bulgaria, they should be presented, including at a bilateral level. Far from being constructive, an approach using ultimatums would lead to further escalation which no one ultimately has an interest in,” the Defence Ministry’s position reads.