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Coalition partners could not reach agreement on deal for new F-16 fighter jets

Kornelia Ninova
Photo: BGNES

The ministers of "BSP for Bulgaria" have left the meeting of the Council of Ministers, where the offer received from the USA for a second batch of eight F-16s and the progress of the negotiations were discussed. The news was reported to journalists by the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Kornelia Ninova. "We think that this conversation and decisions are now harmful for Bulgaria," said Ninova, quoted by BTA. According to her, in a period of economic and social crisis, it was absolutely unacceptable to discuss a new spending for eight F-16s. "The people need this money to survive the winter and to lead Bulgaria through the crisis," Ninova said.

The project for the purchase of more F-16 jets cannot be approved within the framework of this government and will have to be discussed by the caretaker cabinet, outgoing Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov told journalists. He expressed hope that there would be political will to complete the project, as it was important for the Bulgarian Air Force.

 Zakov added that the government agreed on the basis of extremely favourable conditions offered to Bulgaria.





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