Jens Stoltenberg: Tanks in Bulgaria are Deployed by US, not NATO

NATO would not do anything in Bulgaria unless the country specifically demands that. That was the statement made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Tuesday in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio.

The decision for the dislocation of heavy weaponry to Bulgaria has been made by the US and not by NATO.

Stoltenberg added that Bulgaria is free to decide what kind of NATO military forces it requires. All Eastern European allies have requested a strengthened military presence, including Bulgaria. That will involve both more military trainings as well as the command center that will be located in the country. It will consist of 40 employees, half of which will be Bulgarian officers.

A total of 14 US tanks will be located in the country but there will be no permanent military presence.

Stoltenberg noted that he sees no imminent danger for Bulgaria coming from Russia and said that NATO is not aiming at acting provocatively. He added that the alliance's main aim is defense and not military attacks.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has announced that Bulgaria has agreed to host some of the military equipment that the US will be dislocating to Eastern and central Europe. He explained that Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania have pledged their participation.

In response, Bulgarian Defense Minister Nenchev said that no such request has been received.

Later, he explained that the military units will be only temporarily deployed in Bulgaria and will then be moved to other NATO centers, adding that the country will take care of its own airspace.