The U.S. requests to deploy tankers in Bulgaria to support Middle East conflicts.

Xinhua News Agency, Sofia, July 20 (Reporter Zhou Hailun) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Radev stated on the 20th that the Bulgarian government has received a request from the United States to deploy up to 8 refueling aircraft at the Bezmer Air Base in Bulgaria, which will be submitted to parliament for approval.

Radev indicated that the government received this request from the U.S. on the 17th, aimed at supporting military operations in the Middle East. The U.S. cited the defense cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in 2006. This agreement allows U.S. military forces to use bases in Bulgaria, including the Bezmer Air Base.

Radev mentioned that although the U.S. made an urgent request for deployment, the Bulgarian government has not yet approved it, as such decisions must be made by parliament according to Bulgarian law. The government will propose to parliament to allow these refueling aircraft to be deployed at the Bezmer Air Base.

Radev noted that U.S. refueling aircraft were deployed at Sofia Airport in February this year, and the then Bulgarian government permitted this bypassing parliament. Subsequently, the caretaker cabinet extended the stay of the U.S. refueling aircraft. At the end of May, due to the U.S. not providing the desired positive response regarding Bulgarian citizens' visa issues for entering the United States, the new government led by Radev shortened the authorization period to June 30. U.S. military aircraft withdrew at the end of June.