Bulgaria would not join a proposed strengthening of NATO presense aimed to counter Russian forces in the Black Sea, the country's Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said on 16 June as he "did not want a war there."
"I always say that I want the Black Sea to see sailboats, yachts, large boats with tourists and not become an arena of military action," Borisov said at a joint press conference with President Rosen Plevneliev, according to Reuters reports.
"Let's stop with the speculations that fleets will be set up against anyone," President Plevneliev added. "Bulgaria is a peaceful country and its foreign policy is not aimed at anyone."
Turkey and Romania, the two other NATO members along the Black Sea coast, have called for the NATO fleet and more alliance troops in an area important for both East and West given its energy reserves and closeness to the Middle East.
A senior Russian diplomat on Wednesday warned NATO not to build up its naval forces in the Black Sea, saying such a move would undermine regional security and Moscow's already frayed ties with the alliance.
Turkey and Romania, the two other NATO members along the Black Sea coast, have called for the NATO fleet and more alliance troops in an area important for both East and West given its energy reserves and closeness to the Middle East.