Bulgarian Parliament Officially Approved U.S. Aircrafts

July 15, 2026 by Cup&Cross
Filed under Featured, Missions, News, Research

The Bulgarian Parliament Officially Approved U.S. Aircraft Deployment at Bezmer Base

The Bulgarian National Assembly approved the deployment of U.S. military tanker aircraft and personnel at Bezmer Air Base, authorizing support for American operations in the Middle East following a formal diplomatic request from Washington.

The resolution passed after nearly three hours of debate, with 135 lawmakers initially voting in favor, 13 against, and two abstaining. After “Revival” leader Kostadin Kostadinov requested a repeat vote, the proposal was approved again, receiving support from 124 deputies from Progressive Bulgaria and 15 from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS). One Progressive Bulgaria (PB) lawmaker voted against the measure, while two abstained. Twelve deputies from “Revival” opposed the resolution, while GERB, Democratic Bulgaria (DB), and We Continue the Change (PP) did not participate in the final vote.

The adopted resolution authorizes the temporary deployment of up to eight KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, as many as 250 U.S. military personnel with personal weapons and ammunition, and the necessary airport equipment at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 through October 1, 2026.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov attended the parliamentary session at the request of the opposition. Before the vote, lawmakers also rejected a proposal to broadcast the debate live on national television and radio.

Stoyanov described the decision as difficult but necessary, saying the government had acted to protect Bulgaria‘s national interests while maintaining transparency. He stressed that the deployment would not undermine Bulgaria‘s sovereignty because Parliament retained the authority to approve the number of aircraft, personnel, and the duration of their stay.

“This is one of those decisions that is not easy to make, but it is necessary at this moment,” the defense minister said.

He emphasized that the aircraft are intended exclusively for aerial refueling and logistical support, not combat missions. “No offensive weapons systems of any kind will be deployed on Bulgarian territory. Their temporary presence does not make Bulgaria a party to the military conflict,” Stoyanov said, adding that the government had secured guarantees from its strategic partner to minimize security risks and had taken additional national and allied measures to protect the country.

According to Stoyanov, the American request is based on the bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in 2006 and made indefinite in 2016. He added that any deviation from the parameters approved by Parliament would require fresh authorization from the Bulgarian authorities.

During the debate, Prime Minister Radev rejected accusations that his government was pursuing contradictory policies. He argued that previous governments had misled the public by describing the earlier deployment of tanker aircraft at Sofia Airport as part of a military exercise.

“The note we received this time was the real note,” Radev said. “The law requires that Parliament approve a request of this nature, and we are not hiding behind anyone. We are proposing the deployment of up to eight aircraft at Bezmer, not 15 aircraft at Sofia Airport.”

Radev also criticized the previous decision to station tanker aircraft at Sofia’s civilian airport alongside commercial passenger traffic. He argued that large military aircraft carrying significant amounts of fuel should never have been based so close to the capital and its busy terminals.

The prime minister referred to remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had publicly thanked Bulgaria for supporting U.S. operations in the Middle East. According to Radev, Rubio’s comments confirmed that the earlier deployment had not been linked solely to military exercises, as previously claimed.

Radev maintained that Bulgaria‘s broader foreign policy position had not changed. “I have been saying for years that the war in Ukraine has no military solution and that diplomacy and negotiations are the only path forward,” he told lawmakers. He insisted the government opposed expanding conflicts through additional weapons and funding while remaining committed to honoring Bulgaria‘s treaty obligations.

“If we want to be a reliable ally and an honest partner, we must honor the agreements we have signed. The United States is our main security ally. If we fail to meet our obligations, how can we expect them to meet theirs?” Radev said in his closing remarks.

The parliamentary debate exposed divisions across the political spectrum.

Former Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev of GERB criticized the government’s handling of the issue, arguing that Bulgaria should maintain a consistent foreign and defense policy. He accused the ruling majority of hypocrisy and political opportunism but said refusing support to an ally during a crisis would damage Bulgaria‘s credibility.

Tags: aircrafts, approved, Bulgarian, Featured, Missions, news, officially, parliament, Research

Masters of Chaplaincy in Bulgaria Approved

May 5, 2011 by Cup&Cross
Filed under Events, Featured, News

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After a thorough examination and countless hours of hard work toward its finalization, the Bulgarian Masters’ Program in Chaplaincy Ministry was finally approved by the educational board of the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute. The program currently has 20+ students who are approaching the final year of their studies with expected graduation in the spring of 2012. We have been heavily involved in the preparation and teaching of the program and will be lead instructors in the psychology and counseling module this fall.

History of Events
05/12 Anticipated Date for Graduation of the First Cohort of Master’s Program of Chaplaincy Ministry in Bulgaria

2011
09/11 – Master’s of Chaplaincy Ministry Program Module 3: Counceling Completed
07/11 – Master’s of Chaplaincy Ministry Program Module 2: Theology Completed
03/11 – Master’s of Chaplaincy Ministry Program approved by the Educational Committee of the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute
01/11 – Master’s of Chaplaincy Ministry Program Continues

2010
10/10 – Master’s of Chaplaincy Ministry Program Module 1: Chaplaincy Completed
09/10 Master’s of Chaplaincy Ministry Program begins in Sofia, Bulgaria
06/10 Chaplaincy Conference and Master’s of Chaplaincy for Bulgaria
01/10 Proposal masters program finalized and submitted for approval to the Educational Committee of the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute

2009
10/09 Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association holds an introductory chaplaincy course in Yambol, Bulgaria

2008
12/08 Family Seminar for Military Men and Women held in Yambol
11/08 Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association Annual Meeting
09/08 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Associations noted in Church of God publications
06/08 – The Case of a NATO Chaplaincy Model within the Bulgarian Army released
06/08 – Celebrating 10 Years of Military Ministry in Bulgaria

2007
10/07 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Associations Recognized by U.S. Department of State
07/07 – National Chaplaincy Conference in Yambol, Bulgaria
03/07 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association was officially registered
02/07 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association gains legal status
01/07 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Assassination noted by international religious freedom watch dog Forum 18

2006
12/06 – Registration Rejected Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association by Bulgarian court
11/06 – A master program in chaplaincy ministry has been proposed for the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute in Sofia
10/06 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association Founder’s Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria
10/06 – A contextualized course for chaplaincy ministry is offered at the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute in Sofia
08/06 – Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association’s Resolution No. 1 sets course toward chaplaincy in churches, education and government institutions
07/06 – National Chaplaincy Meeting in Yambol, Bulgaria
06/06 – Meeting with NATO Chaplains
05/06 – Cup & Cross Ministries submitted a research paper to NATO’s Manfred Wörner Foundation dealing with the case of underground chaplaincy within the Bulgarian Armed Forces
03/06 – A contextualized course for chaplaincy ministry was offered in Veliko Turnovo
02/06 – www.kapelanstvo.com was released to serve as the official website of the chaplaincy movement in Bulgaria

2005
10/05 – A national training seminar held in Veliko Turnovo
10/05 – The Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association was presented before the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance
09/05 – Regional meeting in Nova Zagora which addressed the current issues
08/05 – A regional chaplaincy meeting in Sliven
07/05 – Publication of camouflage New Testaments and Bibles, some of which we distributed to Bulgarian army personal including the divisions currently serving in Iraq

2004-2001