August 20 (BTA) - Speaking in Parliament on Friday, caretaker Defence Minister Georgi Panayotov said that the final decision about when, under what conditions and at what price Bulgaria will complete its squadron of F-16 fighter jets is within the powers of the National Assembly solely. Panayotov made the remarks in connection with debates with regard to an MP question about the implementation of the programme for the development of the defence capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces by 2032 and an assessment of the programme's implementation in 2020.

In 2019 Bulgaria ordered and paid for eight F-16 jet fighters. According to the project, this country is to purchase eight more such aircraft.

The Minister said that he wanted to speak in connection with false allegations made including from the rostrum in Parliament and later circulated by Bulgarian media.

"The caretaker government and I in my capacity as defence minister have been accused that we are holding negotiations for the acquisition of F 16 fighter jets," he said, adding that neither the caretaker government or the Defence Ministry are negotiating on the purchase of new F-16 fighter jets.

Recent media reports claimed that question have been raised whether Bulgaria is secretly ordering more F-16 jet fighters from the US.

In a statement in Parliament Thursday, MP Hristo Gadjev (GERB-UDF) said that the caretaker government is secretly advancing the procedure for acquisition of one more batch of eight F-18 fighters in addition to those that have already been ordered. He said the government has requested a binding offer with prices and delivery dates, which is essentially a draft agreement that will then be moved to Parliament to be approved.

In Parliament Panayotov set out the steps in the procedure for the purchase of the already ordered jet fighters and what remains to be done.

"In early 2019 four agreements were signed between the governments of Bulgaria and the US for the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets, equipment and armament. Observing the deadlines, set by the 43rd and 44th legislatures, for the acquisition of a total of 16 aircraft, the Defence Ministry continues the preparations for the implementation of the second stage of the project. Which is why the only possible approach now is to send an enquiry and upon receiving a reply from the US which would take between six and eight months, a project for investment expenditures may be prepared with detailed parameters including price, scope, manner of payment, installment amounts and the deadlines for delivery," said the Minister.

In case Parliament approves the project for investment expenditures, then an agreement can be signed, which will be implemented following a ratification by Parliament.

"In this case the Defence Ministry has sent a letter of enquiry to obtain additional information. Without this information the National Assembly cannot make the decision whether to buy another eight F-16 aircraft," said Panayotov.

Voting 115-40, with six abstentions, Parliament tasked the Council of Ministers with preparing an assessment of the Programme for the Development of the Defence Capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces 2020.

The Council of Ministers has two months to submit the assessment for adoption in Parliament together with conclusions and recommendations for addressing the identified issues. ZH/PP