Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova told NOVA TV here on Monday that Moscow's demand for NATO to return to its borders from 1997 does not concern Bulgaria, because there are no military bases or strategic weapons targeting Russia in this country.

"The idea is not that the countries that joined NATO after 1997 should leave the Alliance. The idea is for military contingents, bases and strategic weapons to be extracted from countries who joined NATO after 1997. "This does not concern Bulgaria at all, because there are neither weapons nor strategic offensive weapons [in this country]," Mitrofanova said.

She added that Romania is somewhat affected by Russia's demands. "That is all it is about - not for Bulgaria to leave NATO or for Romania to leave NATO," she said, adding that each country has the sovereign right to chose the alliance that will guarantee its security.

According to the Mitrofanova, Bulgaria would become a target for Russia if military bases and strategic weapons that target Russia, are placed on its territory. This is not the case right now, so "you are not a target and your Government is right not to make extreme statetements regarding this".

The Russian diplomat does not believe that Bulgaria will be affected by possible sanctions against Russia, which could interfere with the natural gas supply. According to her, this does not affect Bulgaria at all, because Russia has always been a reliable supplier. MY