More Bulgarian troops to Afghanistan

Bulgaria: Bulgaria will increase its troops in Afghanistan from September 1, as a part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Government sources confirmed Thursday.

After receiving the green light from Parliament,the Government of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov approved sending about 65 additional soldiers for ISAF “operational activities” and as advisors in Kabul and Kandahar province, an official press release said.

The Defence Ministry recently announced its willingness to increase its troops in the occupied Central Asian nation to over 600 soldiers from the 530 involved since Bulgaria entered the NATO in 2004.

The news was made public after a visit by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to Sofia last May to discuss with Bulgarian authorities of its contribution to the new US-promoted strategy of remaining in Afghanistan.

The presence of the US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg confirmed Washington’s interest in strengthening relations with its Balkan ally, in keeping with US geopolitical priorities in South East Europe region.

Sofia, Prensa Latina