Ambassador: Bulgaria's Part in US Missile Shield Hangs 'in the Air'

The US Ambassador to Bulgaria, James Warlick, has stated that the only discussions between the US and Bulgaria on the missile defense shield were held informally within NATO.

Warlick confirmed that no elements of the missile shield can currently be located in Bulgaria and that there have been no formal discussions on the issue, he added that it is still all very much “up in the air”.

Asked whether he expected this to change in the future Warlick replied that the issue would first have to be introduced to the Bulgarian government.

Warlick said last week that Bulgaria and the US were at the stage of unofficial talks over the possibility of Bulgaria joining the US missile defense in Europe.

Ellen Tauscher, the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, stated earlier Tuesday that the US has not requested Bulgaria to adopt elements of the planned US missile defense shield but that the option is still open.

Meanwhile, former Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Minister, Socialist MEP Ivaylo Kalfin, stated that the deployment of the US missile shield in Bulgaria would harm Bulgaria’s important economic relationship with Russia.

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