Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mulls Rescue from Abroad Act

Bulgaria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, says rescue from abroad legislation is overdue and much needed. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, is asking for legislation regulating the responsibility of the State in cases such as the current tumultuous situation in the Middle East.

The Act will include concrete actions and measures in the evacuation of Bulgarian citizens, Mladenov told reporters Friday, pointing out such legislation is overdue and needed and could be prepared in the second half of the year after public debates.

The Minister further informed his institution is to maintain a special internet site for Bulgarians traveling abroad where they can register their name and location.

Mladenov said there are 100 Bulgarians on board the Turkish ship Iskenderun, and that the departure has been delayed over inclement weather, but it will happen later Friday. The trip from the Libyan port of Benghazi to the Turkish Marmaris takes about 30 hours. The Minister reminded there could be way more Bulgarians in Libya than the officially registered 500 and some of them to not wish to return home.

Bulgaria's top diplomat explained there is no decision yet if another plane should be sent to the Libyan capital Tripoli.

On Tuesday, two planes were sent there to evacuate Bulgarian citizens, but the rescue operation stirred quite a confusion.

The cabinet press center first announced Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, had ordered to prepare the government Airbus for flight. It was reported later that the craft secured by the State-owned company Technoexportstroy will leave first.

At the end the Airbus departed before the Technoexportstroy one, but the first 110 Bulgarians returned on board of the latter.

Borisov, in a bout of anger, fired the company's director only to reinstate him at the post several hours later.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!