Bulgarian MPs to Discuss Ratification of MiG-29 Jets Repair Agreement

The Bulgarian parliament will finally discuss the ratification of the intergovernmental agreement with Poland on the repair of six of the country's MiG-29 fighter jets.

This is the first point on the agenda of the parliamentary sitting on Friday, with the discussion having already been postponed twice.

Initially, it had been foreseen for the discussion to take place at the extraordinary sitting of parliament on Tuesday, but MPs ran out of time.

The ratification was cancelled for a second time on Wednesday when Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev surprisingly requested its postponement.

According to daily Sega, the postponement is due to the threats of Russia that it will sue Bulgaria if the country ratifies the agreement.

The Russian MiG company claims that only it has the right to repair the fighter jets and Poland does not have the necessary licence and permission to do so.

According to the agreement on providing logistical support to the fighter jets, Poland will repair six Bulgarian engines.

Within twenty days after the agreement enters into force, Poland will loan two engines to Bulgaria for use while the repair takes place.

The price for the repair of each of the engines is slightly over EUR 1 M.

Several times, Nenchev noted that this price is much cheaper than the one offered by Russia.

The MPs will also review the bill on the adoption of a programme for development of the defence capabilities of the armed forces.