Defence Minister Zakov: Bulgaria is a reliable NATO ally and whoever says otherwise is telling untruths

Bulgaria is a reliable NATO ally and whoever claims otherwise is telling untruths, Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov on Aoril 19 said in a post on Facebook regarding allegations that the US is withholding the delivery of F-16s because of suspected information leaks to Russia.

Such information was published in Dutch media, which claimed that one of their F-35 pilots, sent to guard Bulgaria's skies, was sought by Bulgarians to give information about the planes.

"63% support Bulgaria being part of NATO and the EU, and support for NATO membership is at an all-time high.

The most reliable protection for the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country is NATO and EU membership. Where we can always count on our allies and partners!

If someone claims that Bulgaria's security is guaranteed by an independent and formal membership based on opportunism - this is a gross manipulation and misleads the Bulgarian citizens.

We are grateful to the Netherlands for its help in securing our airspace.

Twice the US Congress voted to give Bulgaria the F16, i.e. Bulgaria is a reliable ally and strategic partner, including in the protection of classified information," Zakov wrote.