Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced Friday that American military aircraft stationed in the NATO member nation will only be permitted to remain through the end of June, citing the United States’ failure to establish visa-free travel for Bulgarian citizens.
“I fully understand the complexity of the regulatory procedures and the need for time, but we also have our priorities and procedures, and we cannot respond positively to the request for long stays of aircraft and tanks at the Sofia airport,” the Prime Minister stated, according to BTA news agency.
The announcement follows recent diplomatic efforts between the two countries regarding visa policy. Earlier this month, Radev held discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, requesting the elimination of visa requirements for Bulgarian nationals traveling to America.
According to the Prime Minister, he emphasized the urgent nature of this issue during their conversation but has yet to receive a favorable response from the United States.
Currently, Bulgaria allows American military aircraft to operate from its capital city Sofia under an arrangement that was set to expire at May’s end. Radev indicated that his government would approve a one-month extension on Friday, providing the aircraft permission to stay through June to allow the U.S. additional time to reconsider its position.
The Prime Minister recently secured a decisive victory in parliamentary elections held on April 19.
