site.btaParliament Ratifies Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement between Bulgarian Defence Ministry, US Defence Department

Parliament will vote Friday on first and second reading a bill to ratify the Acquisition and Mutual Services Agreement (BGR-USA-02) between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria and the United States Department of Defence. The bill was submitted on January 11 by the Council of Ministers.

Since 2001, an Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement (BGR-USA-02) has been in force between the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense. 

The agreement is an updated version of the one already in force since 2001. It establishes the basic principles and procedures to facilitate the mutual provision of logistics assurance, helping to increase the interoperability, combat readiness and effectiveness of the armed forces by expanding cooperation in the mutual provision of goods and services and is the main form of logistical interaction in the implementation of the activities related to the joint  Novo Selo military training ground. The document is the main governing instrument for logistic support in the conduct of exercises and activities, especially in connection with the implementation of the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the governments of the two countries.

The updated version is necessary due to changes in the structures of the two countries, as well as in order to ensure the legal basis for the full implementation of all the logistic possibilities provided for in the document, the submitter states in his reasons.

The ratification of the agreement by the National Assembly is necessary in order to maximise the use of the logistical possibilities provided for in the bill related to the disposal of state property.

The document provides for the possibility of exchange of goods, provision of support, including items, in return for items of similar value, and provision in return for payment of the value of the item or service. 

The parliamentary groups BSP for Bulgaria and Vazrazhdane announced that they would abstain in the vote.