Parliament adopted on
Friday a declaration on the occasion of the signing of Bulgaria's
NATO accession protocol by the ambassadors of the 19 Alliance member
countries this week. The text was sponsored by the ruling coalition
and rightist opposition United Democratic Forces. 165 lawmakers
voted in favor, 38 against and 10 abstained.
The document
notes the consistency of Bulgaria's stand on NATO and EU over the
past thirteen years. The text recalls Bulgaria's stance on Iraq and
expressed support for the government's policy on the
conflict.
With the adoption of the declaration, the Bulgarian
Parliament expressed Bulgaria's readiness to complete the reforms
necessary for its full NATO membership.
The declaration was
adopted after long debates as left wing Coalition for Bulgaria and
ruling party splinted group National Ideal for Unity moved their own
versions of the declaration.
The socialists said that the
text in favor of the government's policy on the Iraq crisis should
be removed. A left wing lawmaker proposed a referendum to be held on
Bulgaria's accession to NATO and suggested that a text on a
referendum be added to the
declaration.
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