Bulgaria to Start Afghanistan Withdrawal Process

Cabinet expected to agree on Wednesday to partly terminate the military mission to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.The Bulgarian decision will be made in accordance with the strategy for the transformation of participation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, which the government in Sofia adopted at the end of 2011. This follows a decision by the US under President Barack Obama for a major withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2014.

Under the partial pullout plan, Bulgaria is withdrawing medical teams and specialists from Afghanistan’s Heart province as of March 1 and is due to start bringing back its troops guarding the airport in Kabul, and its military instructors, at the end of March.

By the end of 2014, Bulgaria will continue to maintain its security company guarding the interior zone at Kandahar Airport as well its teams of advisers to the local security forces.

After 2014, Bulgaria will participate in NATO’s mission in Afghanistan only with teams of advisers stationed on the ground with the Afghan security forces and the local authorities.

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