Officials understood the need of the army for more military modernisation funds, Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov told members of Parliament.

National Assembly members met on November 8 to discuss behind closed doors the defence budget. Previously a number of officials said the funds were insufficient to fulfill Bulgaria's NATO-related commitments.

At the same time the Defence Ministry understood the financial limitations Bulgaria was faced with, Bliznakov said.

The Defence Ministry was going to guarantee transparency in budget fund utilisation, said Bliznakov as quoted by Darik Radio.

Financial resources could be sought in three manners, so that all army tasks in 2007 were met, MPs said.

Funds could be obtained through the freeing of army supplies from customs taxation but such proposals needed the approval of the Finance Minister, Darik reported.

The closed door session lasted more than three hours. Representatives of opposition parties said that the secrecy was unnecessary.