Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov met the president of Israeli company Elbit Systems, responsible for the modernisation of Bulgaria’s air force helicopters.

Bliznakov said that the deadlines listed in the agreement have not been met.

Elbit is working on the repair and modernisation of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters that the Bulgarian Air Force currently uses, Focus news agency reported.

Hopefully Bulgaria would not have to resort to annulling the agreement with Elbit, said Bliznakov.

Another work meeting will take place in the beginning of 2007. Bulgarian and Israeli work groups will evaluate progress made so far and will decide if agreement clauses need to be modified.

Bliznakov said that the coming two weeks will be determining for the future of the process.