The US is ready to provide military equipment and experts to oversee the destruction of superfluous munitions in Bulgaria.

Joe Wilson, chairperson of the Group for friendship USA-Bulgaria in the American Congress and member of the Commission on armed forces, pledged US assistance during a recent international conference in Bulgaria. The need to destroy superfluous munitions has become more urgent following the explosion at the Chelopechene munitions factory near Sofia at the beginning of July.

The main discussion at the conference, opened by Defence Minister Nikolai Tsonev, centred on challenges facing the dismantling of armaments in Bulgaria, the capacity of local companies to take part in this process and their relevance for national security, the Defence Ministry said in a media statement.

“We currently need to destroy 46 000 tones of various redundant munitions, such as projectiles, mines, small-arms and artillery ammunition and aviation munitions," said Tsonev, quoted by Focus news agency.

Tsonev added that the Government had taken "fast and adequate measures" and provided 30 million leva towards the destruction of superfluous munitions. “I hope that 50-60 per cent of the redundant munitions in Bulgaria will be destroyed by the end of 2006,” Tsonev said.

The conference, themed Utilisation and Security by transforming the army forces, started on August 6 in the Black Sea town of Pomorie. Guests included Loretta Sanchez, member of the Commission on armed forces in the US Congress, and Madeleine Bordallo, member of the Group for USA-Bulgaria friendship in the American Congress and also a commission member. Conference organisers included the Defence Ministry, the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria and Nato information centre.

Before the start of the conference, the USA delegation visited the local Nato base in Novo Selo. Bordallo said she witnessed excellent co-operation between the Bulgarian and American military employees, and that within a year, the temporary Nato base in Novo Selo would be completed.