Officials were looking for the best options for the eventual continuation of Bulgaria’s peacekeeping participation in Iraq and the increase of troops sent to Afghanistan, Deputy Defence Minister Sonia Yankoulova said.

Yankoulova took part in the December 7 session of the parliamentary defence committee, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

MPs examined analysis of the risks for Bulgarian soldiers taking part in the two missions abroad.

A 100 per cent certainty and risk-free environment was impossible to guarantee as the threats connected to each peacekeeping operation were different, said Yankoulova.

Bulgaria needed modern military equipment to aid the work of soldiers, said she. The lack of quality machines was one of the reasons behind Bulgaria’s limited participation in missions abroad.

Head of the defence committee Angel Naidenov said that the provision of equipment and proper communication means were key issues.

The committee supported an update in priorities when it came to army modernisation, said Naidenov. Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin and Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov will attend the next committee session, during which missions abroad will be debated once again.