2 April 2008

On its sitting on 2 April 2008 National Assembly discussed on second reading the amendments in the Republic of Bulgaria Defense and Armed Forces Act. The amendments repeal the provisions that require military duty to be executed on Bulgarian territory alone. The refusal to carry out military duty outside the country will be considered as a breach of the military obligations and will be subject to disciplinary punishment “dismissal” explains the Council of Ministers who drafted the amendments.

The changes in the above mentioned Act provide for civilians like physicians, logistics professionals to take part into military missions and operations. During their service they will be conferred military titles, according to their duties and they will assume the position of permanent reserve personnel.
The text in the law regulating the “preliminary detention” status of the professional military was abrogated with the amendments so as to be in conformity to the new Penal Procedure Code.

The changes propose the Heads of the Military Academies and Higher Military schools to be entitled to academic ranks.

The Bill stipulates a particular order for the establishment of a Right to construct a building over empty urban lands having the status of private State property and conceded to the Defense Ministry and its Agencies by the State. The purpose is to facilitate the construction of housing, infrastructure and sport facilities for the needs of the defense department and its professional and civilian staff.

The Right to construct a building will be onerous and will be established by order of the Minister of Defense following a tender.
The Right to construct a building can be compensated by a real property with equal value in the new building, after the price has been set up by an independent appraiser. The newly constructed units will become part of the Housing Fund of the Ministry of Defense and will be rented out or sold to professional military personnel.
The debates over the Bill on amendments and supplement of the Republic of Bulgaria Defense and Armed Forces Act will continue on April 3rd 2008.