Turkish aviation has received the right to cross the border with Bulgaria and fly over its territory in the event of hot pursuit, according to TRT TV channel, Report informs referring to TASS.
According to sources in the Turkish Ministry of Defense, the Air Force received this opportunity thanks to a memorandum of understanding previously signed between Ankara and Sofia in the field of air police when crossing the border between Türkiye and Bulgaria. Such agreements are concluded on a bilateral basis between NATO allies and are recommended by the alliance.
“Border Crossing Air Policing agreements are arrangements that allow aircraft on air policing duties to continue hot pursuit across another country’s border to prevent threats,” the sources explained.
Regarding Türkiye’s participation in the implementation of the pan-European air defense system European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a source in the Ministry of Defense noted that with the accession of Türkiye and Greece, the number of participants has reached 21.