The Bulgarian Parliament ratified an intergovernmental agreement with France. According to the agreement, French armed forces will conduct an exercise on Bulgarian territory. The exercise is part of a program on cooperation between Bulgaria and France. Similar exercises took place in 1999 and in 2000. The French armed forces will train near Novo Selo between October 5 and December 8. Under the agreement, the services which the Defence Ministry will offer to the French side will be exempt from VAT. The French will cover the fuel, rent, accommodation, catering, warehouses, electricity, water supply and possible medical treatment costs.