The Bulgarian government approved at its regular meeting on Wednesday a bill amending and supplementing the Defence and Armed Forces Act, which would allow for joint air policing missions to safeguard the country's airspace.

The bill was tabled for review and approval by the parliament, the press service of the government informs.

The proposed changes provide the possibility for conducting joint missions on safeguarding the country's airspace within the framework of the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence system.

At present, the country's airspace is safeguarded exclusively by the Bulgarian army.

The proposal is in response to recommendations made at the 2014 NATO Wales summit for the need of joint missions to enhance the capabilities in safeguarding the airspace of the countries on the eastern flank of the alliance.

The joint air policing missions provide for the presence of NATO forces and resources on rotating basis for conducting joint exercises and trainings.

The aim is to increase the available national capabilities and the operational compatibility of the allies as well as demonstrate allied determination, unity and mutual commitment towards collective defence.

The government expects that the fulfillment of tasks in joint operations will contribute towards increasing the capabilities of the Bulgarian air force and enriching the experience of its crews.

Such a joint mission has been safeguarding the airspace of the three Baltic countries since 2013, but it was reinforced as a result of the measures adopted on ensuring the security of the NATO member countries.

Romania also fulfilled the recommendations of the Alliance from the middle of 2015, with Bulgaria remaining the only country to fulfill its commitments individually.

The proposal excludes the possibility for foreign forces and resources to completely take over air policing missions, ensuring that the sovereignty of Bulgarian airspace will not be compromised.