Bulgaria taking measures against possible IS attacks

SOFIA - Bulgarian caretaker Defense Minister Velizar Shalamanov on Wednesday said his country is taking measures against possible terrorist attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, calling for maximum use of all resources.

"We are taking measures at the national level and within the European Union and NATO, and are doing our best to protect our interests," Shalamanov said after the opening ceremony of a National Round Table on crisis management.

The Ministry of Defense is preparing forces, and closely participating in exercises with allies, he said, adding: "Much better coordination for the maximum use of all resources and capabilities is required."

Shalamanov said Bulgaria is not participating in the United States-led anti-IS coalition, adding that this issue is not currently being discussed in the government as "the country's capabilities in this area are limited."

The Bulgarian government established a national counter-terrorist center in June, almost two years after a blast at Burgas Airport killed five Israeli tourists, the bus driver and the bomber.

The center, housed in the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security, is the country's intelligence service that aims to combat terrorism.