NATO newcomer Bulgaria has decided to step up its military involvement in the alliance-led peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, Deputy Prime Minister Plamen Panayotov said Friday. "We agreed to expand Bulgaria's military participation in the international mission in Afghanistan, and that our contingent will take up responsibility for Kabul airport's security between June and September 2006," Panayotov said. "Bulgaria will also restructure its military contingent in Afghanistan and send troops to locations outside Kabul," Panayotov said, adding that Bulgaria's government will fully finance its forces' involvement.
