Bulgaria says it is offering the United States the use of three bases as the American military reorganizes and redeploys its forces based abroad.
Bulgarian news agency, BTA quotes Defense Minister Nikolai Svinarov as saying that the decision on the exact bases in question will follow discussions next week between a U.S. team and Bulgarian military authorities.
Earlier this year, the top commander of NATO forces in Europe, U.S. General James Jones, while visiting Bulgaria, mentioned five bases as being under consideration for use by American forces.
Bulgarian officials say they had offered the use of two airfields, at Ignatevo and Bezmer, a firing range, at Novo Selo and a naval base, at Atia to the U.S. military.
Bulgaria sees the bases as key to its effort to attract foreign investment and improve its stagnant economy. The United States is seeking small flexible bases for use in the struggle against terrorism.
Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.