3. A particularly destabil-izing factor in the Mediterranean region is the maintenance by some inperialist States of rnilitary bases, the stockpiling of nuclear vreapons in the region, as well as the deployment of rnediun-range nuclear missiles in Italy. These h,eapons, targeted mainly on the Soviet Union and the other socialist countries, have converted the Mediterranean into a gunpowder keg and they threaten the security of the countries and peoples of the Mediterranean region. 4. The People's Republic of Bulgaria is convinced that there are ways for eliminating the nuclear threat in the region and for turning the latter into a zone of peace, security and co-operation. The socialist countries have repeatedly proposed in this connection the withdrawal from the {tlediterranean of naval vessels carrying nuclear vreapons, the non-deployment of nuclear arns on the territory of the Mediterranean nuclear-weapon States and the assumption by the nuclear-weapon Powers of the obligation not to use nuclear r/reapons against t'lediterranean countries which have no such weapons on their territory. Military confrontation in the region could be lessened also by agreed-upon reduction of military forces in the region and by the extension to it of a number of confidence-building nreasures in the military field. 5. The Peonlers Republic of Bulgaria, being a Black Sea country and in this sense a Mediterranean one, is vital-ly interested in elirninating the nuclear threat in the region. There are no foreign niLitary bases and nuclear arms on the territory of Bulgaria. Hohrever, the United States is maintaining in two neighbourinq Mediterranean and Balkan eountries military bases and nuclear riteapons which pose a real threat to the security of Bulgaria and endanger peace in that part of the Ittediterranean and the adjacent Balkan region. As it was noted in General Assenbly resolution 37/1I8, the security of the Mediterranean and of the adjacent regions is
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement or a speech about the Mediterranean region, focusing on the threat of nuclear weapons and military bases in the region, and proposing ways to reduce tensions and promote peace. It does not mention economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, nor does it discuss agriculture, forestry, fishing, or industry. It is more focused on international relations and security.

**Category**
International relations, Security