Foreign relations of Bulgaria

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Foreign relations of the Republic of Bulgaria are the Bulgarian government's external relations with the outside world. Bulgaria has generally good foreign relations with its neighbors and has proved to be a constructive force in the region[citation needed] under socialist and democratic governments alike. Promoting regional stability, Bulgaria hosted a Southeast European Foreign Ministers meeting in July 1996, and an OSCE conference on Black Sea cooperation in November 1995. Bulgaria also participated in the 1996 South Balkan Defense Ministerial in Albania and is active in the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative. Bulgaria's main focus is the Euro-Atlantic integration since 1997 and the efforts of the governments since then led to admission to NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007.[1] Its main allies are Greece and Romania, while it maintains good relations with Serbia and the rest of the Balkans. Republic of North Macedonia is very important state in Bulgarian foreign and internal policy due to the historical, ethnical and cultural connections.

Overview[]

After the end of Communist control of Eastern Europe in 1989, Bulgaria sought economic cooperative arrangements with Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain, as well as military cooperation with Romania, Greece, and Turkey. A start was made on easing tensions with its traditional enemy, Serbia.[2]

With their close historical, cultural, and economic ties, Bulgaria seeks a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia, on which it is largely dependent for energy supplies. Sporadic negotiations are underway among Greece, Bulgaria, and Russia for construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline to transport Caspian Sea oil from the Black Sea port of Burgas to Alexandroupoli on the northern Aegean coast.

Bulgaria's EU Association Agreement came into effect in 1994, and Bulgaria formally applied for full EU membership in December 1995. During the 1999 EU summit in Helsinki, the country was invited to start membership talks with the Union. On January 1, 2007 Bulgaria officially became a member of the European Union. In 1996, Bulgaria acceded to the Wassenaar Arrangement controlling exports of weapons and sensitive technology to countries of concern and also was admitted to the World Trade Organization. Bulgaria is a member of the Zangger Committee and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. After a period of equivocation under a socialist government, in March 1997 a UDF-led caretaker cabinet applied for full NATO membership, which became a reality in April 2004.

Bulgaria and the United States signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in 2006 providing for military bases and training camps of the U.S. Army in Bulgaria, as part of the Pentagon's restructuring plan.

The HIV trial in Libya resulted in the release of Bulgarian nurses imprisoned by Muammar Gaddafi's government in Libya. French President Nicolas Sarkozy secured the release in exchange for several business deals.[3][4]

In November 2010, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov formally announced his team proposes to close seven embassies as part of a plan for restructuring and austerity measures.

Thus, in 2011, Bulgaria will most likely shut down its diplomatic missions in Sudan, Angola, Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Thailand, Mexico, and Tunisia. The choice is based on a scrutinizing financial analysis and on the necessity to optimize the diplomatic corps, the Ministry says. The staff of the Bulgarian diplomatic corps will be reduced by 15 people in total.

In June 2010, media reports claimed that Bulgaria considers closing a total of 30 of its diplomatic missions abroad. Currently, Bulgaria has 83 embassies, 6 permanent representations, 20 consular offices, and 2 diplomatic bureaus. The proposed closures have been backed by PM Borisov who described some of Bulgaria's embassies as useless.[5]

NATO[]

Flags of NATO, Bulgaria, European Union at the Military club of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Bulgaria joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994 and applied for NATO membership in 1997. During the November 2002 Prague Summit Bulgaria was one of seven former socialist countries invited to join the Alliance. Bulgaria became a member of NATO in March 2004. The country is also working toward NATO compatibility in communications and training, and has established a Peacekeeping Training Center.

UN[]

In 2003, Bulgaria was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, proving to be one of 3 closest U.S. allies during the Iraqi Crisis, together with the UK and Spain. Bulgaria also presided the OSCE in 2004.

Illicit drugs[]

Major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals.

Diplomatic relations[]

List of countries which Bulgaria has diplomatic relations with:
# Country Date[6]
1  Russia 7 July 1879
2  France 8 July 1879
3  Romania 21 July 1879
4  Italy 25 July 1879
5  Turkey July 1879
6  United Kingdom 23 July 1879
7  Serbia 6 September 1879
8  Belgium 11 December 1879
9  Greece 9 September 1880
10  Iran 15 November 1897
11  United States 19 September 1903
12  Netherlands 8 July 1909
13  Spain 5 August 1910
14  Albania April 1914
15  Sweden 6 July 1914
16   Switzerland 31 October 1915
17  Norway 20 April 1918
18  Finland 5 August 1918
19  Poland 30 December 1918
20  Austria November 1919
21  Japan 1919
22  Hungary 9 August 1920
23  Czech Republic 27 September 1920
24  Egypt 5 November 1925
25  Denmark 17 April 1931
26  Argentina 8 July 1931
27  Brazil 17 September 1934
28  Chile 1935
29  Mexico 6 January 1938
30  Israel 29 November 1948
31  North Korea 29 November 1948
32  China 3 October 1948
33  Vietnam 8 February 1950
34  Mongolia 22 April 1950
35  Syria 24 August 1954
36  India 22 December 1954
37  Myanmar 18 November 1955
38  Sudan 1 June 1956
39  Ethiopia 3 June 1956
40  Tunisia 30 August 1956
41  Indonesia 20 September 1956
42  Luxembourg 16 December 1956
43  Uruguay 21 May 1958
44  Iraq 14 August 1958
45  Guinea 2 January 1959
46  Cambodia 18 September 1960
47  Somalia 28 September 1960
48  Cuba 8 October 1960
49  Mali 23 October 1960
50  Cyprus 30 October 1960
51  Democratic Republic of the Congo 22 February 1961
52  Ghana 10 August 1961
53  Afghanistan 12 June 1961
54  Morocco 1 September 1961
55  Sri Lanka 10 June 1962
56  Tanzania 16 June 1962
57  Benin 25 June 1962
58  Laos 13 September 1962
59  Sierra Leone 28 September 1962
60  Algeria 10 October 1962
61  Yemen 12 October 1962
62  Kuwait 15 June 1963
63  Libya 1 June 1963
64  Iceland 27 December 1963
65  Kenya 14 February 1964
66  Nigeria 10 March 1964
67  Uganda 17 May 1964
68  Jordan 9 October 1964
69  Burundi 28 December 1964
70  Republic of Congo 31 December 1964
71  Pakistan 15 June 1965
72  Mauritania 28 December 1965
73  Canada 30 June 1966
74  Lebanon 19 September 1966
75  Singapore 18 October 1967
76  Ivory Coast 15 December 1967
77  Senegal 28 December 1967
78    Nepal 15 April 1968
79  Burkina Faso 29 May 1968
80  Zambia 20 October 1968
81  Malaysia 4 January 1969
82  Peru 18 April 1969
83  San Marino 15 December 1969
84  Central African Republic 9 January 1970
85  Costa Rica 9 October 1970
86  Bolivia 18 December 1970
87  Ecuador 28 April 1971
88  Malta 11 September 1971
89  Equatorial Guinea 15 September 1971
90  Bangladesh 31 January 1972
91  Australia 5 April 1972
92  Niger 5 March 1973
93  Panama 21 March 1973
94  Colombia 11 May 1973
95  Philippines 16 November 1973
96  Germany 21 December 1973
97  Guinea-Bissau 2 June 1974
98  Togo 19 June 1974
99  Portugal 26 June 1974[7]
100  Venezuela 2 August 1974
101  Thailand 10 August 1974
-  State of Palestine 24 August 1974
102  Liberia 1 November 1974
103  Mauritius 20 June 1975
104  Mozambique 25 June 1975
105  Angola 20 November 1975
106  Gabon 15 May 1976
107  Madagascar 15 June 1976
108  Jamaica 22 March 1977
109  Guyana 25 March 1977
110  Comoros 6 June 1977
111  Nicaragua 16 November 1979
112  Rwanda 20 December 1979
113  Sao Tome and Principe 23 December 1979
114  Zimbabwe 18 April 1980
115  Cabo Verde 5 June 1980
116  Grenada 9 June 1980
117  Lesotho 10 June 1980
118  Seychelles 15 August 1980
119  Botswana 16 August 1982
120  Cameroon 24 February 1984
121  Maldives 14 August 1984
122  New Zealand 9 October 1984
123  Chad 10 October 1989[8]
124  South Korea 23 March 1990
125  Namibia 6 June 1990
126  Ireland 11 June 1990
127  Oman 17 June 1990
128  Qatar 17 October 1990
-   Holy See 6 December 1990
129  Dominican Republic 14 June 1991
130  El Salvador 27 June 1991
131  Estonia 10 September 1991
132  Latvia 10 September 1991
133  United Arab Emirates 10 October 1991
134  Bahrain 15 October 1991
135  Lithuania 10 December 1991
136  Ukraine 13 December 1991
137  Armenia 18 January 1992
138  South Africa 2 February 1992
139  Moldova 5 February 1992
140  Barbados 12 March 1992[8]
141  Belarus 26 March 1992
142  Turkmenistan 20 May 1992
143  Kyrgyzstan 20 May 1992
144  Azerbaijan 5 June 1992
145  Georgia 5 June 1992
146  Kazakhstan 5 June 1992
147  Croatia 13 August 1992
148  Slovenia 18 August 1992
149  Uzbekistan 12 September 1992
150  Paraguay 7 December 1992
151  Slovakia 1 January 1993
152  Eritrea 31 May 1993
153  Tajikistan 24 August 1993
154  North Macedonia 22 December 1993
155  Guatemala 14 January 1994
156  Belize 15 February 1994
157  Brunei 14 April 1994
158  Liechtenstein 26 April 1994
159  Andorra 14 June 1994
-  Sovereign Military Order of Malta[9] 11 November 1994
160  Malawi 23 November 1994[8]
161  Eswatini 30 January 1995
162  Saudi Arabia 20 March 1995
163  Bosnia and Herzegovina 12 January 1996
164  Nauru 30 April 2001[8]
165  Antigua and Barbuda 7 June 2001[8]
166  East Timor 21 January 2003[10]
167  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 11 September 2003
168  Honduras 7 May 2004[8]
169  Suriname 20 September 2004
170  Montenegro 2 August 2006[11]
171  Djibouti 13 February 2007[12]
172  Bahamas 27 September 2007[8]
173  Solomon Islands 27 April 2011[8]
174  Dominica 28 April 2011[8]
175  Tuvalu 18 May 2011[8]
176  Trinidad and Tobago 20 September 2011[8]
177  Fiji 25 May 2015[8]
178  Monaco 14 February 2018[13]
-  Kosovo 20 March 2018[14]
179  Vanuatu 24 June 2019[8]
180  Saint Lucia 5 November 2020[8]

Relations by region and country[]

Africa[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Algeria 1964
  • Algeria has an embassy in Sofia.[15]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Algiers.[16]
  • Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
 Angola 20 November 1975
  • Since 1976, Bulgaria has an embassy in Luanda.[17]
  • Angola is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Athens (Greece).[18]
 Egypt See Bulgaria–Egypt relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Cairo.
  • Egypt has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
  • Bulgarian embassy in Cairo
 Ethiopia
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
  • Ethiopia is accredited to Bulgaria from its permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
 Kenya
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Kenya is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
 Libya
  • In the late 1990s a Libyan children's hospital was the site of an outbreak of HIV infection that spread to over 400 patients. Libya blamed the outbreak on Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor, who were arrested and eventually sentenced to death. The international view was that Libya has used the medics as scapegoats for poor hygiene conditions, and Bulgaria with the support of its main allies the European Union and the United States repeatedly called on Tripoli to release them. The medics were finally extradited to Bulgaria and immediately pardoned at Sofia Airport on July 24, 2007.
  • See also: HIV trial in Libya
 Morocco 1 September 1961
  • Since January 1962, Bulgaria has an embassy in Rabat and an honorary consulate in Casablanca.[19]
  • Morocco has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
  • Both countries are members of Francophonie.
 Nigeria
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Abuja.
  • Nigeria is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
 South Africa 2 February 1992 See Bulgaria–South Africa relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Pretoria
  • Since 1992, South Africa has an embassy in Sofia.[20]
 Sudan 1 July 1956 See Bulgaria–Sudan relations

In 1967, Bulgaria sent the first Bulgarian ambassador to Khartoum. The activities of the Bulgarian embassy in Khartoum were terminated in April 1990.

  • Bulgaria is accredited to Sudan from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.
  • Sudan has an embassy in Sofia.
 Tunisia 1956
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Tunis.[21]
  • Tunisia is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[22]
  • Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

Americas[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Argentina 1931
  • Argentina has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Buenos Aires.
 Belize 15 February 1994
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1994.[23]
  • Bulgaria is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City.[24]
 Brazil
  • Brazil has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Brasília.
 Canada See Bulgaria–Canada relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto.[25][26]
  • Canada has a consulate in Sofia, and is represented through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania) for diplomatic matters.[27]
 Chile
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Chile from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Chile is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Bucharest, Romania and maintains an honorary consulate in Sofia.
 Colombia 8 May 1973
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Colombia from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.
  • Colombia is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
 Cuba
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Havana.
  • Cuba has an embassy in Sofia.
 Dominica
  • Bulgaria is represented in Dominica through its embassy in Havana, Cuba.[28]
 Ecuador
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Ecuador from its embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.
  • Ecuador is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Budapest, Romania and maintains an honorary consulate in Sofia.
 Mexico 6 January 1938 See Bulgaria–Mexico relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Mexico City.[29]
  • Mexico is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Budapest, Hungary and maintains an honorary consulate in Sofia.[30]
 Paraguay 2 December 1992 1992-12-02
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Paraguay is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Rome, Italy.[31]
 Peru 1969
  • Peru closed its embassy in Sofia for economic reasons in 2003.
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Peru from its embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.
  • Peru is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Athens, Greece.[32]
 United States 1903 See Bulgaria–United States relations

Bulgarian-American relations, first formally established in 1903, have moved from missionary activity and American support for Bulgarian independence in the late 19th century to the growth of trade and commerce in the early 20th century, to reluctant hostility during World War I and open war and bombardment in World War II, to ideological confrontation during the Cold War, to partnership with the United States in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and growing political, military and economic ties in the beginning of the 21st century.

  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City.
  • United States has an embassy in Sofia.
 Uruguay
  • Bulgaria is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Uruguay is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Bucharest, Romania and maintains an honorary consulate in Sofia.

Asia[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Afghanistan 12 July 1961
  • Afghanistan has an embassy in Sofia.[33]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Kabul.[34]
  • Bulgaria has sent 510 soldiers to contribute to the International Security Assistance Force.[citation needed]
 Armenia 1932 See Armenia–Bulgaria relations
  • Armenia has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Since December 19, 1999, Bulgaria has an embassy in Yerevan.[35]
  • Both countries are members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.
  • There are around 30,000 people of Armenian descent living in Bulgaria.
  • in 2015 Bulgaria recognised the Armenian Genocide[36]
 Azerbaijan 6 May 1992 See Azerbaijan–Bulgaria relations
  • Azerbaijan has an embassy in Sofia.[37]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Baku.[38]
  • Both countries are members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)
  • Bulgaria recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on January 14, 1992.
 China 4 October 1949 See Bulgaria–China relations
 Georgia 5 June 1992 See Bulgaria–Georgia relations
 India 1954 See Bulgaria–India relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in New Delhi and an honorary consulate in Kolkata.[43]
  • India has an embassy in Sofia.[44]
 Indonesia 21 September 1956 See Bulgaria–Indonesia relations

Bulgaria was among the States that recognized Indonesia's independence on September 21, 1956. The two countries established diplomatic relations on . Bulgaria has had an embassy in Jakarta since October 1958 and Indonesia has had an embassy in Sofia Since 1960.[45]

 Iran 1897
  • Since 1939, Bulgaria has an embassy in Tehran.[46]
  • Iran has an embassy in Sofia.[47][48]
 Iraq See Bulgaria–Iraq relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Baghdad.[49]
  • Iraq has an embassy in Sofia.[50]
  • Bulgaria was part of the Multinational force in Iraq between May 2003 and December 2008.
 Israel
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Tel Aviv.[51]
  • Israel has an embassy in Sofia.[52]
  • Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
 Japan September 1959 See Bulgaria–Japan relations
 Kazakhstan 5 July 1992
  • Since 1994, Bulgaria had an embassy in Almaty, later moved to Nur-Sultan.[55]
  • Since November 2004, Kazakhstan has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Sofia.
 Lebanon 19 September 1966
  • Since May 1967, Bulgaria has an embassy in Beirut.[56]
  • Since 1983, Lebanon maintains an embassy in Sofia.[57]
  • Both countries are members of the Francophonie and of the Union for the Mediterranean.
 Mongolia 22 April 1950 See Bulgaria–Mongolia relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Ulaanbaatar.
  • Mongolia has an embassy in Sofia.
 North Korea 29 November 1948
 Pakistan 1970
  • Since 1974, Bulgaria has an embassy in Islamabad.[58]
  • Pakistan reopened its embassy in Sofia. Pakistan has an embassy in Sofia.
 Palestine 1975
  • Bulgaria established relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization in September 1975.
  • Bulgaria recognized the State of Palestine on 25 November 1988.
  • Palestine maintains an embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
 South Korea 23 March 1990 See Bulgaria–South Korea relations

The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Република България began on 23 March 1990.

  • During the Cold War the Republic of Bulgaria had diplomatic relations only with North Korea however after the Cold War Bulgaria has also had diplomatic relations with South Korea.
  • See also Bulgaria–South Korea relations
 Syria 24 July 1954 See Bulgaria–Syria relations
  • Since May 1955, Bulgaria has an embassy in Damascus and an honorary consulate in Aleppo.[63]
  • Syria has an embassy in Sofia.[64]
  • Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
 Thailand 10 April 1974
  • Since 1975, Bulgaria has an embassy in Bangkok.[65]
  • Thailand has an honorary consulate in Sofia.[66]
  • There is a Thai Village in Bulgaria since 2006 [67]
 Turkey See Bulgaria–Turkey relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Ankara, 2 general consulates in Istanbul and Edirne and a chancellery in Bursa.[68]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Sofia and 2 general consulates in Plovdiv and Burgas.[69]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Bulgaria is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate.
 United Arab Emirates See Bulgaria–United Arab Emirates relations
  • Bulgaria has a consulate-general in Dubai.
  • United Arab Emirates is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
 Uzbekistan 12 September 1992 See Bulgaria–Uzbekistan relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Tashkent.
  • Uzbekistan is accredited to Bulgaria from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tashkent.
 Vietnam 8 February 1950 See Bulgaria–Vietnam relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Hanoi.[70]
  • Vietnam has an embassy in Sofia.[71]
 Yemen See Bulgaria–Yemen relations

Europe[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Albania See Albania–Bulgaria relations
  • Albania has an embassy in Sofia and a consulate in Plovdiv.[72]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Tirana and a consulate in Vlore.[72]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Albania is an EU candidate and Bulgaria is an EU member.
 Austria 1878 See Austria–Bulgaria relations
  • Austria has an embassy in Sofia.[73]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Salzburg.[74]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
 Belarus 26 March 1992
  • Bulgaria recognized Belarus on December 23, 1991.
  • Belarus has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Burgas.[75]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Minsk.[76]
 Belgium 1879
  • Belgium has an embassy in Sofia.[77]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Brussels.[78]
  • Both countries are members of the European Union, and of NATO and Francophonie.
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 15 January 1992
  • Since 1996, Bulgaria has an embassy in Sarajevo, and was the first country to recognize independent Bosnia and Herzegovina.[79]
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Sofia.[80]
  • Both countries are members of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, of the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, and the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.
 Croatia 13 August 1992 See Bulgaria–Croatia relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Zagreb.[81]
  • Croatia has an embassy in Sofia.[82]
  • Bulgaria joined the European Union as a full member on January 1, 2007, while Croatia joined on July 1, 2013.
 Cyprus See Bulgaria–Cyprus relations
 Czech Republic 27 September 1920 See Bulgaria–Czech Republic relations
  • Relations were severed on June 1, 1939 and were restored on October 10, 1945.
  • On December 23, 1992, Bulgaria recognised the Czech Republic and established diplomatic relations with it at the level of embassies as of January 1, 1993.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Prague.[83]
  • Czech Republic has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.[84]
  • Both countries are members of the European Union, and of NATO and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
 Denmark See Bulgaria–Denmark relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Copenhagen.
  • Denmark has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Estonia 20 May 1921 See Bulgaria–Estonia relations
  • Bulgaria recognised Estonia on May 20, 1921 and re-recognised Estonia on August 26, 1991.
  • Both countries restored diplomatic relations on September 10, 1991.
  • In 2009, Bulgaria opened an embassy in Tallinn.
  • Estonia has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Sofia.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
  • Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria
 Finland 5 August 1918 See Bulgaria–Finland relations
 France 8 July 1879 See Bulgaria–France relations
 Germany See Bulgaria–Germany relations
 Greece 1908 See Bulgaria–Greece relations

Relations between Greece and Bulgaria have been very cordial since the 1950s, due to the strong cultural, political and religious ties between the two nations, preceded in the earlier 20th century by periods of intense mutual hostility. Since Bulgaria's independence in 1876, Greece and Bulgaria faced each other in three major wars: the Second Balkan War, the First World War and the Second World War, in which Bulgaria briefly occupied parts of northern Greece.

  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Athens and a consulate-general in Thessaloniki.
  • Greece has an embassy in Sofia and a consulate-general in Plovdiv.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Hungary 1920 See Bulgaria–Hungary relations
 Ireland 1990
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Dublin.[87]
  • Ireland has an embassy in Sofia.[88]
  • Both countries are members of the European Union and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
 Italy 1879 See Bulgaria–Italy relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Rome, a general consulate in Milan and 6 honorary consulates (in Ancona, Florence, Genoa, Naples, Turin and Treviso).[89][90]
  • Italy has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Plovdiv.[91]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Kosovo 20 March 2008 See Bulgaria–Kosovo relations
  • Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Bulgaria recognized it on 20 March 2008.[92]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Pristina.
  • Kosovo has an embassy in Sofia.

[93]

 Latvia See Bulgaria–Latvia relations
  • Bulgaria is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Riga.[94]
  • Latvia is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Warsaw (Poland) and through an honorary consulate in Sofia.[95]
  • Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Lithuania
 Malta
  • Bulgaria is represented in Malta through its embassy in Rome (Italy).[98]
  • Malta has 2 honorary consulates in Bulgaria (in Sofia and Varna).[99]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
 Moldova 5 February 1992
  • Since 1992, Bulgaria has an embassy in Chişinău.[100]
  • Moldova has an embassy in Sofia.
 Montenegro 2 August 2006 See Bulgaria–Montenegro relations
 Netherlands See Bulgaria–Netherlands relations
 North Macedonia See Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations
  • Bulgaria was the first country to recognize North Macedonia and the second to open an embassy.
  • The rules governing good neighbourly relations agreed between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia were set in the Joint Declaration of February 22, 1999 reaffirmed by a joint memorandum signed on January 22, 2008 in Sofia.[103]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Norway 21 August 1906
  • Since April 1918, Bulgaria has an embassy in Oslo.[104]
  • Norway is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
 Poland See Bulgaria–Poland relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Warsaw and an honorary consulate in Wroclaw.[105]
  • Poland has an embassy in Sofia.[106]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Portugal 1925 See Bulgaria–Portugal relations
  • Relations were severed in 1945 and were restored on June 24, 1974.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Lisbon.[107]
  • Portugal has an embassy in Sofia.[108]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Romania See Bulgaria–Romania relations

Bulgarian relations with Romania featured regular official visits by the two presidents. Romanian-Bulgarian relations are developing "very intensively" because of EU accession, since Romania and Bulgaria joined together the European Union in 2007. Romania and Bulgaria have never had any serious conflicts, other than a territorial dispute over the Dobruja region in 1913-1940, now largely forgotten. Vidin and Calafat have perhaps the closest relations of any towns along this lower section of the Danube. There is a regular ferry service, so locals here have regular interchange with their neighbors across the border.

  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Bucharest.
  • Romania has an embassy in Sofia.
 Russia 7 July 1879 See Bulgaria–Russia relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Moscow and 3 consulates general (in Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg).[109]
  • Russia has an embassy in Sofia and 2 consulates general (in Ruse and Varna).[110]
  • Russia was the first country to recognize Bulgaria, and greatly helped Bulgaria in its war of independence from Ottoman Turkey.
 Serbia 18 January 1879 See Bulgaria–Serbia relations
 Slovakia 1 January 1993 See Bulgaria–Slovakia relations
  • Bulgaria recognized Slovakia on December 23, 1992.
  • Since February 1994, Bulgaria has an embassy in Bratislava.[111]
  • Since June 1994, Slovakia has an embassy in Sofia.[112]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Slovenia See Bulgaria–Slovenia relations
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Ljubljana.[113]
  • Slovenia is represented in Bulgaria through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary).[114]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
 Spain 8 May 1910 See Bulgaria–Spain relations
 Sweden 6 July 1914
  • Since 1915, Bulgaria has an embassy in Stockholm.[117]
  • Sweden has an embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.[118]
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
  Switzerland 1905
 Turkey See Turkey in Asia Above
 Ukraine 1992

Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations are characterized by a constant active political dialogue at the highest level. Ukraine and Bulgaria actively cooperate and provide mutual support within the framework of regional and international organizations, such as the BSEC, the Central European Initiative, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the United Nations.

Bulgaria, has confirmed readiness to promote the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. It occupies an important place in the Balkan direction of Ukraine's foreign policy interests, which is due to the geopolitical position of the country in the Balkans, the proximity of interests in the Black Sea and the Danube region. Ukraine and Bulgaria are united by ethnic, linguistic and religious components, traditional economic, trade and cultural-historical ties.

Bulgaria is an important market for Ukrainian products and the largest trade and economic partner of Ukraine in the Balkan region. In 2017, foreign trade between Ukraine and Bulgaria demonstrated growth dynamics.

 United Kingdom 1879 See Bulgaria–United Kingdom relations

Oceania[]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Australia 1972
  • Australia is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Athens, Greece and maintains an honorary consulate in Sofia.[125]
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Canberra.[126]
 New Zealand
  • Bulgaria is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
  • New Zealand is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.

See also[]

References[]

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External links[]

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