NEWS

Bulgarians living in Croatia are an active part of the modern Croatian society, and they contribute to the better name and trust of Bulgaria. This is what President Rumen Radev told our compatriots in Zagreb. Today, as part of his official visit to Croatia, the Bulgarian Head of State, together with representatives of our community, honoured the work of Ivan Vazov in front of the bust-monument of the patriarch of Bulgarian literature, which is located on the Alley of Poets in Bundek Park.

 

Bulgaria and Croatia have centuries-old historical and spiritual ties, President Rumen Radev said after laying a wreath at the monument. The President stressed his gratitude to the Croatian people for the fact that in the most difficult years for Bulgaria - during the Ottoman rule, Bulgarians found a second homeland on Croatian soil. Rumen Radev pointed to the support of the Croatian people during the National Revival period and the Bulgarian national liberation movement, which contributed to the preservation of the Bulgarian identity and our freedom.

 

The Bulgarians in Croatia are the foundation of the cooperation between the two countries, Rumen Radev told our compatriots, noting the intensive political dialogue and the improvement of the economic indicators in the partnership between the two countries. The Bulgarian Head of State expressed appreciation for the efforts of the community to preserve the Bulgarian spirit and traditions.

Bulgarians in Croatia have a recognised status of a "national minority" and their number is around 300. The initiative for the erection of the monument to Ivan Vazov in the Croatian capital was taken by the Bulgarian embassy, and the construction and placement of the monument was financed by donations.

Earlier in the day, President Radev paid tribute at the Croatian Monument to the Motherland.

 

In his speech, the president pointed out that Bulgaria highly values its relations with Iraq, which is an important partner in the Middle East region

Taking advantage of their geostrategic position, Bulgaria and Georgia have the potential to deepen their connectivity in various areas such as transport, energy, and the digital sector, which will contribute to promoting the economy, investment, and prosperity in the Black Sea region. This was stated by President Rumen Radev, who held a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili.

The two were unanimous that restoring peace in Europe through diplomacy is a priority for the EU and the only way to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Old Continent.

The President recalls that the institution of the Special Commercial Administrator (SCA) was introduced by an Act adopted in 2023, which also established a number of safeguards against potential abuse and arbitrariness — safeguards of the kind already adopted in other European states faced with similar circumstances, with the objective of minimising the risk of subsequent financial claims against the State