Bulgaria–United Kingdom relations

Bulgarian–British relations
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Bulgaria, London	Embassy of the United Kingdom, Sofia
Envoy
Ambassador Marin Raykov	Ambassador Rob Dixon

Bulgarian–British relations are bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the United Kingdom.

Both countries are full members of NATO and the Council of Europe, with the United Kingdom giving full support to Bulgaria's applications to join NATO and the European Union.

Historical relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in July 1879 as Bulgaria achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire. The two were enemies during World War I, most of World War II, and the Cold War.^[1]^[2]

Following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, trade between the United Kingdom and European Union members such as Bulgaria has been governed by the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement since 1 January 2021.^[3]^[4]

Political relations

A spy ring, including Bulgarian nationals in the UK, was uncovered in 2023, accused of spying for Russia. The group was involved in tracking political dissidents, including journalists and former politicians, as part of Russian intelligence operations. Several members were arrested.^[5]

Embassies

Bulgaria has an embassy in London^[6] and the United Kingdom has an embassy in Sofia.^[7]

References

^ Glenn Leonard, Economics, Diplomacy, and War: Britain and Bulgaria, 1936–38
^ Canadian Journal of History (2012) 47#3 pp 597–622.
^ "UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal". GOV.UK. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ "Brexit: Landmark UK-EU trade deal to be signed". BBC News. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
^ "How six Bulgarians did Russia's dirty work from the UK". www.bbc.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
^ "Bilateral relations". Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, London. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ "British Embassy Sofia". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

External links

(in Bulgarian and English) Bulgarian embassy in London
(in Bulgarian and English) UK and Bulgaria - UK and the world - GOV.UK
(in Bulgarian and English) British embassy in Sofia

[1] Glenn Leonard, Economics, Diplomacy, and War: Britain and Bulgaria, 1936–38

[2] Canadian Journal of History (2012) 47#3 pp 597–622.

[3] "UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal". GOV.UK. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[4] "Brexit: Landmark UK-EU trade deal to be signed". BBC News. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2023.

[5] "How six Bulgarians did Russia's dirty work from the UK". www.bbc.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-13.

[6] "Bilateral relations". Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, London. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[7] "British Embassy Sofia". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

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