Greek-Bulgarian diplomatic relations, which date back to 1880, are excellent, and have been developing constantly on an upward course in all sectors, particularly since Bulgaria joined NATO (March 2004) and the EU (2007). At the Greek Embassy in Sofia, there is a Consular Bureau, a Commercial Affairs Section, a Press Office, a Defence Attaché Office and a Police Liaison Office. There is also a Consulate General in Plovdiv.
Political Relations
The traditionally excellent relations between Greece and Bulgaria have been upgraded qualitatively through regular exchanges of high-level political visits. Greece and Bulgaria are partners and allies in the EU and NATO, respectively, and collaborate harmoniously in regional initiatives, including the SEECP, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and BSEC. Trilateral Greek-Bulgarian-Romanian Cooperation is a noteworthy form of cooperation on the regional level. Greece was among the countries that fervently and substantially supported Bulgaria’s accession to NATO and the EU. Our country also supports Bulgaria’s application to join the Schengen Area.
On a bilateral level, we have close cooperation in the economic and energy sectors, having inaugurated a Greek-Bulgarian High-Level Cooperation Council under the coordination of the two Prime Ministers. The first meeting within the framework of this mechanism took place in Sofia on 27 July 2010.
The Second Greek-Bulgarian High-Level Cooperation Council met in Athens on 17 December 2012.
Cultural Relations and Greek Community
In the sector of educational relations and culture, the “Hellenic Educational Association of Sofia” is active in Bulgaria, as are the associations of Greek-Bulgarian Friendship (Federation of Greek-Bulgarian Black Sea Associations), the “Federation of Cultural and Educational Associations of Sarakatsani of Bulgaria”, cultural associations (Association of Neohellenists of Bulgaria (Kostis Palamas”, “Friends of Stefan Getsef”, the Bulgarian chapter of the “International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantakis”).
There are some 28,500 persons of Greek origin and citizenship residing in Bulgaria. This number includes approximately 15,000 Sarakatsani, 2,500 former political refugees, 8,000 “old Greeks”, 2,000 university students and 1,000 professionals and their families.
Embassy in Sofia
Address : 33, San Stefano Sofia 1504
Tel. : (003592) 9461030 , 9434096, 9433453
Fax : (003592) 9461249
Emergency phone: 00359 8 94488478
E-mail : gremb.sof@mfa.gr
Web Site : www.mfa.gr/sofia
Ambassador: Stoidis Dimosthenis
Consular office in Sofia
Address : 103, Evlogi Georgiev str., 1504 Sofia
Tel. : (003592) 9461562, 9461563
Fax : (003592) 9461772
E-mail : grcon.sof@mfa.gr
Web Site : www.mfa.gr/sofia
Head: Persefoni Karanika
Commercial Section in Sofia
Address : 103, Evlogi Georgiev str., 1504 Sofia Bulgaria
Tel. : (003592) 9447959, 9447790
Fax : (003592) 9505375
E-mail : ecocom-sofia@mfa.gr
Web site: www.agora.mfa.gr/bg60
Head: Koutsodimos Georgios
Consulate General in Plovdiv
Address : Rue Preslav 10, Plovdiv 4000
Tel. : (0035932) 632003 625366
Fax : (0035932) 268818
Emergency phone: 00359-89553399000359-895533990
E-mail : grgencon.phl@mfa.gr
Web Site: www.mfa.gr/plovdiv
Head: Ratsika Ourania
Bulgaria Embassy- Consulate:
33 Stratigou Kalari St.
154 52 Psychico
Tel +30 2106748106-8
Fax:+30 2106748130
Visa: 09:00-12:00
