On the eve on 2018 when Bulgaria will mark the 140^th anniversary of its Liberation of Ottoman Rule, Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Anatoly Makarov reviewed the bilateral relations and presented part of the events within the celebration ceremonies.

“Russian president has received an invitation from his Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev to visit Bulgaria due to the 140^th anniversary of the Liberation and the latter has accepted. However, you know that the presidential election takes place in Russia in March, so I have my doubts about this meeting. As we view the whole 2018 as a jubilee year then I guess such visit might be organized later on.”

This could be the eventual first visit of a Russian head of state here since 2008. “I would like such visits to happen more often and the business also has its interest in those. A Bulgarian-Russian investment forum took place in Sofia in October. The business showed interest towards the development of the economic ties. However, the political basis is what matters. Political contacts add to the solving of the economic issues,” Makarov said.

Bulgaria is a beautiful country, offering various opportunities for sea and ski tourism – creative, spa, religious and historical tourism, the ambassador underlined and marked that the state was a favorite destination of the Russians:

“In 2016 Bulgaria was visited by 600,000 Russian tourists. They like it here and feel the peace. I think many more would like to come here. At the same time the visa issue has occurred and it is a problem, especially for Russians, living in the countryside. I have discussed this topic with Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova. Perhaps we should consider an option for the issuance of 30-day tourist visas to tourist groups right at the station. Are we so cornered by the Brussels’ rules that there is nothing we can do? Otherwise tourists would opt for Turkey, since the voyage there is much easier.”

Ambassador Makarov expressed his regret about the numerous missed opportunities within bilateral relations. He recalled that Bulgarian fruit and vegetables, cigarettes and alcohol were well-known at the Russian market once and today those cannot be found there. The ambassador joked that it was about time the platonic love between both countries to see its real dimensions. He outlined one of the possible actions in this direction:

“Now we have this task to organize the ferry line between Russia and Bulgaria, the way it used to be back in the Soviet Union era: Varna – Ilyichevsk. Today Ilyichevsk is in Ukraine, but I would really love to see a ferry line between Russia and Bulgaria – for instance, linking Burgas with Novorossiysk this time. It could ease the travel a lot and I hope this will happen.”

The ambassador said that during his tours around Bulgaria he was received very well everywhere.

“I feel the support of Bulgaria’s people. That’s why I felt really bad when I heard that the security report of the Bulgarian government outlined Russia as a potential threat. I was surprised by that, as I had never heard it before. I read about this Gallup poll, stating that 85% of the people didn’t recognize Russia as a danger. I do believe in the great development opportunities that we both have, considering our common history, strengthened by the blood spilled by our two peoples.”

There is institutional will for cooperation, the ambassador says and adds:

“There is will. The important thing is to find the touch base, the common interest. Your country is a member of the EU and NATO and has its obligations there, but I think we can cooperate wherever our national interests coincide. Russia has never been and shall never be a threat to Bulgaria.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev