Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Greece began in 1880, developed gradually over the years, and today are at an exceptional stage of maturity. They are developing constructively, showing an upward trend in all areas. The high level of political relations between the two countries has acquired a strategic character and has seen a qualitative deepening through regular high-level political visits. Greece and Bulgaria are partners and allies in the EU and NATO, cooperating at the level of regional initiatives such as the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation, as well as within the framework of trilateral cooperation between Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.

On 25 March, Greece celebrates Independence Day to commemorate the start of the War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. On this occasion, we present an exclusive interview with the Ambassador of Greece to Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Alexios Marios Liberopoulos.

H.E. Mr. Lyberopoulos has been living in Bulgaria for two and a half years, during which he has traveled extensively across the country. One of the places he dreams of visiting but has not yet had the opportunity to see is the city of Veliko Tarnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria. The Ambassador also mentions the town of Asenovgrad, which has a small Greek community, as another place he very much wants to visit:

Despite his busy schedule and many responsibilities, the Ambassador has managed to visit Plovdiv and several Black Sea cities—Varna, Sozopol, Burgas, Pomorie, and Nesebar. The Ambassador noted that Nesebar reminds him more of Greece, while he feels Sozopol has a stronger Greek presence and a more vibrant atmosphere. His visit to Sozopol was particularly memorable as he inaugurated an exhibition dedicated to Georgios Gounaropoulos, a famous Greek painter born in Sozopol. The event also included the unveiling of a sculpture of Gounaropoulos in one of Sozopol's small squares. The Ambassador admitted that he had not known of the artist’s Bulgarian roots before arriving in our country.

Among all Bulgarian traditions and customs, the Ambassador particularly enjoys the "Survakane." (This is an old Bulgarian custom where children and youngsters go around to all the houses in the village or neighborhood and wish the hosts a happy and healthy new year. Survakane is performed with a decorated stick, known as a survachka - сурвачка - ed.) Such a tradition does not exist in Greece. H.E. Mr. Lyberopoulos also appreciates the Bulgarian enthusiasm surrounding the Martenitsa tradition. 

In Greece, people also wear Martenitsi, but the tradition there is not as widely celebrated as in Bulgaria.

Mr. Lyberopoulos highlights the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector as a key project that has enabled Bulgaria to access non-Russian natural gas through Greece, strengthening energy cooperation.

On March 4, the Ambassador of Greece to Bulgaria met at the Ministry of Energy with the Bulgarian Minister of Energy, Mr. Zhecho Stankov. The two officials reaffirmed the strong strategic cooperation in the energy sector, which enhances energy security in the region, and discussed opportunities for further strengthening the Greece-Bulgaria interconnection projects.

Comparing the two nations, the ambassador observed differences in hospitality and everyday interactions. He noted that people in Sofia tend to be more reserved compared to those in Plovdiv, where they are more smiling and welcoming. In Greece, even in Athens, people generally smile more when interacting with strangers.

On the cultural front, the Greek Embassy actively promotes Greek culture in Bulgaria, though it lacks a dedicated cultural center. Recent initiatives include supporting Greek participation in the Sofia Documentary Festival and the upcoming Ancient Theatre Festival in Plovdiv. The ambassador acknowledged that, despite being neighbors, Bulgarians and Greeks could still learn more about each other’s cultures.

During a recent visit to Stara Zagora, H.E. Mr. Lyberopoulos was impressed by the facilities at Trakia University, which hosts around 360 Greek students who study medicine and veterinary medicine there. The city also has a small but active Greek community, including a school where children can learn Greek. Similar Greek schools exist in Sofia and Sliven. In Sliven, the Greek classes attract the Karakachani population—Bulgarians of Greek origin—but also Bulgarian people who are interested in learning Greek and traditional Greek dances.