Armenia–Bulgaria relations

Armenia–Bulgaria relations

Armenia	Bulgaria

Armenia–Bulgaria relations are foreign relations between Armenia and Bulgaria. Both countries have had diplomatic relations since they were established in 1992. Armenia has an embassy in Sofia; since December 19, 1999, Bulgaria has an embassy in Yerevan. Both countries are full members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

Armenians are the fourth largest minority in Bulgaria, numbering 6,552 according to the 2011 census. There are currently around 30,000 people of Armenian descent living in Bulgaria.

All three Presidents of Armenia have made official visits to Bulgaria and reciprocal visits have also been made by Bulgarian Presidents and Prime Ministers. Armenia exports mainly chemicals, scrap metal and raw materials to Bulgaria, while Bulgaria exports mainly minerals, processed food, rubber and raw materials to Armenia. The Bulgarian coastal city of Varna is a popular tourist destination for Armenian Citizens.

In 2015, Bulgaria officially recognized the Armenian genocide.

History

The first Armenians were mentioned during the golden age of the First Bulgarian Empire, but it became important when one of the most famous person in Bulgarian history, Samuel of Bulgaria, was half-Armenian. Because of this link, this had become an effect for the opening of one of the oldest friendship in the world: the Armenian-Bulgarian friendship.

See also

Armenian Genocide Memorial in Burgas, Bulgaria

• Foreign relations of Armenia
• Foreign relations of Bulgaria
• Armenians in Bulgaria

External links

• Bulgarian embassy in Yerevan
• http://bulgaria.mfa.am/en/ambassador/
• http://www.mfa.am/en/country-by-country/bg/