site.btaBulgarian Ambassador to Croatia: OECD Accession Is Strategic Foreign Policy Priority of Bulgaria and Croatia

Cooperation between Bulgaria and Croatia and the opportunities for its further development, the shared ambition for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the cultural and historical ties between the two countries are some of the topics discussed by Bulgaria's Ambassador to Croatia, Iva Kruleva, in an extensive interview with Croatia's Glas Slavonije daily.

The Bulgarian diplomat emphasized that in recent decades, Bulgaria had achieved its main foreign policy priorities, becoming a NATO member in 2004 and an EU member in 2007. Currently, the country is striving to join the eurozone and is negotiating membership in the OECD. Ambassador Kruleva said OECD membership is a strategic foreign policy priority for both Bulgaria and Croatia.

She emphasized the centuries-old ties between Bulgaria and Croatia. The first written evidence of Bulgarian-Croatian friendship dates back to the 13th century. Tsar Ivan Asen II issued a charter in 1230 granting Dubrovnik traders, whom he called "dear and loyal guests", the right to trade freely in the lands of the Bulgarian Empire, which spanned a significant territory at the time.

"Throughout Bulgaria's rich history, we have witnessed many close cultural and educational contacts between Bulgaria and Croatia," said the diplomat. The only bas-relief of a foreigner in the building of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is that of the Croatian historian Franjo Racki, author of A History of Bulgaria, discovered in manuscript and published later, said Kruleva.

Asked about Bulgaria's progress in various fields, Kruleva mentioned "key areas such as digitization, infrastructure, and the IT sector." Forecasts by the Finance Ministry and the European Commission suggest that Bulgaria is expected to join the eurozone in the second half of 2025. Bulgaria is investing in green energy, with increased capacity for solar and wind energy production. The energy transition in Bulgaria, led by wind energy, has approximately 700 MW of installed wind energy capacity - a large part of it in northeastern Bulgaria - which is strategically important both for the country’s economic development and energy independence. Other key projects are also planned, including gas interconnectors with neighboring countries, said Kruleva.

"Bulgaria has always firmly supported Croatia - from the period of declaring, recognizing and defending its independence and territorial integrity to its accession to the EU, NATO and other international organizations," said the diplomat. She thanked Croatia for supporting Bulgaria's entry in the Schengen free-travel area, as well as for sharing its experience in the process of joining the eurozone.

Bulgaria will work towards deepening and strengthening cooperation in key areas such as security and defence, trade and economic relations, tourism, education, science and culture, said Kruleva.

She highlighted the major role of representatives of the Bulgarian national minority in Croatia, which, though small in number, is very active in promoting Bulgarian culture and preserving the memory of the centuries-old friendship. In this context, the diplomat singled out the activities of the Bulgarian National Community headed by Rashko Ivanov, of the Croatian-Bulgarian Society with Secretary Diana Glasnova, and of the representative of Bulgarians in Zagreb, Pero Diankov, whose efforts and projects are supported by the Embassy.

Ambassador Kruleva said political and economic relations between Bulgaria and Croatia are traditionally characterized by friendship and cooperation, but there is significant potential for expansion and deepening. Two-way trade has seen significant growth in recent years but is still relatively modest. It totalled EUR 491,767,000 in 2023, and there is a potential for development in agriculture, the food industry, tourism and IT. Both countries are attractive tourist destinations, which is a basis for joint tourism packages.

As to education and research, there is an opportunity for cooperation in joint projects and exchange programmes between higher education institutions and scientific organizations. There is the unique form of cooperation between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, which organize a scientific forum every two years. It is dedicated to Bulgarian-Croatian relations and is followed by the publication of the papers presented at the forum, said Kruleva.

The diplomat noted that Bulgaria has helped Croatia in difficult moments during the formation of the Croatian state and continues to do so now. After the devastating earthquakes in Zagreb and Sisak-Moslavina County in 2020, the Bulgarian government, the city of Sofia, and Bulgarian companies provided humanitarian aid worth around EUR 83,600. Financial assistance of EUR 100,000 was also granted for the restoration of two landmark buildings in Croatia related to Bulgarian history: the Gornjogradska Gimnazija (Upper Town Secondary School) and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (EUR 50,000 each).

Ambassador Kruleva also discussed the Embassy's plans for the year, which include further efforts to build a strategic partnership with Croatia on matters on the agenda of the EU, NATO, the Three Seas Initiative and other organizations, as well as active political dialogue. In 2025, the Bulgarian Embassy in Zagreb will continue to develop cultural and social initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and promoting Bulgarian culture. Events such as Bulgarian Culture Days in Zagreb are planned, which will include a Bulgarian film festival, literary readings, concerts and exhibitions, as well as cooperation in the arts and music.

"Our rich cultural program will be implemented together with the National Community of Bulgarians in Croatia, the Croatian-Bulgarian Society, the representative of Bulgarians in Zagreb, the Bulgarian-Croatian Business Club, the Ivan Vazov Bulgarian Sunday School, the Bulgarian Language course in Zagreb University, and the Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Split, Zdravko Plazonic," Ambassador Iva Kruleva said. She concluded the interview by wishing Croatians health, happiness, prosperity and a peaceful new year.