site.bta20 Years Bulgaria in NATO: Timeline

1951

October 20, Zeilsheim, Frankfurt, West Germany. 200 defectors from communist regime set up “Bulgarian Volunteer Company 4093” - de facto first Bulgarian military unit in NATO. Incorporated in US Army Labor Service, in 1953 successively rebased in Eschborn, Miesau and Germersheim, disbanded June 30, 1964. Company is assigned to guard NATO ammunition and weapons depots and military equipment storehouses in West Germany.

1990

July 13, Sofia. Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues declaration accepting NATO's invitation to establish regular diplomatic liaison.

August 23, Sofia. Dr Solomon Passy, Member of Parliament from Union of Democratic Forces, enters motion at Seventh Grand National Assembly on Bulgaria’s political and military integration into NATO’s structures. His arguments are based on conclusions of report on USSR’s imminent disintegration. Also in August, Passy drafts bill on Bulgaria’s accession to North Atlantic Alliance.

August 30, Sofia/Brussels. Bulgaria establishes diplomatic relations with NATO.

November 14, Sofia. National Assembly resolves to mandate Council of Ministers to start consultations on terms for Bulgaria’s accession to NATO under Article 10 of Washington Treaty (NATO's founding charter).

November 21, Mons, Belgium. Five Bulgarian MPs become first parliamentarians from Eastern Europe to visit NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

1991

April 4, Sofia. Atlantic Club of Bulgaria is founded by group of politicians, journalists, diplomats and artists as non-partisan, non-governmental pressure group focused on achieving country’s accession to NATO and its Euro-Atlantic orientation. Passy is elected President of Club, which is only one to be established so far in non-NATO country. Club’s birthday is same as NATO’s.

June 13, Sofia. Dr Manfred Worner becomes first NATO Secretary General to visit Bulgaria. He addresses Parliament and delivers speech at Sofia University.

July 1, Prague. Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania (better known as Warsaw Pact) is terminated by protocol in wake of disbandment of its military organization on April 1, 1991. President Zhelyu Zhelev signs protocol for Bulgaria.

November 14, Brussels. President Zhelev becomes first Bulgarian head of State to visit NATO Headquarters.

December 20, Brussels. North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC) is established, with Bulgaria as founding member.

1992

November 1, Copenhagen. At its 38th General Assembly, Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA) admits Atlantic Club of Bulgaria as Associate Member. Club is first from non-NATO country to be granted such status.

1993

December 21, Sofia. National Assembly adopts Declaration by which it declares itself in favour of pressing ahead with efforts to take opportunities for cooperation offered by NATO so that, in future enlargement of that organization, Bulgaria would join it while national interests are fully respected.

1994

February 14, Brussels. Bulgaria is among first countries of Eastern Europe to officially join NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) initiative as President Zhelev signs PfP Framework Document.

1996

November 4, Rome. 42nd ATA General Assembly elects Atlantic Club of Bulgaria President Solomon Passy Vice-President of ATA. Passy thus becomes first representative of Eastern Europe to be elected to senior position in NATO.

1997

February 17, Sofia. By Stefan Sofiyanki’s caretaker Cabinet Decision No. 192 of 1997, Bulgaria formally applies for full NATO membership. Decision expresses Bulgaria’s desire to be regarded as country ready to be invited to negotiations on accession to North Atlantic Treaty. On same day, President Petar Stoyanov addresses nation, saying that Government’s decision responds to desire of overwhelming majority of Bulgarian citizens who feel integral part of free world.

March 17, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts National Programme for Preparation and Accession of Republic of Bulgaria to NATO.

May 8, Sofia. National Assembly adopts Declaration of National Accord, setting Bulgaria’s accession to NATO as top national priority.

May 30, Sintra, Portugal. Bulgaria participates in inaugural meeting of Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) at foreign minister level.

June 20, Cape Butmir, Sarajevo. 36-strong Bulgarian engineer platoon contributed to NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is placed under Dutch contingent command (until November 1, 2001).

October 3-8, Sofia. Atlantic Treaty Association holds its 43rd General Assembly in Bulgaria’s capital. For first time, event is held in non-NATO country. Over 700 delegates from 40 countries attend.

December 1, Brussels. Bulgaria establishes Permanent Diplomatic Mission to NATO (mission opens June 12, 1998).

1998

April 4, Sofia. NATO Information Centre is formally inaugurated by NATO Secretary General Javier Solana. Sofia is only third city to host such centre after Moscow and Kyiv.

February 28, 1998 - June 11, 1999. In Kosovo War, Ivan Kostov Cabinet supports NATO operation in spite of divided public opinion (leftist opposition organizes street protests in Sofia over NATO bombing of Yugoslavia).

June 20, Sarajevo. 26-strong Bulgarian transportation platoon participates in HELBA/BELUGA logistic group of SFOR (until January 15, 2001).

August, Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. Seven Bulgarian service members responsible for civil-military cooperation are deployed at SFOR Headquarters (until December 2, 2004).

1999

April 28, Gorna Banya. Errant NATO missile hits home in this Sofia suburb. Nobody is injured by explosion. This is fourth NATO missile that has fallen in Bulgaria during five-week air campaign against Yugoslavia.

May 4, Sofia. National Assembly authorizes NATO to use Bulgarian airspace (blanket overflight clearance) and territory for Allied air campaign against Yugoslavia.

June 12, Sofia. Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania deny overflight to aircraft seeking to reinforce and resupply Russian forces occupying Pristina Airport which had road marched into Kosovo until NATO and Russia could reach agreement on employment of Russian peacekeepers.

2000

January 28, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Agreement with NATO on Bulgaria’s participation in NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission.

February 9, Prizren. Bulgaria joins KFOR with 40-member engineer platoon (until December 2009).

October 12-13, Sofia. NATO Aspirant Countries Defence Ministerial Meeting takes place in Bulgaria’s capital with participation of NATO Secretary General George Robertson and delegates from newly admitted members Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

2001

March 21, Brussels. Bulgaria and NATO sign Agreement regarding the Transit of NATO Forces and NATO Personnel, intended to facilitate use of Bulgaria’s territory for future NATO-led operations.

September 11-21, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Krumovo Airfield, Koren Training Ground. PfP annual multinational air exercise Cooperative Key 2001 is conducted in Bulgaria, involving 1,300 persons and 72 aircraft from 25 countries.

October 5, Sofia. Bulgaria hosts meeting of heads of State of countries applying for NATO membership.

November 13, Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. 38-strong Bulgarian mechanized platoon is attached to Dutch SFOR contingent for patrolling, checks and duty rounds at checkpoints (until December 2, 2004).

2002

January 2, Camp Butmir, Sarajevo. 149-strong force protection company, attached to SFOR HQ, engages in operation (until December 2, 2004).

January 21, Sofia. After authorization granted by National Assembly, Council of Ministers designates Bulgarian contingent for participation in UN-mandated, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

February 16, Kabul. 32-strong Bulgarian platoon mans decontamination shower and laundry facility for ISAF (until July 29, 2003).

May 25-28, Sofia. For first time, Bulgaria’s capital hosts Spring Session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

November 21, Prague. At meeting of North Atlantic Council, Heads of State and Government of NATO member countries extend official invitation to Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia to begin accession talks to join Alliance.

November 21, Sofia. National Assembly votes, 210-1 with 2 abstentions, to adopt declaration in connection with invitation to Bulgaria to join NATO. Parliament expresses its satisfaction with invitation and its determination to continue its steadfast and purposeful work for ensuring successful completion of accession process.

2003

January 10, Brussels. First round of Bulgaria's accession negotiations with NATO takes place at NATO Headquarters, covering political, economic, defence issues and military cooperation.

February 10-11, Brussels. Conclusive second round of negotiations on budgetary, resource, security, and legal aspects of Bulgaria's NATO membership. Bulgarian delegation to both rounds is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Ivanov.

February 17, Sofia. Bulgaria is first of seven invitee countries to be visited by NATO Secretary General George Robertson.

February 27, Sofia. Council of Ministers approves Letter of Intent confirming Bulgaria's interest, willingness, and ability to join Alliance and Timetable for Completion of Reforms in connection with Bulgaria's accession to NATO.

March 7, Brussels. Bulgaria's Reform Timetable is presented at meeting of NATO's Senior Political Committee in 19+1 format.

March 26, Brussels. Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia are signed by permanent representatives of 19 Allies at ceremony at NATO Headquarters. Bulgarian delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Solomon Passy.

March 28, Sofia. National Assembly adopts Declaration on Bulgaria's NATO Accession Protocol. Legislature votes, 6-161 with 3 abstentions, to defeat Socialist MP’s motion on holding referendum on Bulgaria's accession to NATO.

May 10, Washington, D.C. US President George W. Bush meets foreign ministers of seven East European countries invited to join NATO, including Solomon Passy of Bulgaria, in presence of Vice President Richard Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, and US Senators.

June 12, 2003, Brussels. Nikolai Svinarov becomes first Bulgarian defence minister to take part in a NATO Defence Planning Committee Session.

June 19, Brussels. Bulgaria and six other invitees get access to NATO classified information according to report adopted by NATO Council.

August 19, Camp Warehouse, Afghanistan. 45-member Bulgarian mechanized infantry platoon joins German guard company in ISAF (withdrawn November 2009).

August 30 - September 16, Graf Ignatievo Air Base. NATO/PfP exercise Cooperative Key 2003 takes place with participation of 1,250 service members from 24 countries.

December 19, Sofia. National Assembly declares its approval of government institutions’ efforts to speed up Bulgaria’s entry into North Atlantic Alliance and its readiness to undertake without delay constitutional procedure for Bulgaria’s accession to North Atlantic Treaty.

2004

February 5, Sofia. Council of Ministers approves North Atlantic Treaty and moves it for ratification to National Assembly.

February 27, Brussels. Bulgaria’s NATO Accession Protocol enters into force after its acceptance by all 19 Allies: Canada (March 28, 2003), Norway (May 6), Denmark (June 10), Czech Republic (September 4), United Kingdom (October 23), Poland (October 30), Italy (November 6), Luxembourg (November 14), Spain (November 26), Germany (December 2), Iceland (December 15), Hungary (December 23), Belgium (January 9, 2004), Greece (January 23), Netherlands (February 2), France (February 25), Portugal (February 10), Turkiye (February 27), and United States (February 27).

March 1, Brussels. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer informs Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy that all Allies have deposited their ratification instruments for accession protocols with US State Department.

March 18, Sofia. Bulgaria’s National Assembly ratifies by law North Atlantic Treaty, signed at Washington D.C. on 4 April 1949. Out of 230 MPs attending, 225 vote in favour and four (of Socialist-dominated Coalition for Bulgaria) against. Right in debating chamber, President Georgi Parvanov signs decree on promulgation of ratification law, and that law and Treaty itself are promulgated almost simultaneously in extraordinary issue of State Gazette, No. 22 of 2004.

March 23, Sofia. Interdepartmental Council for Bulgaria's Integration into NATO appoints 249 national representatives to 196 NATO committees and other bodies.

March 26, Brussels. Foreign Ministers Solomon Passy of Bulgaria and Mircea Geoana of Romania sign their countries’ NATO Accession Protocols.

March 29, Washington, D.C. At ceremony at US Treasury Department, Prime Ministers Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha of Bulgaria, Juhan Parts of Estonia, Indulis Emsis of Latvia, Algirdas Brazauskas of Lithuania, Adrian Nastase of Romania, Mikulas Dzurinda of Slovakia and Anton Rop of Slovenia hand instruments of their countries’ ratification of North Atlantic Treaty to US Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, who accepts them on behalf of his Department as Depository of Treaty. At White House, US President George W. Bush receives NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and heads of government of seven new members. Bulgaria thus joins NATO as its 20th member country in organization’s fifth and largest 'Bing Bang' wave of enlargement.

March 29. Bulgarian Air Force MiG-21 and MiG-29 begin safeguarding Allied air space as integral part of NATO’s Air Policing mission.

April 2, Brussels. At 9:45 a.m. local time, Bulgarian national flag is hoisted in front of NATO Headquarters by Sergeant Nikolai Stoykov of Georgi Benkovski Air Force Base in Dolna Mitropolia as national anthem is played. Flag-raising ceremony for seven newly admitted NATO members is attended by foreign ministers of 26 member countries, including Solomon Passy of Bulgaria (who is moved to tears as tricolour goes up), and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

April 2, Sofia. President Georgi Purvanov, Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov, Interior Minister Georgi Petkanov and Chief of General Staff of Bulgarian Armed Forces, General Nikola Kolev, lead ceremony in Nezavisimost Square for Bulgaria's accession to NATO. Concert and festive street parade also mark occasion.

April 15, Mons, Belgium. Flags of seven new NATO member countries are ceremonially raised at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Bulgarian delegation is headed by Chief of General Staff of Bulgarian Armed Forces, General Nikola Kolev.

June 28, Istanbul. Bulgaria, represented by President Georgi Parvanov, attends its first NATO Summit as full member of Alliance.

July 14, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces, done at London on June 19, 1951, and Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters set Up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty, done at Paris on August 28, 1952.

September 8, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty for the Security of Information, done at Brussels on March 6, 1997.

September 15, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, done at Ottawa on September 20, 1951.

September 29, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Agreement on the Status of Missions and Representatives of Third States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, done at Brussels on September 14, 1994.

2005

April 26, Brussels. At formal ceremony, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia sign Memorandum of Understanding for the formation and sustainment of a Joint Theatre Movement Staff (JTMS) Multinational Integrated Logistic Unit (MILU) to perform theatre movement co-ordination duties in support of a NATO operation or exercise.

August 25 - September 9, Graf Ignatievo Air Base. NATO's international exercise Cooperative Key 2005 takes place, involving 1,600-plus military and civilians from 30 participating and observer countries with 65 aircraft.

2006

August 1 - December 1, Kabul Afghanistan International Airport (KAIA). 70 Bulgarian Air Force officers (66 men and 4 women) manage KAIA.

October, Baghdad. Bulgaria sends four military instructors to NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I). Two officers are deployed at NTM-I headquarters in January 2009. Mission comes to end in December 2011.

2007

Afghanistan. Bulgaria increases its contribution by one mechanized company in Kabul (withdrawn in November 2009), one company to secure inner perimeter of Kandahar Airfield, air traffic control experts for Kabul Airport, and military police platoon.

2008

October 23, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Albania’s and Croatia’s NATO Accession Protocols.

2009

January, Kabul. Bulgarian company takes over outer security perimeter of Kabul Airport. Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLT) in support of Afghan National Army are sent to Kandahar, followed by another 3 OMLT (2 to Kabul and 1 to Kandahar) and Senior Advisers Team in 2011.

August 4, Sofia. Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) holds its 62nd Summer Congress in Bulgaria’s capital.

2011

May 27-30, Varna. Bulgarian National Assembly hosts Spring Session of NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

2012

July 9-11, Sofia. Multinational project titled "Female Leaders in Security and Defence" (FLSD), implemented within framework of NATO's Smart Defence Initiative with focus on leadership, personnel and training, is launched at Sofia Conference on “FLSD: A Roadmap to Turn Potential into Capabilities”. Taking part are over 150 participants from 31 NATO nations, Southeastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) countries and other interested countries. Bulgaria is project’s lead nation.

2012-December 2014

Afghanistan. Three-stage transformation of Bulgarian participation in ISAF, leading to 78% reduction of contingent’s 2011 personnel size. Remaining troops contribute to training of Afghan National Security Forces.

2013

September 26, Brussels. At signing ceremony led by NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, Bulgaria joins NATO’s Building Integrity (BI) Trust Fund as sixth lead nation, other five being Belgium, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and UK.

November 20, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts decision approving Bulgaria’s participation in NATO-led non-combat Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan.

2014

June 17-19, Sofia. NATO Strategic Military Partners Conference (SMPC) takes place, organized by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation.

August 22, Brussels. Bulgaria takes over rotating Presidency of Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers for two years (until 2016).

2015

January 1, 2015 - September 1, 2021, Kabul, Kandahar, Bagram. Bulgaria contributes to RSM with contingents ranging from 80 to 126 troops, securing inner perimeter of Kandahar Airfield, inspecting traffic, securing part of inner perimeter of Bagram Airfield, and round-the-clock duty at command centre and base operations centre.

March 15, Sofia. Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE), hosted by Bulgaria, receives official accreditation as 21st NATO Centre of Excellence.

September 3, Sofia. NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) is officially activated as one of six such small headquarters based in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania.

2016

June 30, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Montenegro’s NATO Accession Protocol.

September 9-16, Graf Ignatievo Air Base. U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets, in close cooperation with Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29s, begin NATO’s enhanced Air Policing measures to protect Bulgarian airspace. Augmentation missions were recommenced by Italian Air Force Eurofighters in 2017 and USAF F-16s in September 2020, to help Bulgaria police Alliance airspace in and around Black Sea region.

2017

June 15, Sofia. Atlantic Council of Bulgaria (ACB) is established as non-profit organization with foremost objective to enhance Bulgaria’s role in NATO and EU as worthy partner and reliable Ally.

2018

October 17, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts decision on Bulgaria contributing up to four service members to non-combat advisory and capacity-building NATO Mission Iraq (NMI).

2019

February 20, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law North Macedonia’s NATO Accession Protocol.

April 11, Sofia. BTA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Diplomatic Institute at Foreign Ministry and Atlantic Club of Bulgaria co-organize International Conference “NATO@70: 10 Years Ahead and 15 Years Bulgaria in NATO”.

2021

April 15, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts decision on discontinuing Bulgaria’s participation in RSM after 42 Bulgarian military contingents totalling 11,200 service members are contributed to ISAF and RSM in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2021.

2022

January 27, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts national position on establishing up to 1,000-strong battalion-size NATO multinational battlegroup, with Bulgaria as Host Nation and Framework Nation. This is one of eight such battlegroups along Alliance’s eastern flank, rest being in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

March 1, Sofia. Forward Land Forces Battlegroup Bulgaria (FLFBG) is established and tasked with enhancing NATO’s vigilance and reinforcing its defence posture. Battlegroup declares initial operational capability on March 4.

April, Brussels. NATO selects Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) with St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Professor Tsvetan Lazarov Bulgarian Defence Institute and Research and Development and Innovation Consortium at Sofia Tech Park as test centres for development of new technologies in big data, autonomy and AI as part of Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) network.

May 20, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts decision approving assumption by Italy of FLFBG Framework Nation role.

July 13, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO Accession Protocols.

July 19-20, Sofia. FLFBG Contributing States hold force generation conference to fill battlegroup roster: Bulgaria (manoeuvre company, military police team, HQ personnel), Italy (Framework Nation), US (manoeuvre company), Montenegro (light infantry platoon, military police team), Greece (anti-tank platoon), Albania (light infantry platoon), North Macedonia (light infantry platoon), Turkiye (Close Air Defence Section located in Turkish territory), and Romania (communications and information (CIS) support unit).

October 17, Novo Selo Training Area. At official ceremony, Italy takes over from Bulgaria as FLFBG Framework Nation.

2023

May 31-June 1, Sofia. Crisis Management and Disaster Support Centre of Excellence hosts 11th Annual Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence Conference.

September, Pristina. Bulgaria’s KFOR contingent is reinforced, adding 140-strong light infantry company in 2nd Battalion of KFOR Operational Reserve Force to 34 previously deployed service persons.

June 26 - July 5, Novo Selo Training Area. Two-stage exercise Enhanced Vigilance Activity-23 takes place, involving 1,200-plus troops from seven NATO member countries.

August 2, Sofia. Council of Ministers adopts decision authorizing participation of up to 16 service members of Bulgarian Deployable CIS Module - Foxtrot (DCM-F) in NATO Mission Iraq for up to six months, starting November 11.

November 10, Novo Selo Training Area. North Atlantic Council at Permanent Representatives level pays first visit to Bulgaria, together with NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana observes Iron Strike 2023 exercise of multinational battlegroup Bulgaria.

2024

March 21, Sofia. 31 MPs of nationalist Vazrazhdane Party table Bill on Denunciation of the North Atlantic Treaty, Signed at Washington D.C. on 4 April 1949, arguing that Bulgaria’s ongoing membership in Alliance is detrimental to country’s defence and armament and poses increasing risk to Bulgaria’s sovereignty and national security.

March 22, Sofia. National Assembly ratifies by law Participating Partners Agreement on NATO Innovation Fund, signed for Bulgaria in Luxembourg on July 23, 2023.

May 24-27, Sofia. NATO Parliamentary Assembly to hold Spring Session in Bulgaria’s capital.