site.btaRussian Federation Has 22 Diplomatic and 22 Administrative-Technical Staff in Bulgaria

The Russian Federation has 22 diplomatic and 22 administrative-technical staff in Bulgaria, Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev said, replying to Stela Nikolova MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria. The response was published on the website of the National Assembly.

The question concerns the reciprocity of diplomatic representatives. Nikolova also asked about the reasoning behind granting permission for the reopening of the Russian Consulate General in Varna.

In March 2022, the Russian Federation declared Bulgaria and other EU and NATO Member States "unfriendly countries". As of now, although not completely severed, relations between the two countries are at one of their lowest levels.

The activities of the Russian Consulate General in Varna have not been permanently discontinued but have been suspended due to a combination of logistical and administrative factors. The future activity of the Consulate General depends on the establishment of a permanent seat of the consular representation in Varna and on the diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Russia, Georgiev further said.

A fundamental principle in the diplomatic relations between any two sovereign states is the principle of reciprocity, Georgiev said. Any decision regarding the functioning of Russia's Consulate General in Varna is directly linked to the status and activities of Bulgaria's Consulate General in St. Petersburg. A shift in this balance would have direct implications for the consular presence of both countries. A potential closure of the Bulgarian Consulate General in St. Petersburg would deprive the Bulgarian community in that part of the Russian Federation of access to consular services, including various types of consular assistance, the Foreign Minister explained.