site.btaAugust 29, 1990: Bulgaria Establishes Diplomatic Relations with NATO

On August 29, 1990, Bulgaria established diplomatic relations with NATO. That followed a declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated July 13, 1990, saying that Bulgaria accepts the invitation extended by NATO to establish regular diplomatic liaison. 

On this day, Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgium Atanas Ginchev presented a letter to NATO Secretary General Manfred Wörner from Bulgarian Foreign Minister Boyko Dimitrov, informing the addressee that the Bulgarian Ambassador has been instructed to "maintain regular diplomatic relations with NATO". 

On February 5, 2004, the Bulgarian Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria approves the North Atlantic Treaty and submits to the National Assembly a proposal to ratify the Treaty. On March 16, the Bulgarian Parliament ratifies the North Atlantic Treaty, performing one of the last acts that will take Bulgaria to full membership of NATO. Finally, on March 29, Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha formally hands to US State Secretary Colin Powell the instruments of Bulgaria's accession to NATO, whereby Bulgaria becomes a full member of the Alliance.