Home > Foreign relations of Bulgaria
Bulgaria has generally good relations with its neighbors and has proved to be a constructive force in the region under socialist and democratic governments alike. Promoting regional stability, Bulgaria hosted a Southeast European Foreign Ministers meeting in July 1996, and an OSCE conference on Black Sea cooperation in November 1995. Bulgaria also participated in the 1996 South Balkan Defense Ministerial in Albania and is active in the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative.With their close historical, cultural, and economic ties, Bulgaria seeks a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia, on which it is largely dependent for energy supplies. Sporadic negotiations are underway among Greece, Bulgaria, and Russia for construction of a gas pipeline from Burgas on the Black Sea to Alexandropolis to transport Caspian Sea oil.
Bulgaria's EU Association Agreement came into effect in 1994, and Bulgaria formally applied for full EU membership in December 1995. During the 1999For the album by Prince, see 1999 (album 1999 is a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the UN. Events Kosovo War Former child star Gary Coleman files for bankruptcy Y2K prep EU summit in HelsinkiHelsingin kaupunki Helsingfors stad CityHelsinki ( 1550) Administrative Province Southern Finland Historical Province Uusimaa Area Total Land Water Ranked 349th686 kmē186 kmē500 kmē Population Total (2003-12-31) Density Ranked 1st559,3302,923/kmē (1st) Ti, the country was invited to start membership talks with the Union. These are currently completed, and January 1January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Here a calendar year refers to the order in which the months are displayed, January to December. The first day of the medieval Julian year was usually a day other, 20072007 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). Predicted Events January 1 Target date for the admission of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union. March 1 USS Baltimore to be deactivated. March 19 Partial solar eclipse June NASA's M, has been set as Bulgaria's accession date. In 1996, Bulgaria acceded to the Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies" is an arms control arrangement with 33 participating states. It was established after the end of the Cold War as the successor to COCOM. A Secretariat controlling exports of weapons and sensitive technology to countries of concern and also was admitted to the World Trade OrganizationThe World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization which oversees a large number of agreements covering the "rules of trade" between its member states. It was created in 1995 as a secretariat to administer the General Agreement on Tariffs. Bulgaria is a member of the Zangger CommitteeThe Zangger Committee also known as the Nuclear Exporters Committee sprang from Article III. 2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which entered into force on March 5, 1970. Under the terms of Article III. 2 International Atomi and the Nuclear Suppliers GroupThe Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection. After a period of equivocation under a socialist government, in March 1997 a UDF-led caretaker cabinet applied for full NATO membership, which became a reality in April 2004. Talks are underway with the United States for possible military bases and training camps of the U.S. Army in Bulgaria, as part of the Pentagon's restructuring plan.
Bulgaria joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1994 and applied for NATO membership in 1997. During the November 2002 Prague Summit Bulgaria was one of seven former socialist countries invited to join the Alliance. Bulgaria became a member of NATO in April 2004. The country is also working toward NATO compatibility in communications and training, and has established a Peacekeeping Training Center.
In 2003, Bulgaria was elected as a non-permament member of the UN Security Council, proving to be one of 3 closest U.S. allies during the Iraqi Crisis, together with the U.K. and Spain. Bulgaria also presides the OSCE in 2004.
