Bulgaria–Cyprus relations
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations
|title = Bulgaria–Cyprus relations
|party1 = Bulgaria
|party2 = Cyprus
|mission1=Embassy of Bulgaria, Nicosia
|mission2=Embassy of Cyprus, Sofia
}}
Bulgaria–Cyprus relations are the close diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Bulgaria. Bulgaria was one of the first countries to recognise Cypriot independence in 1960, leading to the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2010. These relations have developed positively on the international stage as well as in commerce and strategic affairs.{{cite journal|last=Evripidis |first=Stefanos |title=Close ties with Bulgaria to be built on with joint ventures |url=http://www.cyprus-mail.com/features/close-ties-bulgaria-be-built-joint-ventures/20100221 |journal=Cyprus Mail|date=21 February 2010 |volume=3 |issue=226 |accessdate=2010-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223042515/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/features/close-ties-bulgaria-be-built-joint-ventures/20100221 |archivedate=23 February 2010 }} Bulgaria has an embassy in Nicosia and a consulate general in Limassol. Cyprus has an embassy in Sofia and a branch office in Burgas.
Both countries are full members of Council of Europe and of the European Union.
History
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Ties between the two countries trace two hundred years back when Bulgarian rebels fighting the Ottomans were captured and brought to Nicosia. During their imprisonment, they developed strong friendships with the locals while one captive even wrote an informative diary on Nicosia life in the 1800s.
Educational relations
File:JohnDRCGr358Fol107v.jpg painting at Dujcev Research Centre in Sofia from Cyprus]]
In the last five decades{{which|date=August 2024}}, up to 5,000 Cypriot students have gone to Bulgaria on scholarships awarded by the Bulgarian government. Labour Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous and government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou are two of the more high-profile Bulgarian-speaking graduates. And there are currently around 800 Cypriot students in Bulgaria. Most notably Government spokesman Stefanou studied at the Academy of Social Sciences and Social Administration in Sofia (1984–1989) receiving a degree in political science. During his studies he was actively involved in the Student Movement and served as President of the Student Association of Cypriots in Bulgaria.{{cite web|url=http://www.bgculturalcenter.org/news/|title=Bulgarian educational and cultural center in Cyprus|date=April 2012|accessdate=20 April 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914014454/http://www.bgculturalcenter.org/news|archivedate=14 September 2012}}
Economic cooperation
Cyprus is one of the most powerful investors in Bulgaria, with Cypriot investment reaching €1.7 billion in 2010. An Association under the auspices of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry is established with the name "CYPRUS-BULGARIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION" hereinafter referred to as the "Association" and has an aim to promote, expand and encourage economic and trade relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Bulgaria.{{cite web|url=http://www.cybuba.com/memorandum.html|title=MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE "CYPRUS-BULGARIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION"|date=April 2012|accessdate=20 April 2012|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810181417/http://cybuba.com/memorandum.html|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
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{{Foreign relations of Bulgaria}}
{{Foreign relations of Cyprus}}
{{Portal bar|Politics|Bulgaria|Cyprus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bulgaria-Cyprus relations}}
Category:Bilateral relations of Cyprus
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