There are politicians in Bulgaria who, despite the Brussels course of the ruling majority, are ready to work with Russia. This was stated by the Russian ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova in an interview with TASS.
„The majority of Bulgarian politicians and the government follow the Brussels course and are not interested in restoring relations with Russia, but there is the PP „Vazrazhdane“, the Bulgarian Socialists, ABV and other political and public associations that are conductors of common sense. Together with them, we celebrate the holidays of our joint history. We hope that together with them we will appropriately celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, but what is important here is the situation on the front and the actions to further resolve the conflict with Ukraine. In any case, we will celebrate May 9 here. We will definitely go to Plovdiv, where we traditionally gather at the monument “Alyosha“, all this will be very solemn and the good tradition will continue“, the diplomat said.
Mitrofanova reported that despite the anniversary date of bilateral relations, Bulgaria and Russia have experienced an eventful 2024 without official contacts.
“The past 2024 was very eventful. One of the main events was the 145th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Russia. We did not celebrate this date at an official level, but thanks to public organizations, two conferences were prepared and held in Sofia and Moscow with the participation of scientists, politicians and public figures. The anniversary provided an opportunity to analyze the path taken and determine tasks for the future, brochures with statements by the participants will be published“, noted Mitrofanova.
The diplomat noted with satisfaction that Bulgarian politicians and businessmen have participated in a number of important events in Russia. “This year, large economic forums were traditionally held in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok, as well as many events in various Russian cities in connection with our country's presidency of the BRICS. And I am very pleased to note the participation of Bulgarian business and Bulgarian politicians, which gives positive impulses for future cooperation“, she said.
Mitrofanova emphasized that at the official level, business relations between Bulgaria and Russia are frozen. “I will say it directly: at the official level, there are practically no relations between our countries. There are no contacts either through the government or through the parliament, there is only some cooperation through law enforcement agencies, i.e. expressed in extradition. That's all“, said the ambassador.
At the same time, Mitrofanova spoke about “substantive contacts” with individual politicians, non-governmental organizations and citizens. “We have contacts with a number of Bulgarian politicians. We exchange opinions on current topics. Bulgarian politicians go to events in the Russian Federation because they do not want to lose contact with their Russian colleagues. We have the most wonderful relations with the citizens, with our compatriots, with non-governmental organizations that have worked and continue to work in the field of Bulgarian-Soviet, and then Russian-Bulgarian relations, in any city where I go, I meet a huge number of people, they simply come up to me on the street, express their solidarity with us and wish us success“.
"In Bulgaria, there are about 50 monuments dedicated to the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. There are also 180 monuments dedicated to the liberation of Bulgaria from the Red Army together with the Bulgarian Volunteers at the end of World War II. It should be noted that the monuments are generally well maintained, but, of course, no one is immune from attacks. In October, after a rapid public reaction, the traces of the encroachment on a monument to Soviet soldiers in the Sofia district of “Lozenets“ were quickly erased.
The ambassador spoke with regret about the fate of the monument to the Soviet Army, which was cut into pieces and removed from its pedestal under the pretext of “restoration”. “The local authorities acted quite cunningly, they said that they were not demolishing this monument, but would restore it, since there was rust, the structure was rusty, etc. But we understand very well that this was not necessary at all.