Three top-level Bulgarian delegations visited Kyiv on March 30 and 31, Charge d’Affaires Elena Slatinska-Ovanezova of the Bulgarian Embassy in Ukraine told BTA on Monday.
On March 30, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov led one delegation to the Ukrainian capital, while on March 31 National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan and caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Nadezhda Neynsky took part separately in the second parliamentary summit in Ukraine and an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers.
“The successful visit to Ukraine by caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and the delegation he led was carried out with the assistance of the Bulgarian and Ukrainian institutions and with the participation and support of the Bulgarian Embassy in Kyiv. During the visit, meetings were held at the highest level, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Verkhovna Rada Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk and the friendship group with Bulgaria in the Ukrainian parliament. The delegation included caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Nadezhda Neynsky, caretaker Minister of Transport and Communications Korman Ismailov, caretaker Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov, caretaker Minister of Education and Science Sergei Ignatov and caretaker Minister of Energy Traicho Traikov,” Slatinska-Ovanezova said.
A similar visit from the Bulgarian side at prime ministerial level took place two years ago, and in 2025 there were a number of meetings between then Bulgarian prime minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and representatives of Ukraine’s leadership, including his participation in the fourth Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Odesa, she said.
“At the meetings, Bulgaria’s categorical and consistent support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine was reaffirmed. It was also noted that any peaceful solution should guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security,” Slatinska-Ovanezova said.
“Among the topics was the expansion of cooperation in security and defence, with a focus on stability in the Black Sea region. An important document was signed in this area, the Agreement on Security Cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and Ukraine, which is fully in line with the position of all our European partners. There are a number of areas in which Bulgaria and Ukraine can cooperate, including research, innovation and technology transfer,” Slatinska-Ovanezova noted.
The Bulgarian diplomat also said that another very important document among those signed was the protocol on Bolhrad High School Georgi Rakovski in Odesa Oblast, which secures the functioning of the school and guarantees the teaching of Bulgarian from Year 1 to Year 11 (12), as well as the teaching of a set number of subjects in Bulgarian from Year 10 to Year 11 (12), including Bulgarian literature, history of Bulgaria, Bulgarian traditions and customs, and others in line with the curriculum. The protocol also makes it possible to organize preparatory Bulgarian-language courses for pupils applying for admission to Year 1.
“Bulgarian-language teaching and cooperation with the Ukrainian side were also among the topics discussed during Gurov’s meeting with the Bulgarian community at the Embassy. Representatives of Bulgarian communities from various cities in Ukraine attended, from Kyiv to Odesa and from Kirovohrad to Izmail, among others,” Slatinska-Ovanezova said.
One of the Embassy’s priority areas is expanding opportunities to study Bulgarian and subjects taught in Bulgarian at educational institutions in Ukraine, and another is deepening bilateral cooperation in science and education, which is also on the agenda in relations with the Ukrainian side, Slatinska-Ovanezova said.
As part of this commitment, the Embassy held a number of meetings with the heads of universities and schools where Bulgarian is taught in Ukraine and is preparing new meetings and initiatives, she added.
“It should also be noted that the visit of the three Bulgarian delegations to Kyiv was a challenge in terms of organization and logistics for the Embassy’s small staff. We also relied on support from the Consulate General in Odesa for the visit by National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan, who took part in the second parliamentary summit in Ukraine,” Slatinska-Ovanezova said.
“On the same day, Neynsky took part in the informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU Member States, held jointly with the Ukrainian leadership. During the forum, Bulgaria’s consistent support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, and for the achievement of a just and lasting peace, was reaffirmed. Neynsky also pointed to the importance of international accountability for violations of international law as a key element of any sustainable peace process. She was able to hold a number of important meetings, the main points of which were published in several statements by the Foreign Ministry press service,” Slatinska-Ovanezova said.