Yesterday, 19 March, Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rasmus Lumi opened a new honorary consulate of the Republic of Estonia in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Estonia’s honorary consul in Sofia is Bogomil Tsvetkov Marinov.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Estonia’s non-resident ambassador to Bulgaria, Aune Kotli. Other guests included local ambassadors, honorary consuls of other countries, and representatives of Estonian companies operating in Bulgaria.
In his remarks, Undersecretary Rasmus Lumi emphasised that Estonia and Bulgaria share a long history of friendly relations. “Our ties are based on mutual respect, shared European values and close cooperation within the European Union and NATO,” he said. “The appointment of Bogomil Marinov as Estonia’s honorary consul and the opening of his office here in Sofia is an important and meaningful step that will further strengthen relations between our countries.”
In her speech, Ambassador Aune Kotli noted that for a small country, honorary consuls are a steadfast pillar and extension of diplomacy. “They ensure our visibility and represent us in places where we cannot always be present ourselves,” she stressed.
Bogomil Tsvetkov Marinov has served as Estonia’s honorary consul in Sofia since November last year. “I am honoured by the great trust placed in me and hope to do everything in my power to further strengthen the friendship between Estonia and Bulgaria, as it is friendship that forms the basis for long-term and successful partnerships in both business and culture,” the honorary consul said at the opening. The honorary consulate is located at 13 Lyubata Street, Lyubata Residence, fl. 1, office 1, Sofia 1407, and covers the Sofia region.
Estonia currently has two honorary consulates in Bulgaria: in Sofia and Burgas. The honorary consul in Burgas covers the regions of Burgas, Dobrich, Silistra, Shumen and Varna. The aim of Estonia’s honorary consuls is to promote bilateral economic, educational and cultural relations, and to provide consular services and assistance to Estonian citizens when needed. Estonia does not have an embassy in Sofia; Bulgaria is covered by the Embassy of the Republic of Estonia in Bucharest.
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