CURRENT RELATIONS
Bilateral relations between Algeria and Bulgaria are excellent. They date back to the period of the war of national liberation, marked by the active support of Bulgaria to the Algerian struggle for freedom. After gaining independence, these relations were further strengthened.
However these relations were marked by a relative stagnation in the nineties, largely due to the evolution of the internal situation and the political changes experienced by the two countries, and as a consequence of major political and economic changes having occurred in international relations.
Following a series of internal developments in Algeria, the country was faced with an extremely difficult situation that did not fail to influence its place on the international stage and its relations with a number of its partners.
Bulgaria, on the other hand, lived in the whirl of its priorities and preoccupations, as a result of its political and economical opening to the world through the country’s accession to the European Union and NATO.
Since 1999, Bulgaria has been seeking ways to reconnect with the Arab World and Algeria in particular. This new orientation of Bulgaria’s foreign policy was further strengthened under the government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov who took office after the parliamentary elections in July 2009.
As a consequence, bilateral relations experienced a resurgence of activity. The willingness of two parties to boost bilateral cooperation was manifested through high-level visits exchanges. However, trade and economic relations are developing unevenly. In this regard, the next Cooperation Joint Committee meeting could offer an adequate opportunity for their recovery.
The bilateral legal framework consists of several Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties since 1962. New agreements were also signed between the two countries during meetings of the Cooperation Joint Committee held in Algiers and Sofia in 2007, 2011 and 2014.
To give a new start to Algerian-Bulgarian cooperation, a great number of contacts were established with political officials, CEOs of institutions and economic organizations, as well as with Bulgarian journalists.
The purpose of these contacts is to help Bulgarians working in various fields of activity better understand our national realities and appreciate the promising perspectives our country offers as a result of the economic development and modernization policy engaged its Chief Executive.
Practical initiatives have already been undertaken. The first consisted in the signature of two agreements between the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI) and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). These include an agreement of cooperation between the two chambers on the one hand, and an agreement to create a bilateral business forum, on the other hand.
Secondly, the Embassy and the BCCI organized together a business Forum on 2016 with the purpose to make Bulgarian entrepreneurs acquainted with the opportunities that Algeria offers for the development of mutually beneficial business relations and partnerships in many various sectors, such as energy, building and construction, civil engineering, mining, and others. Furthermore a Visio-conference was also held in April 2022.
Even economic relations remain well below the potential existing in the two countries, the organizations of business forums are encouraging signs. In this regard, initiatives aimed at the development of economic and commercial ties should be taken. Indeed, the legal basis consisting of several Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding necessary for the framework of its relations has been signed between the two countries.
Furthermore, projects of official visits to Algiers and Sofia are being discussed. Their materialization would open new and important horizons to the development of Algeria - Bulgaria relations.
Bulgaria is an important member of the international community, having in mind, in particular, its accession to the EU and NATO. This offers the country an important outlook for the future, enhancing its role in Europe and, more generally, on the international stage. Therefore, our relations with this partner will be given their due importance.