Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Bulgaria

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 is in full swing here in Bulgaria!
Our Embassy, as well as the German Embassy/Deutsche Botschaft Sofia, were supporters of the prestigious Burgas Connectivity Forum organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Bulgarien.
Founded in 2023, the Burgas Connectivity Forum quickly established itself as a high-level international platform that brings together representatives from politics, diplomacy, business, academia, and civil society.
The Forum was organized in partnership with the Municipality of Burgas and the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce/Германо-Българска индустриално-търговска камара (AHK Bulgarien), with the assistance of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy.
Our Embassy’s participation was within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union; bearing in mind that the Forum fosters dialogue and strategic cooperation in Southeast Europe, as well as energy cooperation in the region.

Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides was one of the main speakers at the event stressing the following on energy connectivity:

• The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 views connectivity as a key pillar of Europe’s strategic autonomy, helping diversify energy sources, routes and partnerships.
• The Eastern Mediterranean can contribute significantly to European energy security through natural gas, LNG infrastructure and major interconnection projects such as the Great Sea Interconnector.
• Regional initiatives like the Vertical Gas Corridor demonstrate how Southeast Europe is building a more integrated, diversified and resilient energy architecture.
• Connectivity is more than infrastructure—it is also diplomacy, cooperation and the creation of shared interests that strengthen stability across the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Black Sea region.

We would like to thank Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes and Zlatozara Stoilova, as well as Prof. Markos Troulis.

Our Embassy would like to express sincere appreciation to the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Mihaela Dotsova/Михаела Доцова, for hosting a meeting with the Heads of Mission of EU Member States.
We also appreciated her willingness to hold such informative exchanges on a six-monthly basis with each Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The discussion provided a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand the priorities of the new Bulgarian Parliament and to exchange views on Bulgaria's role within the European Union and the broader European agenda.

Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides addressed the priorities and achievements of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 and pointed that European unity is of utmost importance; since our Union is facing many challenges within the regional and global context.

Key messages highlighted by President Dotsova during the meeting included:

• The importance of political stability and institutional predictability for Bulgaria's development and international standing.

• The need to advance key legislative priorities and reforms that will strengthen competitiveness and economic growth.

• Bulgaria's commitment to play an active and constructive role within the European Union.

• Bulgaria's determination to remain a predictable and reliable partner that treats all EU Member States with respect, solidarity and a sense of unity; recognizing that we are all part of one European family.

Thank you for the warm hospitality and the open, substantive and forward-looking discussion madam President!

Our Embassy organised today the sixth regular EU Heads of Mission meeting under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026.
We were honoured to welcome the Chairman of the political party
''We Continue the Change”, Mr. Assen Vassilev, and the Chairman of the parliamentary group "We Continue the Change", Acad. Nikolai Denkov.
Former Prime Minister Denkov (2023-24) and Deputy Prime Minister Vassilev (2021-22) emphasized on their party’s role as a responsible opposition, after the recent parliamentary election in Bulgaria.
Both Ambassadors and honourable guests discussed current issues and challenges that affect Bulgaria and the region, as well as the European Union as a whole.
We thank again Mr. Vassilev and Professor Denkov for the fruitful discussion and exchange of views!

Being the Presidency of the Council of the European Union has its positive perks!

After a very thoughtful and interesting discussion between the EU Ambassadors in Sofia and President of Bulgaria Ms Iliana Iotova, under the CY Presidency, we were all surprised to see the leading members of Iron Maiden waiting for her outside the meeting venue!

They were performing in Sofia the same night, on May 26, and they simply wanted to greet the Bulgarian President.

After their meet and greet, the EU Member States Ambassadors had the chance to meet and photograph with the legendary rock band members!

A family photo ensued in front of the Cyprus Presidency banner.

Thanking Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers and Simon Dawson!

Up the Irons!

On May 26, our Embassy organised the 5th EU Heads of Mission meeting in Sofia, within the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026.

We were honoured to have with us the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, H.E. Ms Iliana Iotova/Илияна Йотова.

A mutually beneficial and fruitful exchange of views ensued between the Bulgarian President and the EU Members States' Ambassadors.

Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides referred to the priorities and achievements of the Cyprus Presidency, with emphasis on the need for a more Autonomous European Union.

President Iotova congratulated Cyprus on its successful Presidency and emphasized that she supports the notion for a more Autonomous EU.

Within the context of the discussion with the Ambassadors and answering to many questions the Bulgarian President stated that:

-The EU is able to achieve strategic autonomy and regain its leadership role.

-With regard to global conflicts, Europe must have a consolidated position.

-There is no change in Bulgaria's Foreign Policy orientation, which made its choice long time ago.

-The EU must strengthen its defence capabilities and build a comprehensive security and defence policy.

-In this regard, reinforcing the European defence and security pillar is a must.

-Bulgaria is active on the Energy Union with various projects such as the Vertical Gas Corridor.

-The Multiannual Financial Framework must ensure both financial stability and the preservation of policies aimed at equalizing living standards across the member states.

-On EU enlargement, Bulgaria supports that every country must meet all the criteria for membership before being admitted to the Union.

On 21 May 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus and the Centre for Greek Language and Culture of the Faculty of Philology at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo organized a literary event entitled “Point of Departure and Return: Cyprus In and Beyond the Sea”, within the framework of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 and with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.

The event was hosted and co-organized by the Regional Library “P. R. Slaveykov”/Народна библиотека "П. Р. Славейков" of the city.

It was a special afternoon where particular emphasis was placed on contemporary Cypriot poetry as an expression of identity, memory, and connection beyond geographical borders.

The event brought together professors, students of Greek studies at Veliko Tarnovo University, and pupils from the “Vicho Gruncharov” Secondary School.

Distinguished poets Eleni Kefala, Avgi Lilli, Eftychia Panayiotou, and Erina Charalambous introduced their work through poetry readings.

Following the event, an exhibition of books by Cypriot authors translated into Bulgarian was inaugurated, offering the public an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the island’s contemporary literary scene.

Greetings were delivered to the guests by Mr. Haralambos Kafkarides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Bulgaria; Associate Professor Anna Ivanova, Vice-Rector for International Relations at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo; Marianna Burova, Director of the Regional Library; and Irena Stasinopoulou, Vice-President of the Municipal Council of the city.

The event was moderated by Professor Dimitrios Roumpos and Assistant Professor Emilia Avgkinova-Nikolova.

The main cultural event ''Point of Departure/ Point of Return: Cyprus in and Beyond the Sea'' dedicated to Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 was held at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" with great success.

We thank the Deputy Ministry of Culture CY, Georgi Gospodinov, Avgi Lilli, Erina Charalambous, Eftychia Panayiotou and Eleni Kefala.

📢 Σήμερα, 15/05/2026, η Φοιτητική Οργάνωση Κυπρίων Βουλγαρίας (Φ.Ο.Κ.Β.) πραγματοποίησε συνάντηση με τον Πρέσβη της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας στη Βουλγαρία, κ. Χαράλαμπο Καυκαρίδη.

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Κατά τη διάρκεια της συνάντησης παρουσιάσαμε τη δράση, τους στόχους και τις θέσεις της οργάνωσής μας, ενώ συζητήσαμε ζητήματα που απασχολούν τους Κύπριους φοιτητές στη Βουλγαρία.

👉🏻 Παράλληλα, έγινε ανταλλαγή απόψεων σχετικά με:
• τις δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουν οι φοιτητές,
• τις επαφές και τις συναντήσεις που επιδιώκουμε με αρμόδιους φορείς,
• πιθανές κοινές δράσεις με την Κυπριακή Πρεσβεία

❗️Η συνάντηση πραγματοποιήθηκε σε ιδιαίτερα θετικό κλίμα, με κοινή πρόθεση τη συνέχιση της επικοινωνίας και της συνεργασίας προς όφελος της κυπριακής φοιτητικής κοινότητας.

📌 Ως Φ.Ο.Κ.Β. συνεχίζουμε δυναμικά τη δράση και τη διεκδίκηση για τους Κύπριους φοιτητές της Βουλγαρίας, παραμένοντας προσηλωμένοι στην εκπροσώπηση και στήριξή

Our Embassy participated at the new initiative by "Art4Diplomacy" on the occasion of Europe Day!
The exhibition OUR HOME EUROPE at the National Library "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" portrayed the history and culture of Europe.
We participated with two beautiful historical places from Cyprus:
1. Walking with the Gods: Discovering the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates in Limassol
2. Pafos Castle: Standing grandly at the west end of the town’s harbour
A traveling exhibition with these panels will ensue; at various Bulgarian institutions and universities.
We thank the Υφυπουργείο Τουρισμού - Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus for the support and art curator Ms. Petya Ilieva, PhD in Arts and Cultural Diplomacy for the whole initiative.

On the occasion of Europe Day and the arrival of the ‘Giro d’Italia’ in Bulgaria, the Municipality of Sofia organised a public debate regarding "Europe on Two Wheels: How We Make the City Better to Live In".
Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides participated in the debate; since Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026.
He referred to the Urban Agenda for the EU and the European sustainable mobility policies promoted by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026.
He emphasized that, through the right infrastructure and more bicycle routes in the European cities, the goal is to improve the everyday lives of citizens — with cleaner air, safer roads, healthier lifestyles, and more people-friendly public spaces.
He stressed that, sometimes, “the road to a better city begins on two wheels”.
The Ambassadors of Finland and the Netherlands emphasized on best practices utilised in their countries.
Also, the deputy Mayor of Sofia referred to ongoing projects in the city that will connect parks with main avenues; making bicycle routes safer and more accessible to bicycle riders.
We thank the Столична община, the Ambasciata d'Italia a Sofia / Посолство на Италия в София and the Европейската комисия в България / European Commission in Bulgaria for organizing such a great event.
May 9 was a day for bicycles in beautiful Sofia!