Bulgaria–Uzbekistan relations
Encyclopedia
Bulgaria-Uzbekistan relations are foreign relations
between Bulgaria
and Uzbekistan
. Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 12, 1992. Bulgaria has an embassy in Tashkent
. Uzbekistan is represented in Bulgaria through a non resident ambassador based in Tashkent
(in the Foreign Ministry.) Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
.
Bulgaria provides a link in the trade corridor between Uzbekistan and the European Union
, with important Black Sea
ports. The two countries are interested in expanding trade by this route. However, despite repeated discussions on the subject, Uzbekistan has so far declined to supply natural gas
to the Nabucco pipeline
, which, if built, would feed gas to Europe via Bulgaria.
membership, while Bulgaria is particularly interested in energy security.
There have been continued senior-level contacts between the two countries. In May 1998 the Uzbek foreign minister visited Sofia and met the Bulgarian president. During his visit, the Bulgarian and Uzbek foreign ministers discussed economic and transport links. In June 1998 the Uzbek president visited Bulgaria. In May 1999 the Bulgarian president visited Uzbekistan. In November 2003 the Uzbek president met with the Bulgarian prime minister. In May 2004 the Bulgarian and Uzbek foreign ministers discussed diplomatic and economic ties. In January 2005, Uzbekistan and Bulgaria set up consular offices. In March 2006, the Bulgarian envoy in Uzbekistan stated that he was happy with cooperation between the two countries. In April 2007, a Bulgarian minister visited Uzbekistan for cooperation talks.
In November 2008 Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov
made an official visit to Uzbekistan where he met with Uzbek leader Islam Karimov. The two men discussed all aspects of the bilateral relationship. They agreed to make efforts to increase and diversify trade, making better use of untapped potential. There was considerable controversy when the Bulgarian president hunted for protected animals in Uzbekistan. In February 2009, Bulgaria expressed confidence that the relationship would continue to develop, including a significant expansion of ties relating to tourism as well as further developments concerning trade and cultural exchange
In June 1998 Bulgaria and Uzbekistan signed seven treaty and cooperation accords. In May 1999 they signed transport and crime agreements. In July 1999, Uzbek Prime Minister Erkin Khalilov said that the Bulgarian Black Sea ports of Varna
and Burgas
may become Uzbekistan's doors to Europe. Talking to the Burgas mayor in November 2003, Uzbek president Islam Karimov suggested that a formal customs agreement should be implemented to facilitate transport of Uzbek goods through Bulgaria.
In October 2004, the two countries finalized three legal accords. In April 2007, Bulgaria and Uzbekistan signed an economic cooperation agreement. By 2005, trade between the two countries was expected to reach US$50 million.
However, in November 2008 Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov stated that his country was not interested in becoming a supplier of the EU-sponsored gas transit Nabucco Pipeline
, but would continue to export via Russia.
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
between Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
. Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 12, 1992. Bulgaria has an embassy in Tashkent
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and of the Tashkent Province. The officially registered population of the city in 2008 was about 2.2 million. Unofficial sources estimate the actual population may be as much as 4.45 million.-Early Islamic History:...
. Uzbekistan is represented in Bulgaria through a non resident ambassador based in Tashkent
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and of the Tashkent Province. The officially registered population of the city in 2008 was about 2.2 million. Unofficial sources estimate the actual population may be as much as 4.45 million.-Early Islamic History:...
(in the Foreign Ministry.) Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections...
.
Bulgaria provides a link in the trade corridor between Uzbekistan and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, with important Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
ports. The two countries are interested in expanding trade by this route. However, despite repeated discussions on the subject, Uzbekistan has so far declined to supply natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
to the Nabucco pipeline
Nabucco Pipeline
The Nabucco pipeline is a proposed natural gas pipeline from Erzurum in Turkey to Baumgarten an der March in Austria diversifying natural gas suppliers and delivery routes for Europe. The pipeline attempts to lessen European dependence on Russian energy...
, which, if built, would feed gas to Europe via Bulgaria.
Official Exchanges
In November 1997, the Bulgarian foreign minister discussed economic cooperation with Uzbekistan. Visiting Bulgaria in June 1998, the Uzbek president Islam Karimov said that he saw Bulgaria as a key trade partner, saying that Bulgarian and Uzbek goods can make use of the Silk Road in both directions. Following the establishment of the Bulgarian embassy in April 1999, the next ten years saw 21 intergovernmental and 9 interdepartmental agreements signed during the period ending April 2009. Uzbekistan hopes to make use of their increasingly close ties with Bulgaria to take advantage of opportunities available due to Bulgaria's full European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
membership, while Bulgaria is particularly interested in energy security.
There have been continued senior-level contacts between the two countries. In May 1998 the Uzbek foreign minister visited Sofia and met the Bulgarian president. During his visit, the Bulgarian and Uzbek foreign ministers discussed economic and transport links. In June 1998 the Uzbek president visited Bulgaria. In May 1999 the Bulgarian president visited Uzbekistan. In November 2003 the Uzbek president met with the Bulgarian prime minister. In May 2004 the Bulgarian and Uzbek foreign ministers discussed diplomatic and economic ties. In January 2005, Uzbekistan and Bulgaria set up consular offices. In March 2006, the Bulgarian envoy in Uzbekistan stated that he was happy with cooperation between the two countries. In April 2007, a Bulgarian minister visited Uzbekistan for cooperation talks.
In November 2008 Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov
Georgi Parvanov
Georgi Sedefchov Parvanov is a President of Bulgaria, whose second and last mandate expires on January 22, 2012; he was elected after defeating his predecessor Petar Stoyanov in the second round of the presidential elections in November 2001 and he came into office on January 22, 2002...
made an official visit to Uzbekistan where he met with Uzbek leader Islam Karimov. The two men discussed all aspects of the bilateral relationship. They agreed to make efforts to increase and diversify trade, making better use of untapped potential. There was considerable controversy when the Bulgarian president hunted for protected animals in Uzbekistan. In February 2009, Bulgaria expressed confidence that the relationship would continue to develop, including a significant expansion of ties relating to tourism as well as further developments concerning trade and cultural exchange
Economic relationship and agreements
Varna
Varna is the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and third-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv, with a population of 334,870 inhabitants according to Census 2011...
and Burgas
Burgas
-History:During the rule of the Ancient Romans, near Burgas, Debeltum was established as a military colony for veterans by Vespasian. In the Middle Ages, a small fortress called Pyrgos was erected where Burgas is today and was most probably used as a watchtower...
may become Uzbekistan's doors to Europe. Talking to the Burgas mayor in November 2003, Uzbek president Islam Karimov suggested that a formal customs agreement should be implemented to facilitate transport of Uzbek goods through Bulgaria.
In October 2004, the two countries finalized three legal accords. In April 2007, Bulgaria and Uzbekistan signed an economic cooperation agreement. By 2005, trade between the two countries was expected to reach US$50 million.
However, in November 2008 Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov stated that his country was not interested in becoming a supplier of the EU-sponsored gas transit Nabucco Pipeline
Nabucco Pipeline
The Nabucco pipeline is a proposed natural gas pipeline from Erzurum in Turkey to Baumgarten an der March in Austria diversifying natural gas suppliers and delivery routes for Europe. The pipeline attempts to lessen European dependence on Russian energy...
, but would continue to export via Russia.