Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : A. Davydenko
First Deputy Editor-in-Chief of International Affairs
ON JULY 7-8, the conference "Bulgaria-Russia. 135 years
of Diplomatic Relations: Past, Present and Future" was
held at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia.
The conference was sponsored by Bulgaria's nongovern-
mental organizations: the Slavyane Foundation, the Bul-
garia-Russia Foundation, the Bulgaria-Russia Forum, and
the Federation of Friendship with Peoples of Russia and
the CIS. Assistance in organizing the conference was pro-
vided by the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bul-
garia, the National Association of International Relations, the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society,
and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
In the participants' view, the conference was a significant event for academics in both coun-
tries. The broad format of this authoritative gathering of experts provided diplomats and
politicians with many valuable ideas and an opportunity to discuss further development of
the bilateral and European agendas.
During the plenary sessions and panel discussions, their participants exchanged views on a
broad range of questions pertaining to expanding diplomatic relations and the political dia-
logue between Bulgaria and Russia and prospects of economic and cultural cooperation.
Book publishing is also a growing area of cooperation. Last year, the M.I. Rudomino All-
Russia State Library for Foreign Literature and Bulgaria's Ministry of Culture launched a joint
project named "New Bulgarian Novel." This is the first time, after a 30-year hiatus, that Russ-
ian readers could read books by modern Bulgarian authors in the Russian language. For their
part, most major book stores in Bulgaria continue to sell fiction and academic literature in
Russian.
A separate panel of the conference was devoted to various aspects of bilateral economic re-
lations including cooperation in energy, new opportunities for expanding commercial and
economic contacts in industry, agriculture, travel, and construction. It also discussed cooper-
ation in the Black Sea region.
The delegates noted that despite some decline in trade the two countries have serious pre-
requisites for expanding trade in the future. Investment projects are getting ahead.
One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of Russia's top diplomat's book
entitled "Between the Past and Present: Russian Diplomacy in a Changing World" in the Bul-
garian language.
http://interaffairs.ru
Bulgaria-Russia: Past, Present and Future