100-year anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Finland and Bulgaria
This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Bulgaria. Bulgaria recognized the independence of Finland 27.2.1918 and diplomatic relations were opened 5.8.1918. The 100th anniversary will be celebrated in the fall, so follow our webpage and Facebook for more information about the upcoming events.
Below are listed some of the key moments in the history of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
1918 Bulgaria recognizes the independence of Finland, being one of the 15 countries, which recognized Finland during the year 1918.
1948 Diplomatic relations between the countries are restored after the war.
1956 Bulgaria opens an Embassy in Helsinki.
1964 Finland opens an Embassy in Sofia. Before that, the relations were maintained first from Belgrade and then from Warsaw.
1967 President of Finland, Urho Kekkonen visits Bulgaria.
1977 100 years since the battle of Gorni Dubnik.
1999 Finland holds the presidency of the EU Council. EU decides to start Bulgaria's membership negotiations.
2006 The decision of Bulgaria joining the EU is made during the second Finnish EU presidency.
2018 Bulgaria is holding the presidency of the EU for the first time. Finland and Bulgaria celebrate their 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
There have been fourteen ambassadors at the Embassy of Finland in Sofia, and two of them have been women. Since 2016 the Ambassador is Päivi Blinnikka. Her thoughts about Bulgaria and the relation between the two countries can be found here in the interview of the Diplomatic Spectrum.