It Is Natural to Be Partners in Spheres Where We Have Something to Give to Each Other

Mr. Mikhail Torshin, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Ruse

The new Consul General of the Russian Federation in Ruse, Mikhail Petrovich Torshin was born in 1944 in Voronezh district. Graduated in History from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, in Journalism from the M. Lomonosov Moscow State University, and in International Relations from MSIIR. Doctor of History. Two diplomatic mandates in Cuba; 2001–05 Consul General of the Russian Federation in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
On November 20, 2007 he officially assumed the post of Consul General of the Russian Federation in Ruse consular district, which comprises 8 Bulgarian regions: of Ruse, Razgrad, Silistra, Targovishte, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo and Lovech.

Mr. Torshin, how do you feel in Ruse?
I am in Bulgaria for the first time. Several times in my life I intended to come to your country, but something always happened. I must admit that the very proposal to be appointed Consul General in Ruse evoked satisfaction in my heart, the feelings dominant in me now are calm and warmth and willingness to work. A period of very intense and diverse activity is awaiting our two countries, on the basis of fruitful and equal partnership. This is especially clear now, after the official visit of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Sofia, during which eight important intergovernmental agreements were signed, opening up a broad field for activity. This visit marks a new stage in the development of the pragmatic cooperation and the multifaceted relations between our fraternal Slav nations.

How will the signing of these intergovernmental documents reflect on the work in Ruse consular district, and what is forthcoming for the Russian Consulate General in Ruse?
In the first place, very serious work in connection with the construction of Belene NPP. Soon we will know when the construction works are going to start. During the construction of the nuclear power plant 8 thousand jobs will be created. About 2500 of them will be taken by Russian specialists. When the plant is commissioned, some 1000 engineers and technicians will stay back and work at Belene NPP. This is indeed a big power project.

But it means the work of the Consulate General will grow…
Doubtlessly. Therefore I have suggested to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to open a consular office in Belene or to expand the staff of the Consulate General in Ruse. Belene is at a distance of about 200 km from Sofia and 130 km from Ruse. And the Russian citizens who will be working and living there will need contact with the diplomatic representation.

What will be the accents in the Consulate’s activity in 2008, which is a Year of Russia in Bulgaria?
My first meetings in Ruse and in the other 7 regions of the consular district are very promising. These warm and cordial meetings make me think that fruitful work is awaiting me, among well-meaning people. I am glad at the interest in Russia and the desire to expand the contacts between the regions.

What would you place in the centre of your priorities as Consul General of the Russian Federation in Ruse?
I would like us to renew the relations between the regions in the consular district and Russian regions which they used to have cooperation with. I also wish new beneficial contacts would be developed, above all in the sphere of economic and cultural exchange. Both countries need this – it is so natural to be pragmatic partners in spheres, where we have something to give to each other. By mid-March I expect the schedule of cultural events during the Year of Russia in Bulgaria to be clear. Within a month in Ruse we will be holding a business forum with the participation of representatives of the business circles in Russian regions, and I hope new useful contacts will ensue. In May we plan a concert entitled Slav Arc Over the Waves of the Danube, with the participation of Russian and Bulgarian artists. And, of course, an important aspect of the activity of the Consulate General is the rendering of assistance to our compatriots who live in the territory of the consular district.

You have degrees in history, journalism and international relations. But your career is devoted to diplomacy. Don’t you sometimes regret that you neglected the first two specialties?
History and journalism very often help me in my work as diplomat. By the way, I would like to note that namely as a historian I appreciate very highly the first present I received in Ruse – an amazing album that my colleagues from the Consulate General gave me for my birthday shortly after my arrival. It is the wonderful publication of Bulgarian Bestseller Monuments of Gratitude for the Liberation of Bulgaria. I must admit I read it all through the night. A superb edition, very good photos, and most importantly – in Bulgarian and in Russian. As Consul General in Ruse, this luxury album is of great help to me purely practically – it introduces me to the history of the region, where I work, related to the Russian-Bulgarian relations. I find extensive information and real pleasure in leafing through this fundamental book again and again. I wish to express my admirations and best wishes to the publishers!