On February 9, at the National Assembly a documentary exhibition was organised with a presentation of jubilee calendars dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia, Austro-Hungary, France, Germany, Great Britain, Serbia, Romania, Turkey, Italy and Belgium. The ambassadors of the countries with which Bulgaria celebrates 125 years of diplomatic relations this year, ambassadors of other countries, directors of cultural institutes, diplomats, MPs and politicians honoured the event.

The event was organised by the General Department of Archives at the Council of Ministers and Bulgarian Diplomatic Review magazine.

The Chairman of the National Assembly Prof. Ognyan Gerdjikov inaugurated the exhibition. He addressed the ambassadors and the guests with a welcoming speech:

It is an honour to welcome you at today’s celebration in the Bulgarian Parliament.

I am especially pleased to inaugurate in your presence the documentary photo-exhibition, dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our country and Autro-Hungary, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Romania, Russia, Serbia and France.

This year the Republic of Bulgaria chairs the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This happens 125 years after the establishment of the Third Bulgarian State. That is why for us 2004 symbolises the historic link between the European past and future of Bulgaria.

The first significant step of every newly liberated state is its international recognition by the other states and the establishment of diplomatic relations. This is why the anniversary we are celebrating is of major historic importance.

In April 1879, the Turnovo Constitution of the Principality of Bulgaria was adopted. On May 25, 1879, the Office of General Affairs and Diplomatic Relations of the Interim Russian Government in Bulgaria was renamed Foreign Affairs Department. This is the prototype of the present Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

First among the consuls of the Great Powers who got an audience with the Bulgarian Prince Alexander Battenberg was the Russian diplomatic agent and consul general Alexander Davidov. He presented his letters of credence in the palace on July 7, 1879. On the following day, July 8, their letters of credence handed the Austro-Hungarian Consul Rudolf Graf Khevenhuller-Metsch and the French diplomat Schefer. The same day the German representative von Tilau appeared in the prince’s palace. On July 23, the British diplomat Palgrave did the same, followed by the Italian representative Domenico Brunenghi. The Belgian representative Camille Janssen handed his credentials on December 11, 1879.

According to a report of July 18, 1879, of the minister of foreign affairs M. Balabanov, on July 28, 1879, a decree would be published for the setting up of “an agency of the Principality in Istanbul with the Ottoman government, another one in Bucharest with the Romanian government, and a third one in Belgrade with the Serbian government”. This decree started a procedure for the opening of the first Bulgarian diplomatic representations in the neighbouring Balkan countries of Turkey, Serbia and Romania. These are the facts that mark the international participation in the establishment of the modern Bulgarian state.

We are all grateful not only to those 10 countries that were first to legitimate in a diplomatic way our young state 125 years ago. We receive with gratitude and pride the attitude of ever more countries to Bulgaria as to a full member of the European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

I sincerely congratulate the organisers of today’s event from the General Department of Archives and Bulgarian Diplomatic Review magazine.

With this exhibition and with the specially published calendars they significantly contribute to the proper celebration of the remarkable jubilee.