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Bulgaria–Canada relations refer to Interstate relations between Bulgaria and Canada.
Contents
Overview
Canada’s Ambassador in Bucharest is accredited to Bulgaria, while an Honorary Consulate in Sofia assists Canadian interests in Bulgaria. Bulgaria has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Toronto. Bulgarian-born Canadian businessman, construction magnate and philanthropist Ignat Kaneff is the Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Canada.
Canada and Bulgaria enjoy very good bilateral relations, highlighted by shared membership in multilateral organizations including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), la Francophonie, and as NATO allies. There is increasing trade and investment, effective military and security cooperation, and growing academic and cultural relations between the two countries. Both countries are full members of NATO.
Canada’s Honorary Consul in Sofia plays an active role in fostering political, commercial and cultural relations between Canada and Bulgaria. His office offers consular support to Canadian citizens as well as Trade Commissioner Services and support in Bulgaria.
More than 30,000 Canadians of Bulgarian origin live in Canada and have made unique and valuable contributions to Canada. Approximately 1,000 Canadians live permanently in Bulgaria and up to 15,000 Canadians visited Bulgaria in 2011.
Trade relations
Bulgaria is one of Canada’s largest merchandise trade partners in South East Europe with bilateral trade reaching $369.3 million in 2012. Canadian companies are important to Bulgaria’s mining industry and are showing interest in the oil and gas sector in both onshore and offshore exploration. Business opportunities for Canadian companies exist in Bulgaria in telecommunications, airport services, electrical generation and agriculture.