site.btaBulgarian Foreign Ministry Urges Diplomats to Stay Neutral in Domestic Politics

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement emphasizing the importance of diplomatic neutrality and professional sensitivity in relation to the country’s internal political processes. The statement comes after public attention was drawn, in the Ministry's words, to the German Ambassador’s attendance at a Sofia protest against corruption and use of the judicial system as a bludgeon against the opposition.

"The Ministry places high value on the active and constructive dialogue with the diplomatic corps accredited in the country," the statement reads, highlighting the importance of mutual respect and a cooperative spirit with foreign missions.

The Ministry stressed that "respect for the principles of impartiality toward domestic political developments" is essential for maintaining mutual trust and a respectful tone between institutions.

It goes on to call on diplomatic missions and their leaders to "avoid situations where their actions might be interpreted or used for domestic political purposes." It warned that any form of direct or indirect involvement in national political matters risks placing diplomats in a position incompatible with the core principles of their mandate.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to open and constructive engagement with all diplomatic partners, expressing confidence that good diplomatic practices will continue to guide Bulgaria’s relationships with foreign missions. 

Representatives of diplomatic missions in Bulgaria, including those from France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, were seen in the courtroom as a Sofia court considered an application for the release of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev from pre-trial remand. The Mayor was arrested in early July following a corruption tipoff from a failed public procurement tenderer and was put under indefinite remand along with three co-defendants.