site.btaNovember 9, 2000: First Official Visit of Swedish King to Bulgaria

On November 9, 2000, Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and his wife Queen Silvia arrived in Sofia on a three-day visit. That was the first official visit of a Swedish king to Bulgaria, following an invitation from Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov.

While in Sofia, Carl XVI Gustaf held a one-on-one meeting with the Bulgarian head of State, who described the high-level visit as an opportunity for Bulgaria to be seen by Swedish politicians, business circles, and the entire Swedish public. Stoyanov expressed the hope that Bulgarian-Swedish relations would enter a new phase, emphasizing three particularly important sectors: environment, modern technologies, and tourism.

Carl XVI Gustaf and Stoyanov also took part in a bilateral business forum. Talking with reporters,  the guest called for active efforts to develop Bulgarian-Swiss business relations. 

The King of Sweden also met with National Assembly Chair Yordan Sokolov. The guest asked about the Bulgarian head of State's powers under the Constitution out of interest how the institutions in the country function.

Also on the programme was a meeting with students of Scandinavian studies at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia.

While in Bulgaria, Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia also visited Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria).