News - The Republic of Iraq, Baghdad, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

From 1 to 7 February 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Iraq took part in the 49th Baghdad International Fair, within which a Bulgarian National Pavilion was organized.

On 15–16 December 2025, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Baghdad, Mr. Valentin Nikolov, paid a working visit to Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During the visit, he held introductory meetings with representatives of the regional authorities and major political actors. Mr. Nikolov met with Mr. Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as with Mr. Hoshyar Siwaili, Head of the Foreign Relations Office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The discussions focused on the prospects for further developing political dialogue and practical cooperation, as well as on current regional developments. The meetings were held in a spirit of openness and mutual respect, reaffirming the shared interest in maintaining the traditionally good relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Bulgarian Folklore Ensemble “Balkan”, part of the “Balkan” Association – Madrid, Spain, took part in the 8th edition of the International Festival of Folklore and Heritage “We Sing for Iraq”, held in Baghdad from 18 to 20 November 2025.

As part of his introductory meetings, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Baghdad, Mr. Valentin Nikolov, held separate meetings with Brigadier General Ralf Schröder (Germany), Head of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM Iraq), and Major General Christophe Hintzy (France), Commander of the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI).

On 11 October 2025, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Baghdad, Mr. Valentin Nikolov, took part in the official celebrations marking the annual Jama Feast of the Yazidi community, held at the sacred Lalish Temple under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. The event brought together representatives of the Iraqi authorities, spiritual leaders, and diplomats from over 20 foreign embassies accredited in Baghdad. During the visit, Mr. Nikolov met with the hereditary Prince of the Yazidis and members of the Spiritual Council. The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual respect and openness, emphasizing the importance of the Yazidi community for Iraq’s cultural and spiritual diversity and its efforts to preserve its rich heritage and identity.

On 8 October 2025, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Baghdad, Mr. Valentin Nikolov, held an introductory meeting with Mr. Baker Hussen, Director of the Europe department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq. The meeting took place in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and Iraq and reaffirmed their readiness to further develop and enhance bilateral cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of implementing a large-scale project, coordinated in advance with all responsible institutions in Bulgaria and the EU, including the implementation and launch of a new version of the National Visa Information System (NVIS).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria through the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq announces a procedure for the acceptance and selection of proposals for projects to be implemented with a grant through the Official Development Assistance of the Republic of Bulgaria, with an initial implementation period in 2022.

Guide to the Media accredited to cover the visit of Pope Francis to Bulgaria