Velislava Petrova: We Will Open Up Bulgaria's Diplomatic Service to the Knowledge and Energy of Young People
05 October 2026 News
In the Netherlands, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented an upcoming initiative for student internships at five Bulgarian diplomatic missions
Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova announced in the Netherlands an upcoming initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide opportunities for Bulgarian students studying abroad to undertake internships at Bulgaria's diplomatic missions in The Hague, London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna.
“People are our greatest asset – both at the Ministry and at our diplomatic missions abroad,” Minister Petrova stated.
The interns are expected to have the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the work of Bulgaria's diplomatic service, put their acquired knowledge and skills into practice and contribute to its more effective functioning.
“We want talented young Bulgarians to demonstrate how their knowledge and skills can benefit Bulgaria, regardless of where they are,” Velislava Petrova emphasised.
According to her, the aim is to encourage more young Bulgarians to see the diplomatic service as a place where they can develop professionally and contribute to representing Bulgaria with dignity around the world. Minister Petrova expressed hope that the initiative would motivate some of them to return one day and work alongside the diplomatic service.
The Minister stated that she was encouraged by her meeting with the interns at the Bulgarian Embassy in The Hague, who had responded positively to the idea. She noted that the short internships some of them are currently undertaking do not provide sufficient opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of the various areas of work of the diplomatic service.
The initiative will establish a lasting bridge between academic education and diplomatic practice. Once all the details of its implementation have been finalised, comprehensive information, including the application requirements and procedures, will be published on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.