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Bulgaria–Israel relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bulgaria–Israel relations
Map indicating locations of Bulgaria and Israel

Bulgaria
Israel
Diplomatic mission
Bulgarian embassy, Tel AvivIsraeli embassy, Sofia

Bulgaria–Israel relations are foreign relations between Bulgaria and Israel. Bulgaria recognized Israel on 29 November 1948 and the two countries opened embassies in 1952. Bulgaria, along with the rest of the Soviet bloc, severed diplomatic relations with Israel following the Six-Days War on 10 June 1967. Relations were officially restored at the level of embassies on 3 May 1990.[1]

Bulgaria and Israel maintain a strong friendly relationship.The Bulgarian-Israeli relationship covers many aspects of tourism, military, trade, culture, economics, education, and more.[2]

History

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Before 1948

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See also: History of the Jews in Bulgaria, The Holocaust in Bulgaria, and The Holocaust in Bulgarian-occupied Greece

The presence of Jews in Bulgaria goes back almost 2,000 years. The Jews in Bulgaria received equal rights as part of the creation of the modern state of Bulgaria under the terms of the Treaty of Berlin.

During the Second World War and the Holocaust, Bulgaria saved about 48,000 Bulgarian Jews while deporting to concentration camps about 11,000 Jews of the occupied territories.[3]

1948–1990

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Bulgaria has recognized Israel on 29 November 1948 and opened an embassy in 1952.

On 27 July 1955, the Bulgarian Air Force accidentally shot down El Al Flight 402 from London to Tel Aviv via Vienna. All 7 crew and 51 passengers on board were killed.[4]

On 10 June 1967 Bulgaria has closed the embassy in Tel Aviv and severed diplomatic relations with Israel due to the Six-Day War. The Austrian embassy in Tel Aviv served as a Protecting power for Bulgarian interests. Bulgaria, as part of the Soviet Bloc, voted against Israel and voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379.

From 1990

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After the collapse of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and the establishment of the Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgaria and Israel restored their relationship at the level of embassies on 3 May 1990.[1] In 1991 was the first state visit of Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir, to Bulgaria, and a year after in 1992, was the first state visit of Bulgarian prime minister, Filip Dimitrov, to Israel.[5]

On 16 December 1996, Bulgaria and Israel signed an Protection on Investment Agreement.[6]

On 18 January 2000, Bulgaria and Israel signed an Avidness of Double Taxation Agreement.[7]

On 15 July 2007, Bulgaria and Israel signed a visa free agreement.[8]

Economic relations and trade

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See also: Free trade agreements of the European Union and Free trade agreements of Israel

Bulgaria and Israel have Free Trade Agreement part of the European Union Association Agreement since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007.

Bulgaria – Israel trade in millions USD-$[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
Israel imports

Bulgaria exports

Bulgaria imports

Israel exports

Total trade value
2023 151.2 78.9 230.1
2022 165.8 64.7 230.5
2021 143.2 51.2 194.4
2020 111.7 47.5 159.2
2019 106.6 39.9 146.5
2018 92 41 133
2017 97.8 51.9 149.7
2016 91 38.7 129.7
2015 82.7 88.8 171.5
2014 62.1 128.7 190.8
2013 62.2 53.8 116
2012 56.9 75.3 132.2
2011 62.1 219.3 281.4
2010 60.6 112.4 173
2009 42 69.8 111.8
2008 52 56.2 108.2
2007 63.8 54.3 118.1
2006 48.1 48 96.1
2005 48.2 42.2 90.4
2004 46 30.3 76.3
2003 35.2 23.7 58.9
2002 32.3 20.8 53.1

Tourism

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Tourism of Bulgarians in Israel and Israelis in Bulgaria[17][18][19][20]
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Tourists from Bulgaria

Arriving to Israel

20.5 9.6 0.7 3.2 19.8 16.4 11.8 8.4 8.7
Tourists from Israel

Arriving to Bulgaria

206.6 174.0 54.3 54.2 246.4 245.6 209.3 183.8 155.3

Resident diplomatic missions

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  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
  • Israel has an embassy in Sofia.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Archived from the original on 2 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Old Allies, Close Friends: The Strategic Importance of Bulgaria for Israel". 21 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Why Bulgarian Jews skipped an official ceremony marking their rescue from the Nazis". The Times of Israel.
  4. ^ "Unlawful Interference Lockheed L-149 Constellation 4X-AKC, Wednesday 27 July 1955".
  5. ^ "Bilateral relations - Relations between Israel and Bulgaria since 1948". new.embassies.gov.il.
  6. ^ "International Agreements - Bulgaria" (PDF). www.gov.il.
  7. ^ "Convention Between the Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income" (PDF). www.gov.il.
  8. ^ "Bulgaria Visa Free Agreement". www.gov.il.
  9. ^ "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2023". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  10. ^ "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2020". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  11. ^ "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2017". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  12. ^ "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2014". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  13. ^ "סחר החוץ של ישראל לפי ארצות בשנת 2011". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  14. ^ "סחר החוץ של ישראל לפי ארצות בשנת 2011". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  15. ^ "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2008". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  16. ^ "סחר החוץ לפי ארצות בשנת 2005". www.cbs.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  17. ^ "Tourist Arrivals and Day Visits, by Country of Citizenship and Mode of Travel (absolute numbers) 2023" (PDF). www.cbs.gov.il.
  18. ^ "Tourist Arrivals, by Country of Citizenship 2022" (PDF). www.cbs.gov.il.
  19. ^ "Tourist Arrivals, by Country of Citizenship 2015" (PDF). www.cbs.gov.il.
  20. ^ "Arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria by purpose of visit and by country of origin | National statistical institute".
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