Bulgaria

Political relations

France has traditionally enjoyed a positive reputation in Bulgaria. Bilateral relations, which drifted during the Communist era, took off again from January 1989, symbolized by President Mitterrand’s state visit and the breakfast that he had with several dissident intellectuals (including future President Jelev), an event which remains present in Bulgaria’s collective memory. Bilateral political dialogue grew deeper at the beginning of the 2000s with France’s support for Sofia’s double candidacy for the European Union and NATO, culminating in July 2008 with the signing of a strategic partnership agreement. The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2022 brought deeper relations.

Economic relations

Due to the COVID-19 crisis and economic situation, trade between our two countries has fallen by 9.6% since 2019 to €1.9 billion. France is Bulgaria’s eighth-largest trading partner, although much of our trade is carried out within companies.

In 2021, France was only Bulgaria’s eleventh-largest supplier, with a 2.9% market share. French exports, totalling €830.7 million, are made up primarily of transport equipment, chemicals, industrial machinery, food products and pharmaceuticals (including antibiotics). However, France remains Bulgaria’s sixth-largest customer, with imports of around €1 billion. France’s leading import from Bulgaria remains “textiles, clothes, leather and shoes”. The French market is a major outlet for Bulgarian exporters, especially for agricultural products (herbs and ducks and geese).

France’s economic presence includes some 150 companies, employing almost 10,000 people locally. France is the 13th-largest investor in Bulgaria. French foreign direct investment is gradually repositioning itself to focus on key sectors.
Bulgaria’s recovery and resilience plan is of interest to our companies, particularly in the energy, environment and sustainable agriculture fields.

More information: https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/BG/les-relations-bilaterales-france-bulgarie