Earlier this week Russian media reported about a forthcoming visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Bulgaria. Shortly, the report was confirmed by Sofia. Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin explained that Lavrov was expected in Sofia in early July to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Russia.The news was somewhat surprising. A month ago the visit of Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin to Sofia was canceled because his name is on the EU list of Russian officials banned from entering the community and whose bank accounts have been frozen. The State Duma voiced its surprise over Bulgaria’s stand and conduct towards Russian officials and asked the Russian Foreign Ministry to respond accordingly. Russian media commented that it was likely form Russia-Bulgaria relations to worsen. Apparently this is not precisely the case given that Lavrov is going to visit Sofia. With a view to the extremely tight schedule of the Russian foreign minister it is as apparent that marking the diplomatic relations anniversary could only serve as an official pretext of the visit. In the recent years bilateral relations have seen the generation of some serious problems that cannot be avoided during future talks. What has happened with the project for a new N-plant at Belene with the use of Russian technology? Following the decision of the previous government to suspend the project Bulgaria has faced an arbitrary lawsuit with astronomical indemnity claims. What will happen to the South Stream project? Bulgaria has come under strong pressure from the European Commission to halt the project based on discrepancies with European law. For the time being, Sofia has argued it sees no discrepancies but in the meantime, PM Plamen Oresharski has repeatedly stated that EC recommendations will be taken into account. The visit of Sergei Lavrov stands no chances of resolving these problems but will most probably outline certain options for their settlement, because relations between the two countries have reached a phase that looks rather unusual for their traditionally good spirit.

English Daniela Konstantinova