The public service radio stations of Bulgaria and of Romania are deepening their cooperation. Their directors Răzvan Ioan Dincă and Milen Mitev are to sign an agreement, in Sofia, on the free exchange of current information and radio programmes for the space of two years. The document regulates cooperation in producing joint radio programmes aimed at promoting a better mutual understanding among listeners in the two countries.

Radio listeners on either side of the Danube will also gain access to archive recordings connected with the history and the culture of the other country or with bilateral relations. The agreement also envisions opportunities for the exchange of professionals.

Agreement on upgrading bilateral relations was reached in March, during the visit by the Bulgarian National Radio’s Director General to Bucharest.

Radio Romania and the Bulgarian National Radio have been partners for many years on a bilateral level, but also as part of a number of international organizations, such as the European Broadcasting Union.

Interestingly, Radio Romania International had broadcasts in the Bulgarian language in the periods 1946-49 and1995-2004. The Bulgarian National Radio, on the other hand, extended its foreign language services, adding a website in the Romanian language in 2022, making it so much easier for the events and developments in the public and political life of Bulgaria, its culture and history to reach the Romanian-speaking users.

• Radio Bulgaria now “speaks” Romanian

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova