Tag: Bulgaria

19th June 2015 Sofia, Bulgaria

Emma Hopkins, British Ambassador to Bulgaria

by Emma Hopkins

Former UK Ambassador to Bulgaria

No One Is Above the Law

UK embassies around the world along with my Foreign Minister this week commemorate the 800 year anniversary since the sealing of Magna Carta in a tented encampment on the banks of the River Thames in 1215. Magna Carta has become a strong British brand – over the centuries it has come to stand for much […]

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11th December 2014

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by Jonathan Allen

Former Ambassador to Bulgaria

What Advice Do Investors Get on Bulgaria?

As British Ambassador I am asked almost as often by Bulgarians what I say about their country to investors, as I am asked by investors what I think about Bulgaria. I answer the same to both: a wonderful country, with real potential and excellent people, but some big problems, particularly in the rule of law […]

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16th October 2014

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by Jonathan Allen

Former Ambassador to Bulgaria

To Defeat Intolerance and Inequality We Must Have Open Minds and Open Hearts

Every year since 2007 on Blog Action Day, thousands of bloggers come together to talk about one important issue, like poverty, climate change and human rights amongst others. This year the event is held on 16 October and the theme is inequality. HMA Jonathan Allen joins the initiative and blogs why to defeat intolerance and inequality, we must have […]

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10th July 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria

Our House on 69 Oborishte Street

by Jane Burner Jane Burner lived in Bulgaria between 1970-1972 and 1984-1987 when her husband Alan Burner was 3rd Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission respectively at the British Embassy in Sofia. Many foreign diplomats and their families lived in the house on 69 Oborishte Street. During our second posting in Bulgaria, we lived in a house not […]

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4th July 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria

Our Bulgarian Life

by Mel Barber Mel Barber fell in love with Bulgaria, the Bulgarian people and the Bulgarian way of life almost straight after coming to the country. After spending only a month in their recently-bought holiday house in Bulgaria, Mel and her boyfriend decided to move to the country permanently. Today, five years later, they enjoy life in the […]

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10th June 2014

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by Jonathan Allen

Former Ambassador to Bulgaria

We Should Be Proud of Our History, Not Prisoners of It

Today, I am travelling to Obstina Thompson in Svoge Municipality, in the beautiful Iskar Gorge. I am taking part in a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the death of Major Frank Thompson, executed by the forces of the wartime, pro-Nazi government. Thompson was a member of the British Communist Party. The partisans are of […]

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16th May 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria

Strange Old World

by Lynn Bailie Lynn Bailie originates from Sunderland in the North East of England. She lives with her husband and son in a village near Burgas. Five years after buying a house in Bulgaria they moved to Bulgaria permanently.   “That’s the way people do things here. Everyone who gave up their time to help were […]

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13th May 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria

Living in the Boyana Compound in the Early 90’s

by David Stokes David Stokes was Director of British Council Bulgaria from 1991 to 1997. He was the first British diplomat to stay in a Bulgarian family whilst learning the language. David was also asked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “run the British Council as if it was in Western Europe’”. David and his wife Pepy […]

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