The Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations is pleased to announce that, on Thursday, 27 September 2007, in New York, the Hon. T. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, signed a Joint Communiqué establishing formal diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Joint Communiqué, which was also signed on behalf of the Government of The Republic of Bulgaria, by H.E. Mr. Ivailo Kalfin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, states that the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, desirous of strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries; have decided to establish diplomatic relations at the Ambassadorial level, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961, as of the signing of the Joint Communiqué.

The Joint Communiqué emphasizes the basis of the principles and goals as set out in the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, particularly related to the international peace and security, equality among states, national sovereignty, independence, international treaties, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States.

A parliamentary republic, located in South Central Europe, Bulgaria occupies an area of 110,910 sq. km., and has a total population of 7,679,290 million. The capital, Sofia, lies in the western region of the country. Bulgaria boasts a GDP of $31.49 billion and a per capita GDP of $10,700. Its principle natural resources are Bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal and timber. The Government has embarked on a series of economic reforms since 1997 that continues to date. According to the World Bank, in 2006 Bulgaria attracted the highest levels of foreign direct investment, as a share of GDP, among Eastern European counties. The country joined the World Trade Organization in 1996, and in July 1998, became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement ((CEFTA).

With regard to foreign relations, Bulgaria became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on March 29, 2004 and a member of the European Union on January 1 2007. A Member State of the United Nations, Bulgaria served a 2-year term as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council (2002-2003). Bulgaria has also served as Chair-In-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2004.

The establishment of formal relations with the Republic of Bulgaria is in line with the Government of The Bahamas’ long-term foreign policy objective of promoting closer ties with like-minded countries in all regions of the world. The Bahamas looks forward to continued close collaboration with the Republic of Bulgaria, not only on a bilateral level, but also in the United Nations and other multilateral fora.

28^th September 2007, New York