Bulgaria and Slovakia have scope for new business and tourism partnerships

Economic cooperation, tourism and cultural exchange offer Bulgaria and Slovakia considerable opportunities to strengthen their relations.

The Bulgarian embassy in Bratislava is working to develop these ties, focusing on promoting Bulgaria as an attractive tourist destination and encouraging new business partnerships between the two countries.

Speaking to Radio Bulgaria, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic, Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, identifies several promising areas for cooperation – from tourism and the automotive industry to green energy, logistics and new technologies.

The interview was recorded during celebrations marking 100 years of Bulgarian studies at Comenius University in Bratislava. The programme included an academic conference on Bulgarian-Slovak intercultural dialogue (15–16 October 2026), a concert by the Svetoglas Quartet in the university’s Moyzes Hall (15 October 2026), and two photographic exhibitions in the university atrium showcasing Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage, ancient treasures and UNESCO-listed monuments (September–October 2026).

“Over the past few months, we have carried out several projects in this area, together with the Bulgarian Cultural Institute. For example, Bratislava International Airport hosted a photography exhibition promoting Burgas as an attractive seaside destination for culture and relaxation. As you know, there is also a direct air service between Bratislava and Burgas, and the exhibition was certainly very well received. All summer, we have also been promoting Pomorie as a resort through banners on our embassy’s fence, at the initiative of Pomorie Municipality. Its representatives will visit Bratislava in February 2027 to present the many different forms of tourism it offers.”

Tourism is not the only area with potential. The ambassador also sees promising opportunities for business cooperation in green energy, logistics, the automotive industry and new technologies. The embassy hopes to establish a Bulgarian-Slovak Chamber of Commerce to help businesses in the two countries make contact and launch joint initiatives.

The embassy also works closely with the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Bratislava, which celebrates its 55th anniversary this November. Well established in the Slovak capital’s cultural life, the institute organises a varied programme of events and works with a range of partners.

“The Bulgarian Cultural Institute has an important role and place in Bratislava’s cultural life,” Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova tells Radio Bulgaria. “Its new director, Denitsa Sekulichka, has done impressive work through her initiatives and involvement in large-scale projects. The institute took part in the programme of the European Capital of Culture, Trenčín, with the Bulgarian music group Ethérea. Partnerships are also being established through the European network of national cultural institutes (EUNIC), and through participation in the European Cyril and Methodius Cultural Route, which this year, with our support, admitted two Bulgarian cities as full members – Plovdiv and Burgas. Just a few months later, an international conference was also held in Plovdiv, with our participation, on the role of cultural routes in local development and local economies.”