Relationship dossier
Bulgaria
Syria
Relationship assessment
Relations were strained by Bulgaria’s alignment with EU measures and reciprocal diplomatic expulsions in 2012.
Bulgaria toward Syria
-35Bulgaria aligned with European Union measures against the Syrian government during the Syrian conflict and expelled Syria’s ambassador in 2012.
Syria toward Bulgaria
-35In 2012, Syria declared Bulgarian diplomats persona non grata in response to diplomatic expulsions by Bulgaria and other countries.
Overall relationship
-35The relationship was marked by conflict-related diplomatic confrontation, including Bulgaria’s alignment with EU measures against the Syrian government and reciprocal expulsions of diplomats in 2012. The extent of other bilateral cooperation and later diplomatic engagement is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations became sharply strained during the Syrian conflict. Bulgaria aligned with European Union measures against the Syrian government and expelled Syria’s ambassador in 2012. Syria responded by declaring Bulgarian diplomats persona non grata. These actions indicate substantial diplomatic confrontation, while the scope of other direct bilateral engagement is unclear.
Areas of tension
- Bulgaria’s alignment with EU measures against the Syrian government during the Syrian conflict.
- Reciprocal diplomatic expulsions in 2012.
Key developments
Bulgaria expelled Syria’s ambassador amid international diplomatic action following the Houla massacre.
Syria declared Bulgarian diplomats persona non grata in a reciprocal move.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of direct Bulgarian-Syrian cooperation outside the diplomatic dispute is unclear.
- The extent and timing of any subsequent restoration of diplomatic engagement are uncertain.