Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Bulgaria

20/07/2026

08/07/2026

The Cyprus Presidency set five overarching priorities from the outset.

From defence and security to competitiveness, enlargement, citizens’ rights and the EU’s long-term budget, we worked tirelessly to deliver tangible, concrete results on all of them.

We delivered for the European project, and for European citizens.

For “An Autonomous Union. Open to the World.” 🇨🇾🇪🇺

🔗 See our results 👉 link.berry.social/CY2026EU-resul…



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Η Κυπριακή Προεδρία έθεσε από την αρχή πέντε βασικές προτεραιότητες.

Από την άμυνα και την ασφάλεια μέχρι την ανταγωνιστικότητα, τη διεύρυνση, τα δικαιώματα των πολιτών και τον μακροπρόθεσμο προϋπολογισμό της ΕΕ, εργαστήκαμε ακούραστα για να πετύχουμε απτά και ουσιαστικά αποτελέσματα σε όλους τους τομείς.

Φέραμε αποτελέσματα για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και για τους Ευρωπαίους πολίτες.

Για μια Αυτόνομη Ένωση. Ανοικτή στον Κόσμο. 🇨🇾🇪🇺

🔗 Δείτε τα αποτελέσματα εδώ 👉 https://bit.ly/4p2vcP8

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Kıbrıs Dönem Başkanlığı, en başından itibaren beş temel öncelik belirledi.

Savunma ve güvenlikten rekabetçiliğe, genişlemeden vatandaş haklarına ve AB’nin uzun vadeli bütçesine kadar tüm alanlarda somut, ölçülebilir ve gerçek sonuçlar elde etmek için aralıksız çalıştık.

Avrupa projesi ve Avrupa vatandaşları için sonuç ürettik.

“Özerk Bir Birlik. Dünyaya Açık.” 🇨🇾🇪🇺

🔗 Sonuçlarımıza göz atın 👉 link.berry.social/CY2026EU-resul…

07/07/2026

We are delighted to share Maestro Francis Nectarios Guy's recent interview with Bulgarian National Television (BNT News), recorded on the occasion of the symbolic passing of the baton ceremony marking the transition of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Cyprus to Ireland, jointly organised by the Embassies of Cyprus and Ireland in Bulgaria.

In the interview, Francis speaks about the close and longstanding relations between Cyprus and Bulgaria, the power of cultural diplomacy, and Cyprus' rich history and cultural heritage.
Having studied in Bulgaria and being fluent in Bulgarian, he offers a truly personal perspective on the deep ties that connect our two countries.

For many years, Francis Guy has been a passionate ambassador of Cypriot culture, promoting music, dialogue and friendship between Cyprus and Bulgaria through his artistic work.

We warmly thank Francis for his dedication, his inspiring contribution to strengthening the cultural bonds between our two countries, and for representing Cyprus with such passion and excellence.

Special thanks to leading journalist Mr. Nikolay Krastev for the promotion of the event and the interview.

България и Кипър могат да бъдат силни носители на балканската културна идентичност в Европейския съюз, подчертава кипърският диригент Франсис-Нектариу...

06/07/2026

The Cypriot soprano Makariou Chryso and the Irish Patrick Rafter - Violinist delivered a truly outstanding performance in Varna!

At the ceremony marking the symbolic handover of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Cyprus to Ireland, held in the beautiful city of Varna on the Black Sea coast, the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Christo Pavlov brought to life a magnificent programme of Cypriot, Greek and Irish melodies as part of the Varna International Music Festival.

Receiving the symbolic baton, Ireland's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Catherine Bannon, outlined the priorities of the Irish Presidency while warmly acknowledging the achievements of the Cypriot Presidency.

Our sincere thanks to the distinguished musician and Artistic Director of the Varna International Music Festival, Mario Hossen, for this wonderful initiative, which beautifully showcased the power of music to unite cultures and celebrate European friendship and cooperation.

30/06/2026

Yesterday we had the traditional “Passing of the Baton” ceremony here in Sofia, from the Cyprus to the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

An amazing event celebrating Cypriot and Irish cultures!

We thank the Cypriot conductor Francis Guy, composer Anastasia Guy, as well as soloists Marios Andreou and Venera Meleki for their beautiful performance “Cycle: Kinyras, Kyprida and the Nereids”.

During the performance, lithographs by Cypriot painter Andreas Charalambides were projected!

Special thanks to the Embassy of Ireland Sofia for its excellent cooperation in co-organizing this event, as well as to the Irish music band “Jiggy” for their amazing performance.

Our Embassy would like to express its gratitude to Foreign Minister Dr. Velislava Petrova-Chamova, to Mayor of Sofia Mr. Vasil Terziev, to former Prime Minister Mr. Andrey Gyurov, to His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, to the Ambassadors and to all other guests for their attendance.

Also, thanks to Mr. Boris Gurov, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, for addressing the event.

29/06/2026

Συνέντευξη του Πρέσβη Χαράλαμπου Καυκαρίδη στο Euronews Bulgaria το Σάββατο 27 Ιουνίου.
Με την έγκριτη δημοσιογράφο Simona Nikolova συζήτησαν για την εξαιρετικά επιτυχημένη Κυπριακή Προεδρία του Συμβουλίου της ΕΕ.
Για τις διμερείς σχέσεις Κύπρου - Βουλγαρίας, αλλά και για το στρατηγικό ρόλο της Κύπρου στην περιοχή.
Ειδική ανάλυση έγινε και για την κύρια προτεραιότητα της Κυπριακής Προεδρίας/Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 για μια στρατηγικά αυτόνομη Ευρώπη όπου, χωρίς τυμπανοκρουσίες και με συγκεκριμένες πολιτικές, η Κύπρος κατάφερε να επιφέρει απτά αποτελέσματα.

В края на кипърското европредседателство разговаряме с посланика на Кипър в България Негово Превъзходителство Хараламбос Кафкаридис.

19/06/2026

Our Embassy inaugurated today at the Летище София / Sofia Airport “Vasil Levksi” the exhibition “CYPRUS SPEAKS: Wisdom and Emotion”, which presents Cypriot proverbs to thousands of travellers passing through the main departures hall of Sofia’s main airport!
This exhibition, curated by Anna Kancheva and Kancheva presents a selection of proverbs from the monumental work “Proverbs of the Cypriot People” by the folklorist Pavlos Xioutas, a researcher who devoted his work to the systematic recording and preservation of this valuable treasure of Cyprus’s oral tradition.
The Cypriot proverbs were translated in Bulgarian and English languages.
Panagiota Papadopoulou, Παναγιώτα Π. Παπαδοπούλου librarian at the Elpinikios Library Ελπινίκειος Βιβλιοθήκη in Nicosia who played a pivotal role in the organization of the exhibition, stated that “in every language and in every culture, proverbs constitute a living reflection of human experience and the collective wisdom of people”, adding that “in Cyprus proverbs are an integral part of folk expression and the linguistic heritage of the land”.
Ambassador Haralambos kafkarides and CEO of SOF Connect, Mr. Jesús Caballero Pinto , viewed today the exhibition and congratulated all those who contributed to its fruition.
The exhibition is organised on the occasion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 , with grateful acknowledgments to the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation for granting permission to use material from P. Xioutas’ book "Παροιμίες του Κυπριακού Λαού".
Watercolour illustrations were made by Anna Kancheva
Special thanks to Sofia Airport for hosting the exhibition!

09/06/2026

Η Πρεσβεία μας έθεσε αυτή τη χρονιά υπό την αιγίδα της, στο πλαίσιο της Κυπριακής Προεδρίας του Συμβουλίου της ΕΕ Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, το Femi Film Festival.

Ένα διεθνές κινηματογραφικό φεστιβάλ με την υποστήριξη της Προέδρου της Βουλγαρίας, το οποίο πραγματοποιείται στη Σόφια και έχει καθιερωθεί ως μια σημαντική πλατφόρμα προώθησης της σύγχρονης κινηματογραφικής δημιουργίας και του κοινωνικού διαλόγου.

Το φεστιβάλ δίνει ιδιαίτερη έμφαση σε ζητήματα ισότητας των φύλων, ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων και συμπερίληψης.
Τα δικαιώματα των γυναικών, καθώς και η προώθηση γυναικών παραγωγών και σκηνοθετών, αποτελεί βασικό στόχο του φεστιβάλ.

Στην κριτική επιτροπή του φεστιβάλ συμμετέχουν και οι Κύπριοι καταξιωμένοι σκηνοθέτες Kyriacos Tofarides και Κόριννα Αβρααμίδου.

Φέτος είμαστε πολύ χαρούμενοι γιατί στο φεστιβάλ τιμήθηκαν δύο Κύπριες αθλήτριες που αποτελούν παράδειγμα δημιουργίας και αγώνα για τη ζωή.

Η Konstantina Nikolaou παρευρέθηκε στις βραβεύσεις του φεστιβάλ, παραλαμβάνοντας με ιδιαίτερη συγκίνηση το βραβείο της. Διεθνής αθλήτρια σκοποβολής και αγωνίστρια της ζωής.
Το πρόγραμμα 24 Ώρες του τηλεοπτικού σταθμού Άλφα παρουσίασε την όλη ζωή και δράση της, και το πως κατάφερε μέσα από δυσκολίες της ζωής να μεγαλουργήσει.

Ο Πρέσβης Χαράλαμπος Καυκαρίδης παρέλαβε το βραβείο εκ μέρους της Ειρηνής Παντελή Irene Pan η οποία είναι καθηγήτρια Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού και προπονήτρια σκοποβολής.
Από το 2011 αφιερώνει σημαντικό μέρος της επαγγελματικής της δράσης στην εκπαίδευση και υποστήριξη ατόμων με αναπηρία, ενώ προηγουμένως εργάστηκε με αθλητές της κοινότητας των κωφών, συμμετέχοντας στους Deaflympics.

Οι δύο βραβευθείσες Κύπριες αποτελούν παράδειγμα αγώνα για τη ζωή, συμπερίληψης και αγάπης. Η Πρεσβεία μας τις ευχαριστεί για τη συμμετοχή τους στο φεστιβάλ και τους εύχεται ό,τι καλύτερο στην μετέπειτα πορεία τους!

Θερμές ευχαριστίες στις Efemia Fard και Jenifer Phard για τη διοργάνωση του φεστιβάλ, καθώς και στο ХАЙЛАЙФ για την φωτογραφική και κινηματογραφική κάλυψη.

Τέλος, θερμές ευχαριστίες στην Φοιτητική Οργάνωση Κυπρίων Βουλγαρίας για την προώθηση της Κύπρου μας με ενημερωτικό υλικό στον εξωτερικό χώρο του φεστιβάλ.

08/06/2026

Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides met with the Junior EU Ambassadors of Gorna Oryahovitsa Secondary School/СУ "Вичо Грънчаров".

The meeting was held within the context of the literary event “Point of Departure and Return: Cyprus In and Beyond the Sea” at the Regional Library of Veliko Tarnovo; under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026.

Participants were truly impressed by the students thoughtful questions, curiosity and commitment to European values.

The thorough discussion with the students on EU affairs, diplomatic life, culture, and the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU reaffirmed the importance of investing in the next generation of Europeans.

We also thank the students for the beautiful handmade gift — a wonderful symbol of friendship and European unity.

Special thanks to the school's teachers Ms. Yoanna Rumpo and Ms. Plamena Krasteva for organising the whole event.

04/06/2026

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 is in full swing here in Bulgaria!
Our Embassy, as well as the German Embassy/Deutsche Botschaft Sofia, were supporters of the prestigious Burgas Connectivity Forum organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Bulgarien.
Founded in 2023, the Burgas Connectivity Forum quickly established itself as a high-level international platform that brings together representatives from politics, diplomacy, business, academia, and civil society.
The Forum was organized in partnership with the Municipality of Burgas and the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce/Германо-Българска индустриално-търговска камара (AHK Bulgarien), with the assistance of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy.
Our Embassy’s participation was within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union; bearing in mind that the Forum fosters dialogue and strategic cooperation in Southeast Europe, as well as energy cooperation in the region.

Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides was one of the main speakers at the event stressing the following on energy connectivity:

• The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 views connectivity as a key pillar of Europe’s strategic autonomy, helping diversify energy sources, routes and partnerships.
• The Eastern Mediterranean can contribute significantly to European energy security through natural gas, LNG infrastructure and major interconnection projects such as the Great Sea Interconnector.
• Regional initiatives like the Vertical Gas Corridor demonstrate how Southeast Europe is building a more integrated, diversified and resilient energy architecture.
• Connectivity is more than infrastructure—it is also diplomacy, cooperation and the creation of shared interests that strengthen stability across the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Black Sea region.

We would like to thank Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes and Zlatozara Stoilova, as well as Prof. Markos Troulis.