Address by H. E. Mrs. Marieta García Jordán, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Bulgaria,

on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Bulgaria. October 14, 2025 

Today, we celebrate 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations at the embassy level between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Cuba.

These relations were marked by an intense exchange of high-level visits, as the historic visits to Bulgaria by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro in 1972 and 1976.

Today, we celebrate the smiles that light up faces when Cuba is mentioned in Bulgaria and Bulgaria in Cuba.

We are pleased to celebrate alongside people from various generations united by a common feeling: friendship.

This friendship is based in historical similarities, in the affinities of our characters, in the course of two peoples that have fought for centuries for independence, two peoples that feel honor and respect for the heroes.

We are united by the parallels in the lives of the national heroes of Cuba, José Martí, and Bulgaria, Hristo Botev.

Cuba and Bulgaria have developed close historical ties in all areas of economic and social life.

Two countries that complement each other based on mutual affection, love for our traditions, and the authenticity of our culture and idiosyncrasy, despite the geographical distance.

Two Countries: tobacco and roses; son and joró; rum and rakia; congrí and banitsa.

There have been extensive exchanges of professionals, technicians, and students. Tens of thousands of Bulgarians contributed to the development of important economic sectors in Cuba, such as mining and geology, agriculture, hydraulic resources, and food industry, with a notable contribution to computer science.

Trade exchanges brought us closer to getting to know each other and enjoying the traditions of each country. Bulgaria was known in the Cuban market for its food products, fertilizers and chemical substances, electronic equipment, and cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. From Cuba, Bulgaria received sugar, molasses, citrus fruits, nickel, rums, and tobacco.

The bilateral relationship has been enriched through intellectual, teaching, and academic exchanges among publishers, television networks, universities, writers' unions, news agencies, printing industries, book distributors, and direct collaboration between cultural institutions such as the José Martí National Library in Havana and the Cyril and Methodius National Library in Sofia. Important literary works and publications from Cuba have been translated into Bulgarian.

Cuban professors and philology experts also participated in this story and left their mark, as they introduced the study of the Spanish language in the University of Sofia.

In Cuba, we met our friend Yordanka Hristova, our master of ceremonies today, President of the Foundation "José Martí". Many girls in Cuba have been named "Yordanka". It is a privilege to share her love for Cuba. We also welcomed the singer Biser Kirov, who popularized a symbolic song "A Machete and a Rose." The poet Vanya Petkova dedicated a large part of her life and literary work to Cuba.

In Bulgaria, Cuba left its mark with the verses of the National Poet Nicolás Guillén; with the singer Omara Portuondo and other outstanding artists, who have also been our ambassadors.

The people-to-people exchange, among students, workers, and cooperators, made us friends and family. Many Bulgarian workers brought their young children to Cuba, and they grew up in a society that welcomed them as its own. Many of these children, now professional adults, are among us, continue to love Cuba, and have contributed to the realization of this event through their roles as entrepreneurs, artists, and diplomats. 

In Cuba, some institutions proudly have Bulgarian names: Vasil Levski, Jorge Dimitrov, Alexandar Stamboliyski, Hristo Botev, Cuban-Bulgarian Friendship.

The Bulgaria-Cuba Friendship Association has been part of our family, accompanying us for more than 50 years. We thank them for their ongoing support in defending Cuba and their contribution to keeping knowledge of Cuba alive among younger generations of Bulgarians, through the Cuba Near and Far Contest, which each year motivates thousands of children and young people to learn about Cuba through history and painting. Its Honorary President, Stanka Shopova, its Board, regional branches, and members have played a decisive role in making this celebration possible 

We have felt the permanent support and accompaniment of organizations of Bulgarian society such as: The Union of Bulgarian Writers; the Union of Bulgarian Journalists; The Association of Spanish-Speaking Journalists; the Union of Bulgarian Educators; the Women's Union; the Anti-Fascist Union of Bulgaria.

We also have the Association of Cubans Living in Bulgaria "We Are Cuba," loyal compatriots who do not forget their roots, defend our culture and traditions, and have earned recognition within Bulgarian society. Some of them are here.

But the friendship between Cuba and Bulgaria is not just a historical heritage; it is present and continues to strengthen.

There are collaboration agreements between our Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education, Culture, Sports, Health, between the Universities of Havana and Sofia; in the fields of Computer Science; between the drug regulatory agencies, the sports federations; between the Municipalities of Izgrev-Sofia and Old Havana; between the Union of Bulgarian Workers' Cooperatives and the Office of the Historian of Havana.

Exchanges between our National Libraries and Diplomatic Institutes, Academies of Sciences, Ministries of Education, Chambers of Commerce, Sports Universities, health sectors; among parliamentary friendship groups and others, will soon be reactivated.

In prominent place are our relationships in the sports sector. Our Greco-Roman wrestling champions, especially the five-time Olympic and world champion Mijaín López, declare to the world that they used to train in Teteven. Thank you very much to the friends have supported to our team here. Cuba also currently contributes to the Bulgarian Boxing team, through the main coach and athletes.

A leading Bulgarian company, Kaliman Caribe, successfully distributes our very well-known Cuban tobaccos. Its president, Todor Dotchev, unfortunately recently passed away. Our tribute to his work and friendship dedicated to Cuba.

For many years in Cuba we have been receiving chemicals and fertilizers products from Agria for the development of agriculture and food production. Our recognition and gratitude to those who make it possible.

There is great potential to continue expanding these exchanges based on friendship and the opportunities for trade and investment offered by the updating process of Cuba's economic and social model.

Relations between Cuba and Bulgaria also develop within regional and multilateral frameworks. Cuba appreciates a lot the Bulgaria's constructive positions within the framework of Cuba-European Union relations. The successful implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Cuba, signed on December 12, 2016, confirms to us that, on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutual respect, it is possible to build spaces for mutual benefit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We face great challenges. Cuba has been cruelly affected by more than six decades of economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States, intensified in recent years in an unprecedented economic war aimed at depriving Cubans of the means of livelihood and sustainability, and affecting the existence as a supportive, cultured, and joyful people.

Additionally, Cuba faces the impact of being included by United State in a selective and manipulated list of countries supposedly sponsoring terrorism, which is an obstacle for our financial relations with the world. The clear and absolute truth is that Cuba does not sponsor terrorism, but has been a victim of it, including state terrorism.

Annexationist aspirations lead media campaigns to tarnish Cuba's morale and justify wars of aggression. Cuba condemns terrorism and mercenarism in all its forms and manifestations. Cuba is not part of any armed conflict. The truth prevails.

Cuba is a country of peace, dignity, and principles, a promoter of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity. It is the country that, for nearly 65 years, has sent more than 600,000 health professionals to 165 countries; earning international recognition for its efficiency in combating Ebola, Covid-19, Cholera, and Hemorrhagic Dengue, among other diseases. A country that, as result of the biotechnology industry, developed and produced five vaccines against Covid-19. A country that educated thousands and thousands of poor people in Latin America with our own teachers and methods. A country characterized by sharing what we have Cuba will move forward and overcome its difficulties with intelligence and dedication as well as with joint work with nations, companies, institutions, and friends who are willing to work together and continue developing our social project, for mutual benefit, like those we have found here in Bulgaria.

On behalf of the Cuban people we appreciate the multiple expressions of support, solidarity, and rejection of the blockade received from friends in Bulgaria; and also the Bulgarian support to the resolution against the blockade in NN.UU.

This 65th anniversary should be a new starting point to continue our historic and positive relationship, to update it and enrich it under the current conditions of our countries and internationally.

We would like to thank you the support in organizing this celebration to the Bulgaria-Cuba Friendship Association; to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authorities of the Bulgarian Parliament and government; to Kaliman Caribe, Balkans Pernod Ricard, Agria, Vania Cenkova and Hotel Vega, Cultural Club Gotze Delchev, BNK Wines Company, Aqua Dream and others friends. 

To the Bulgarian and Cuban artists who will delight us with their performance.

To the National Palace of Culture (NDK) for welcoming us and providing us with all the facilities.

To all friends, not just for this evening, but for their work over 65 years.

Thanks to everyone who, with their enthusiasm, dedication, and love, has made this celebration possible.

We invite you to enjoy an evening of friendship, culture, and traditions, also in tribute to Cuban Culture Day on October 20.

Thank you very much!

The material is provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in the Republic of Bulgaria. In the photo: H. E. Mrs. Marieta García Jordán, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Bulgaria