The Embassy of Bulgaria in Berlin

Amb. Grigor Kalinov Porozhanov

Ambassador Grigor Kalinov Porozhanov, born April 29, 1976, has been the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Federal Republic of Germany since September 27, 2023.

Ambassador Porozhanov's educational background is as impressive as his career in diplomacy. After completing his studies at the German Language High School in Bourgas, Bulgaria, he graduated from the Law Faculty of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. His academic achievements provided a solid foundation for subsequent roles in the Bulgarian government and abroad.

Before his appointment, Ambassador Porozhanov held several critical positions within the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From July 2022 to July 2023, he directed the UN and Global Affairs Directorate, focusing on Bulgaria's engagement with international organizations and global issues. Between 2021 and 2022, he served as the Ambassador at Large on Counter-Terrorism, highlighting his security and diplomatic strategy expertise.

His tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People's Republic of China from 2016 to 2021 underscores his significant experience fostering bilateral relations and understanding between Bulgaria and one of the world's major powers. Before this, he was the Director of the Foreign Economic Relations Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2016, and earlier, he led the Science Directorate at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science from 2012 to 2013.

From 2006 to 2011, Ambassador Porozhanov was the Head of the Economic and Trade Section at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Athens, Greece, where he contributed to strengthening economic ties and cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece.

Fluent in English, Greek, German, Russian, and Turkish, Ambassador Porozhanov's language skills enhance his ability to communicate and negotiate across cultures. His interests include being a skipper and a scuba diver, activities that demonstrate his adventurous spirit and love for the sea.

Ambassador Porozhanov's career is characterized by a commitment to public service, a deep understanding of international relations, and a dedication to promoting Bulgaria's interests on the global stage.

Married, father of two daughters.

The historical relationship between these two countries mostly centers around their military history together. In World War I, the Kingdom of Bulgaria fought alongside the German Empire, as a member of the Central Powers. In 1915, there was a Bulgaria-Germany treaty that both countries signed. Then in 1941, Bulgaria signed the Tripartite Pact, becoming an ally to the Axis Powers and the Nazi Party. During the Cold War, both Republics were members of the Warsaw Pact alliance, until the Reunification of Germany, in 1990.

Nowadays, in addition to Bulgaria's Embassy in Berlin, Bulgaria has 6 other representations in Germany. These representations include consulates in Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Koblenz, Magdeburg, Munich, and Stuttgart. The Bulgarian embassy is one of 835 foreign representations in Germany, and one of 167 foreign representations in Berlin.

The Bulgarian government views Germany as its key strategic partner in the EU. The aim of the Bulgarian government is to continue the implementation measures connected with the country's EU accession.