VZCZCXRO8072
RR RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSF #0234 1391453
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 191453Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6004
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000234 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EUR/CE FOR TOM YEAGER 
WHA/CCA FOR GABRIALA ZAMBRANO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2029 
TAGS: ERTD ETTC PREL CU BU
SUBJECT: CUBAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 00805 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor James Bigus for reasons 1.4 (b) and 
(d). 
 
¶1.  (C) The Government of Bulgaria (GOB) maintains friendly, 
yet minimal relations with Cuba.  Political contact and 
economic ties are minimal.  The GOB has made no recent 
statements on democracy or human rights issues in Cuba, and 
can generally be expected to follow the European Union 
position on these issues.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  (C) Post's response to reftel questions are as follows: 
 
- Democracy and Human Rights 
 
The GOB has not directly addressed human rights issues in 
Cuba.  The GOB primarily addresses human rights issues within 
a multilateral context and following the position of the 
European Union. 
 
- Public Statements 
 
The GOB has not made statements or resolutions specifically 
regarding human rights in Cuba.  Although in September 2008, 
the Bulgarian Parliament endorsed the Prague Declaration, 
'European Conscience and Communism,' critical of Communist 
regimes. 
 
- Diplomatic Visits With Cuba 
 
In May 2009, the GOB hosted the 9th session of the 
Bulgarian-Cuban Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, and 
Research and Development in Sofia, Bulgaria.  The GOB was 
represented by Deputy Minister for Economy and Energy Yavor 
Kuiumdjiev.  The Cuban delegation was lead by Deputy Minister 
of Foreign Investment and Economic Partnership Ricardo 
Gerraro Blanco.  The meeting focused on developing bilateral 
trade ties and discussions focused on trade, information 
technology, and agricultural production. 
 
- Business and Investments 
 
Economic ties between Bulgaria and Cuba are minimal. 
Estimates for 2008 show Bulgaria had a trade surplus with 
Cuba of around USD 7 million.  Bulgarian imports from Cuba 
shrunk significantly in recent years, totaling approximately 
USD 3 million in 2007 and 2008, from USD 11 million in 2006. 
Reed sugar (90%) was the primary import, followed by tobacco 
products and alcohol.  Bulgarian exports to Cuba have almost 
doubled since 2006, reaching almost USD 10 million in 2008. 
Exports were made up of electrical transformers, 
insecticides, liquid pumps, and auto parts. 
 
- Bilateral Trade Agreements or Other Cooperative Agreements 
 
The governments of Bulgaria and Cuba have the following 
bilateral agreements: 
 
Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation, signed November 
1998 
Agreement on the Protection and Mutual Promotion of 
Investments, signed December 1998 
Agreement on Cooperation Between the Two Chambers of 
Commerce, signed February 1998 
Agreement on Veterinary Issues, signed August 2000 
Agreement in the Area of Quarantine and Plant Protection, 
signed August 2000 
Agreement on cooperation in Agricultural and Rural 
Development, signed 2000 
Agreement on Maritime Trade, signed 2006 
Joint Program in Education, Science and Culture in 2003-2006, 
signed June 2006 
Agreement on the Cooperation in Postal Services, in process 
Six Protocols resulting from the work of the Joint Committee 
on Economic, Trade, and Research and Development 
 
- Exchange Programs 
 
There appears to be very few, if any, official exchange 
programs between Bulgaria and Cuba. 
 
McEldowney