CUBAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS

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