News - Belgium, Brussels, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

During a formal ceremony held on 30 October 2026 in Zeebrugge, Belgium officially handed over the minesweeper ‘BNS Bellis’ to the Bulgarian Navy. The ceremony was attended by the commanders of the Bulgarian and Belgian navies, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov and Rear Admiral Tangi Botman, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgium, Natalia Uzunova, and Bulgaria’s Permanent Representative to NATO, Nikolay Milkov.

A series of cultural events dedicated to Bulgarian cinema, music, photography and visual arts took place in Luxembourg in October 2026, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

As part of a series of formal meetings aimed at establishing working relationships with the authorities in Belgium’s regions and provinces, on 21 October 2026 the Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgium, Natalia Uzunova, held a meeting in Namur with the Governor of the Province of Namur, Denis Mathen. Later on the same day, in Eupen she met with the Minister-President of the German-speaking Community in Belgium, Oliver Paasch. The Honorary Consul of Bulgaria for Wallonia, Luc Sougné, also took part in both meetings.

On 14 October, the 19th edition of the CinEast Film Festival, dedicated to contemporary cinema from Central and Eastern Europe, was officially opened in Luxembourg. Bulgaria is at the centre of this year’s program as the country of focus, while the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Brussels is a partner of the festival and co-organiser of several related events.

On September 19, the Bulgarian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Ms. Natalia Uzunova, took part in the 103rd edition of celebrations of the Days of Wallonia (Les Fêtes de Wallonie), traditionally held in its capital—the city of Namur.

The Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Natalia Uzunova took part in two consecutive meetings of the Heads of Mission of the EU Member States, organized by the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. On September 15, 2026, in Brussels, the European ambassadors held a working lunch with Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Belgium. On September 16, 2026, in Luxembourg, they held a working lunch with Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

As part of a series of formal meetings aimed at establishing working relationships with the authorities in Belgium’s regions and provinces, on June 19, 2026, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgium, Natalia Uzunova, held a working meeting with the Governor of the Province of Walloon Brabant, Gilles Mahieu. On July 1, 2026 she met with the Governor of the Province of Hainaut, Tommy Leclercq.

The eighth edition of the Festival of Bulgarian Books in Brussels took place on 13 and 14 June 2026 at the GC De Markten Cultural Centre, in the heart of the Belgian capital. Established as one of the most significant cultural events for the Bulgarian community abroad, the festival once again brought together literature enthusiasts from Belgium and neighbouring countries, offering an opportunity to meet contemporary Bulgarian authors, discover new books, and take part in inspiring literary discussions.

On 29 May 2026, Natalia Uzunova, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Belgium, together with the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria for Flanders, Ms Ellen Jonckheere, met with the Mayor of Ghent, Mr Mathias De Clercq, at Ghent City Hall.

On May 26, 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Brussels hosted a reception to celebrate May 24—the Day of the Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education, and culture, and Slavic literature.