Bulgarian Foreign Ministry to Shed Jobs in 2010, Embassies in 2011

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry will most likely be closing down embassies in 2011. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry will pull out from abroad some 250 diplomats and civil servants in order to cut its expenses.

Some of the diplomats will be sacked altogether, while others will be re-appointed in Bulgaria, according to a report of Mediapool.

Some of those to lose their jobs are not employees of the Foreign Ministry are stationed abroad as part of their work for other Bulgarian institutions.

Most of those to be given the ax are not diplomats but hold technical positions within the diplomatic corps – including drivers and secretaries. Estimates shows that the foreign appointments of a person of this rank cost about BGN 80 000 to the state budget.

In addition to these cuts, the Foreign Ministry will reduce its administrative staff in Sofia. All changes will be made in accordance with a new structural statute of the ministry.

By the end of 2010, Bulgaria will not be shutting any embassies or consulates abroad but this measure will most likely be considered in 2011, says the report.

The various options for re-organizing the Bulgarian missions abroad include shifting responsibilities to other EU member states and to honorary consuls; concentrating Bulgarian diplomats in several regional embassies, not unlike the UK; or taking after Sweden's example of having a special ambassador to each country who only travels to the respective nation on ad hoc basis.

By the end of the year, the Foreign Ministry will send new Ambassadors to Austria, Switzerland, and Argentina since the terms of the current Bulgarian envoys there are expiring.

The ministry plans to sell one of its properties in the former West German capital Bonn in order to use the funds to help its troubled budget.

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