Vatican Snubs Bulgarian Diplomatic Nomination

Diplomacy | May 4, 2012, Friday // 13:29|  views

Kiril Marichkov Jr. is the son of a popular Bulgarian rock musician and the grand-son of a former Ambassador to The Vatican. Photo by 24 Chassa

The Vatican have refused to give accreditation to Kiril Marichkov Jr., who was nominated to become Bulgaria's ambassador there.

Marichkov is the son of popular Bulgarian rock musician Kiril Marichkov and the grand-son of Kiril Marichkov, who was Ambassador to The Vatican between 1993 and 1997.

Both The Vatican and the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry are yet to issue official statements, according to the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, however, Foreign Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, admitted before "24 Chassa" (24 Hours) daily that there is a problem with the country's diplomatic appointment.

The Vatican has controversial information about Marichkov's Master's Degree and professional licenses, unnamed sources from the Foreign Ministry are quoted saying.

The Bulgarian diplomatic hopeful is a lawyer who lives in Italy and has been rejected seven times by the local bar association. The Vatican have been unpleasantly surprised by his lack of work experience.

BG voice, cited by "Trud" (Labor) daily, reports that precisely the fact that Marichkov resides in Italy has become the formal grounds for the refusal since ambassadors to The Vatican must live permanently in the countries that are sending them as diplomatic representatives.

Meanwhile, sources cited by the Bulgarian National Television, BNT, have informed that the refusal stems from Marichkov's novel "The Fugitive's Road," which includes gay scenes. The book, published in Bulgaria seven years ago, tells the story of a Bulgarian male immigrant to Italy who is forced to commit robberies and work as prostitute in order to survive.

"24 Hours" explains that if accreditation is not received in 3 months, the respective country must make a new nomination. It is a common practice for countries to send as diplomats to The Vatican people who enjoy large public respect, usually university lecturers, scientists, and people working in the culture sector.

Experts have commented that the "Marichkov" case would not have a lasting negative effect on the Bulgarian-Vatican relations, but still would be an embarrassment for Bulgaria.

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Tags: Kiril Marichkov, ambassador, the Vatican, Foreign Ministry, Nikolay Mladenov

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