Bulgaria Bestows Top Medal on Outgoing US Ambassador Warlick

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev (left) with US Ambassador James Warlick. File photo by BGNES

US Ambassador in Sofia James Warlick, whose term is set to expire on September 15, 2012, has been awarded Bulgaria's highest state order "Stara Planina", 1st degree.

"I award Mr. James Warlick, Ambassador of the USA to the Republic of Bulgaria, with a Stara Planina order, 1st degree, for his extremely great contributions to the strengthening and development of the Bulgarian-US relations, and on the occasion of his departure from Bulgaria," states an ordinance of Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev made public Tuesday.

Plevneliev's ordinance for Warlick's medal is dated August 28, 2012, and has been sealed with Bulgaria's state seal.

In addition to President Plevneliev's signature, the ordinance bears the signatures of Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov and Justice Minister Diana Kovacheva.