Warlick Vows to Remain Culture Ambassador of Bulgaria

Diplomacy | September 14, 2012, Friday // 10:00|  views

The outgoing US Ambassador in Sofia, James Warlick (r) and Culture Minister, Vezhdi Rashidov (l), during their farewell meeting. Photo by Culture Ministry

The outgoing US Ambassador in Sofia, James Warlick, vowed to be the cultural envoy of Bulgaria during his farewell meeting with Culture Minister, Vezhdi Rashidov.

The two voiced mutual satisfaction of the partnership during Warlick's term.

The Minister thanked the diplomat for the partnership in the fight for copyrights and against internet piracy, for his huge interest in Bulgaria's culture and in particular for the assistance in the restoration of the historical Boboshevo Saint Todor church.

The church was restored with the financial help of the US Department of State.

"I know we owe a lot to your personal commitment to Bulgarian culture. We worked together in a marvelous way and turned formal relations into friendship," said Rashidov.

The Ambassador shared he regretted that he could not bring some projects to an end, but voiced hope they would be finished anyway.

"Bulgaria is lucky to have a Culture Minister like you. You can consider me the ambassador of Bulgarian culture in Washington. I leave Bulgaria, but I am taking part of its culture with me," Warlick stated.

Rashidov expressed condolences for the US diplomats, who were killed in Libya on September 11.

The Ambassador is leaving Bulgaria Friday.

On May 25th US President Barack Obama officially announced that he has nominated Marcie Ries for Ambassador to Bulgaria, where she will replace James Warlick. The announcement was published on the site of the White House.

Warlick became Ambassador in Sofia in January 2010. Rumors about his recall have been circulating in Bulgaria since the beginning of April 2012, and he has strongly denied them all.

US Ambassadors have a term of 3 years, which can be extended by another 6 months. The White House statement does not list any grounds for the reshuffle.

Ries' arrival date remains unknown.

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Tags: outgoing, US, ambassador, James Warlick, culture, minister, Vezhdi Rashidov

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