In 2019, Bulgaria receives Pope Francis; Boyko Borissov visits the White House; the country strives to find its balance in the international scene; proceeds to collaborations and expands its energy corridors, stepping up efforts to boost its economy and the quality of life for its citizens.
January 1: Plovdiv becomes European Capital of Culture alongside the Italian city of Matera.
Bulgaria assumes the chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization. The Presidency’s motto is “Sea of Opportunities”.
January 23: The Commission officially asks from Cyprus, Malta and Bulgaria to pay “more attention” regarding the program granting a “golden visa” or a “golden passport” to investors.
January 30: North Macedonia’s NATO accession protocol is signed by the Council of Ministers.
March 28: Daniela Daritkova becomes the new leader of the ruling GERB parliamentary group.
Tensions arise between Bulgaria and Turkey over the Law on Religions.
March 29: The 7th Quadripartite Summit between Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia takes place in Bucharest.
April 13: Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania issue a joint bid for UEFA Euro 2028 and FIFA World Cup 2030 .
May 5: Pope Francis pays Apostolic visit to Bulgaria.
May 22: Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras launch the IGB construction.
May 26: GERB wins the European elections with 31.07% by electing 6 MEPs; the Socialist Party comes second with 24.26% and 5 MEPs; minority Movement for Rights and Freedoms follows with 16.55% and three seats, whereas VMRO and the Democratic Party of Bulgaria receive one seat each.
July 19: Bulgarian Parliament approves the purchase of 8 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets.
September 11: Prosecutor General bans Russian citizens from entering Bulgaria as they are accused of espionage.
September 18: Bulgaria kicks off the construction of the Balkan Stream gas pipeline with the participation of Russia in the project, as Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced.
October 10: An intergovernmental Agreement on the Greek-Bulgarian Interconnection Pipeline (IGB) is signed in Sofia
September 25: Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva takes over as IMF Director.
October 27: The first round of municipal elections in Bulgaria takes place.
November 3: In the second round of municipal elections, GERB dominates the territory, while also electing the Mayor in the capital of Sofia.
November 9: Bulgarian Prime Minister and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic inaugurate Corridor 10 highway which is part of the E-80 European Route, connecting central and northern Europe with Turkey.
November 25: Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov visits the US and meets with US President Donald Trump.
December 12: Boyko Borissov proposes NATO Secretary General to set up a Coordination Center for Naval Forces in Varna. /ibna