Despite the fact honorary consuls are not part of the administrative diplomatic staff representing the interests of a country on the territory of another, their role in the field of international relations is significant. According to the Diplomatic Service Act, these persons must be citizens of the host country and people with high public or business authority, influential and popular figures in their homeland. A man with solid public and business image selected by the Bulgarian government earlier this month has become the honorary consul of Bulgaria in Germany. His name is Daniel Gahr. Bulgaria became an integral part of his life back in 1992, when in Mainz he met his future wife – Bulgarian Ani Zhivkova. He undertook his first trip to Bulgaria 3 years later, before starting visiting Bulgaria at least once a year. This has allowed him to closely monitor the changes that have taken place over the decades.

"I witnessed how immediately after Bulgaria's accession to the EU, its development continued in various directions, but Bulgarian-German relations retained their particularly important role in economic terms," Daniel Gahr has told Radio Bulgaria. “Germany continues to be the most important trade partner of Bulgaria and it is no coincidence that the number of registered German companies in the country is over 5000. In the sphere of culture, tourism and scientific exchange, close ties have also been established between the two countries. As an honorary consul, I will continue to support development in these areas because there is great potential. Immediately after overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, I will revive and deepen cooperation between Bulgaria and Rheinland-Pfalz in the field of economy and trade.”

The German state of Rheinland-Pfalzis home to many leading industrial companies creating high value-added products in the fields of chemistry, pharmacy and mechanical engineering. As an Honorary Consul, Gahr is committed to facilitating fruitful trade partnerships. Enhancing the exchange of talented artists will also be part of the priorities of Bulgaria’s new Honorary Consul.

More than 22,000 Bulgarians live in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz. Gahr says he would do his best to help anyone who needs him.

He points out support for the preservation of Bulgarian self-consciousness among young people from the Bulgarian community in Germany as an extremely important part of his activity. He will focus his efforts on supporting the activities of Bulgarian Sunday schools and unions, taking care of the preservation of Bulgarian language and traditions. He says that the moment of success would come when Bulgaria received the recognition it deserved in Rheinland-Pfalz. The new Honorary Consul in Mainz will support the activities of the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Frankfurt.

In addition to his diplomatic duties, Daniel Gahr participates in various public activities. He is part of the boards of two foundations related to contemporary art and investments in children's health.

English: Alexander Markov