Britain’s ambassador-designate to Bulgaria outlines priorities in video greeting
British ambassador-designate in Sofia, Emma Hopkins, outlined her priorities in office in a video posted by the UK embassy in Sofia on its Facebook page and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office YouTube channel.
Hopkins underlined the close relationship between the two countries, including their membership in the EU and Nato, and said that she will “support Bulgaria’s efforts to reform the judicial system and tackle organised crime and corruption”.
“I know the importance of the principle that no-one is above the law. A reformed justice system will also help the business environment; Bulgaria has a lot to offer to foreign investors,” she said.
“I will work, to increase the trade between the two countries and, of course, we will continue to support the many British nationals who come on holiday to Bulgaria or live here,” she said.
Hopkins opened her video with a short overview of her career, including her work on preventing sexual violence in conflict-affected countries overseas, for which she was awarded an OBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
On a personal note, she said that she was learning Bulgarian – Hopkins recorded her greeting entirely in Bulgarian – and said that her family were “excited about getting to know the people, culture and traditions of Bulgaria”.
Watch the full video below.
