Bali is on a mission to build more connections with cities and countries around the world. This week, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, met with the Bulgarian Government to discuss how the two regions can collaborate on building more sustainable tourism and education initiatives.
This week, Bali Governor Wayan Koster received a visit from the Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolay Pavlov. The leaders met to discuss opportunities to create a sister city program that would help forge improved relationships and cultural exchange between Bulgaria and Indonesia.
Deputy Minister Pavlov told Governor Koster, “A delegation of around 25 mayors from various cities in Bulgaria is planning to visit in December to explore opportunities for sister city cooperations between local governments in Bulgaria and Bali.”
Deputy Minister Pavlov shared his enthusiasm for the initiative and potential collaborations. He noted that in 2026, Bulgaria and Indonesia will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic friendship.
Deputy Minister Pavlov noted that his visit was not a formal meeting, but rather a friendly visit and a symbol of respect for Bali’s role in Indonesia’s global public image.
Deputy Minister Pavlov shared, “We want to forge closer ties with Bali in the fields of trade, tourism, education, agriculture, and technology exchange.”
He also shared his gratitude for the Indonesian workforce in Bulgaria, who he deemed to have a strong work ethic and respect for Bulgaria.
The Minister revealed that the Bulgarian Government wants to explore more opportunities to promote its culture and create cultural exchanges.
He revealed that as part of any sister city partnership, Balinese artists would be invited to perform at festivals in Bulgaria and that Bulgarian tour groups would be brought to Bali to explore all the island has to offer.
Governor Koster told Deputy Minister Pavlov, “We are ready to open up communication and collaboration that will bring real benefits to the community, both in the fields of culture, education, and the creative economy.”
Governor Koster also invited Deputy Minister Pavlov, the Bulgarian Government, and cultural artists to attend the Bali Arts Festival, which will be held in June 2026.
He concluded, “Through art we build bridges of hearts and feelings between nations.” Governor Koster concluded the meeting by gifting Deputy Minister Pavlov a traditional Balinese endek cloth.
Bulgaria is not the only European nation seeking to build stronger ties with Indonesia, and specifically Bali Province. Back in September, Governor Koster received an audience with the Georgian Ambassador to Indonesia, Tornike Nozadze.
The Ambassador met with Governor Koster to request the establishment of an honorary consulate in the province.
Governor Koster told Ambassador Nozadze, “Thank you for the visit, Georgian Ambassador. I will try to help and ask someone to find a representative location to support the plan to help establish an honorary consulate in Bali.”
Ambassador Nozadze replied, “We’ve been waiting for this opportunity to meet for a long time. Many Georgians come to Bali, and a number of Georgian companies have established their presence here, both in the construction and restaurant sectors.”
An honorary consul is different from an embassy or consulate in that the service is provided by a single person.
This is an individual permanently residing in the location of the said consulate who is not a career diplomat and, as such, does not receive diplomatic immunity. As a private citizen, an honorary consulate has a vested interest in the country in question and is well-connected in the region.
An honorary consul can provide a range of services for fellow foreign citizens living in or visiting the region. This can include the collection of passports, ID cards, and driving licences that have been issued outside the country. An honorary consul can also act as a witness to the signing of many official documents.
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