Elena Poptodorova
Encyclopedia
Elena Poptodorova is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria
to the United States
. She took office on August 10, 2010.
. she holds a degree for English and Italian linguistic and literary studies from Sofia University
(1974).
in 1975 and served from 3rd secretary through minister-counselor in the Secretariat, the State Protocol, the Cabinet of the Minister and the UN and Disarmament Directorates through 1990, when she was elected in the national legislature.
From 1987 to 1990 she was minister-counselor at the Bulgarian embassy in Rome and Bulgaria’s Consul General to the Republic of San Marino.
Prior to her appointment in Washington, Ambassador Elena Poptodorova was Director of the Security Policy Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position, which she held for a year since August 1, 2009. In the period 2008 – 2009 she served as Ambassador-at-Large for the Black Sea Region at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Before her first mandate as the Ambassador of Bulgaria to the USA, she served as a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Organizations Directorate.
From 2002 to 2008 she was Bulgaria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, when Bulgaria became member of NATO and the EU.
Ambassador Poptodorova is fluent in English, Italian, French, Russian, and her native Bulgarian.
in the 7th Constituent Assembly from the list of the Bulgarian Socialist Party
in 1990, and was a speaker of the Parliamentary group of BSP. She was re-elected in the 36th, 37th and 38th National Parliaments. She served on the committees on foreign policy, national security, radio and TV, human rights, agriculture. She was the Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian delegation to the International Parliamentary Union, member of the national delegations to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE), and the Joint Parliamentary Committee ‘Bulgaria-EU’. She also served as Deputy Chair of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (IEPFPD)
of Sofia in English and Italian linguistic and literary studies, after which she attended a post-graduate course in international relations at the University of National and World Economy
in Sofia. She specialized at the University of Leeds
, UK and the University of Siena
, Italy.
Since 1995 Elena Poptodorova is Trustee of the Board of Directors of the American University in Bulgaria
.
She is also member of the Washington-based Executive Council on Diplomacy and Women’s Foreign Policy Group.
Ambassador Poptodorova is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Assumption College
, Worcester, USA.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She took office on August 10, 2010.
Early life
Elena Poptodorova is born on August 31, 1951 in SofiaSofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
. she holds a degree for English and Italian linguistic and literary studies from Sofia University
Sofia University
The St. Clement of Ohrid University of Sofia or Sofia University is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October 1888...
(1974).
Foreign Ministry service
Elena Poptodorova joined the Ministry of Foreign AffairsMinistry of Foreign Affairs (Bulgaria)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria is the ministry charged with overseeing the foreign relations of Bulgaria. It has been in existence since shortly after the Liberation of Bulgaria, with the first minister stepping into office on 17 July 1879...
in 1975 and served from 3rd secretary through minister-counselor in the Secretariat, the State Protocol, the Cabinet of the Minister and the UN and Disarmament Directorates through 1990, when she was elected in the national legislature.
From 1987 to 1990 she was minister-counselor at the Bulgarian embassy in Rome and Bulgaria’s Consul General to the Republic of San Marino.
Prior to her appointment in Washington, Ambassador Elena Poptodorova was Director of the Security Policy Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a position, which she held for a year since August 1, 2009. In the period 2008 – 2009 she served as Ambassador-at-Large for the Black Sea Region at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Before her first mandate as the Ambassador of Bulgaria to the USA, she served as a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Organizations Directorate.
From 2002 to 2008 she was Bulgaria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America, when Bulgaria became member of NATO and the EU.
Ambassador Poptodorova is fluent in English, Italian, French, Russian, and her native Bulgarian.
Member of the National Parliament
Ms. Poptodorova had a long career as a politician right from the beginning of the changes in Bulgaria in 1989. She was first elected Member of the National Assembly of BulgariaNational Assembly of Bulgaria
The National Assembly of Bulgaria is the unicameral parliament and body of the legislative of the Republic of Bulgaria.The National Assembly of Bulgaria was established in 1879 with the Constitution of Bulgaria.-Ordinary National Assembly:...
in the 7th Constituent Assembly from the list of the Bulgarian Socialist Party
Bulgarian Socialist Party
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is social-democratic political party in Bulgaria and successor to the Bulgarian Communist Party. The BSP is a member of the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International, and is currently led by Sergei Stanishev....
in 1990, and was a speaker of the Parliamentary group of BSP. She was re-elected in the 36th, 37th and 38th National Parliaments. She served on the committees on foreign policy, national security, radio and TV, human rights, agriculture. She was the Deputy Chair of the Bulgarian delegation to the International Parliamentary Union, member of the national delegations to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe , which held its first session in Strasbourg on 10 August 1949, can be considered the oldest international parliamentary assembly with a pluralistic composition of democratically elected members of parliament established on the basis of an...
(PACE), and the Joint Parliamentary Committee ‘Bulgaria-EU’. She also served as Deputy Chair of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (IEPFPD)
Education
Elena Poptodorova earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees at the St. Kliment Ohridski UniversitySofia University
The St. Clement of Ohrid University of Sofia or Sofia University is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October 1888...
of Sofia in English and Italian linguistic and literary studies, after which she attended a post-graduate course in international relations at the University of National and World Economy
University of National and World Economy
The University of National and World Economy is a university located in Sofia, Bulgaria.- History :University of National and World Economy is one of the biggest and oldest higher educational institutions of economics in the Republic of Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe with a history of almost...
in Sofia. She specialized at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, UK and the University of Siena
University of Siena
The University of Siena in Siena, Tuscany is one of the oldest and first publicly funded universities in Italy. Originally called Studium Senese, the University of Siena was founded in 1240. The University has around 20,000 students, nearly half of Siena's total population of around 54,000...
, Italy.
Affiliations
Ambassador Poptodorova is a founding member and member of the Boards of Bulgarian nongovernmental organizations among which:- The Atlantic Club of BulgariaAtlantic Club of BulgariaThe Atlantic Club of Bulgaria is a non-governmental, non-partisan organization dedicated to fostering the common values of the Euro-Atlantic community.- Mission :...
- The Center for Regional and Geopolitical Research
- The Bulgarian Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association which she currently chairs.
Since 1995 Elena Poptodorova is Trustee of the Board of Directors of the American University in Bulgaria
American University in Bulgaria
American University in Bulgaria is a private, selective, residential liberal arts university located in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Courses are taught in English by high-quality faculty coming from four continents, experienced in teaching in a multicultural, learner-centered environment...
.
She is also member of the Washington-based Executive Council on Diplomacy and Women’s Foreign Policy Group.
Ambassador Poptodorova is Doctor Honoris Causa of the Assumption College
Assumption College
Assumption College is a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college located on 185 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts. Assumption has an enrollment of about 2,117 undergraduates...
, Worcester, USA.
Awards and Honors
- 2011 - Distinguished Service Award by the American University in Bulgaria
- 2008 - The Annual Award of the General Federation of Women's ClubsGeneral Federation of Women's ClubsThe General Federation of Women's Clubs , founded in 1890, is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service...
of the United States of America for leadership and outstanding contribution to the empowerment of women; - 2008 - Medal of Honor “For Valour and Merit”, I class, of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior, for outstanding contribution to establishing the rule of law in Bulgaria, and the enhancement of the national interest and of national and European security;
- 2008 - Recognition Award of the Director of the US Secret Service in appreciation of her many contributions in support of the Secret Service mission and selfless commitment to the ideals and principles of law enforcement.
- 2007 - The Gold Medal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for outstanding contribution to Bulgaria’s accession to the EU;
- 2003 - The Gold Medal of Bulgaria’s Atlantic Club for promoting Bulgaria’s membership in NATO;
- 2003 - Silver Medal on the occasion of 100 Years of Bulgarian-US Diplomatic Relations;
- 2002 - Honorary Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in recognition of services rendered to the European cause.