On September 4 2008, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin received the newly-appointed Russian ambassador to Bulgaria, Yuri Isakov, at the Foreign Ministry.

Over talks, the two reviewed bilateral Bulgarian-Russian relations in different fields. They discussed a national exhibition of Russia in Bulgaria in October, as well as the cultural events to be held in line with the forthcoming Year of Bulgaria in Russia in 2009, the press service of the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
 
Officials also exchanged opinions on the situation in Georgia. Kalfin pointed out co-ordinating a common position and approach of the European Union regarding the conflict is a priority for Bulgaria.

He said that at their September 5-6 informal meeting in the French city of Avignon, the foreign ministers of EU's member states will discuss the principles on which the bloc will develop its relations with Russia in the long term.