A series of new appointments are looming at Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry at the end of the summer, Dnevnik daily found out from sources close to Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin. This follows from the package of new ambassadorial appointments approved by the Cabinet a month ago as well as the return to Bulgaria of ambassadors whose mandates have expired. 

Therefore, during his last year in office Kalfin may change the heads of at least four directorates at the ministry, responsible for Bulgaria's relations with Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the Balkans and Central Europe respectively, Dnevnik daily said.

Hristo Goudjev has already been appointed chief of the America directorate. Up to now, Goudjev served as Bulgaria's deputy ambassador to the US, meaning the second person in rank at the embassy after ambassador Elena Poptodorova. Initially, it was expected that she become head of the America directorate after her ambassador's mandate ended this autumn. According to diplomatic sources, however, Poptodorova would most probably become an ambassador with special mission or would head the Europe II directorate at the ministry that co-ordinates Bulgaria's policy with the European Union member states, Dnevnik daily said.

The head until now of the Europe I directorate (in charge of the ties with Balkan states), Kosyo Kitipov, is leaving to become ambassador to South Korea, with Bulgaria's current ambassador to Montenegro, Snezhana Naidenova, probably assuming his post, Dnevnik daily said.

Bulgaria's ambassador to China, Angel Orbetsov, will most probably be appointed head of the Asia directorate. The post is vacant because Krassimir Stefanov, who has been in charge of the directorate up until now, is leaving to become ambassador to Australia. Orbetsov is an expert on Iran. He also used to be charge d'affaires ad interim at Bulgaria's embassy to Afghanistan (1995-1999) and in 2002 he prepared the restoration of the Bulgarian diplomatic representation in Kabul and the sending of the first Bulgarian contingent to Afghanistan. Bulgaria's ambassador to Israel, Petko Dimitrov, whose term in office also ends in September, would probably again head the Middle East and Africa directorate, Dnevnik daily said.

The post of spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry is expected to be taken by Dragovest Goranov, currently Bulgarian ambassador to India. The current spokesperson of the ministry, Dimitar Tsanchev, has already received approval and will leave to become ambassador in Tel Aviv. The current head of the Southeast Asia department, Borislav Kostov, will become Bulgaria's ambassador in Delhi, Dnevnik daily said.

The Bulgarian ambassador to Australia and former spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry at the time Solomon Passi used to be Bulgaria's Foreign Minister, Lyubomir Todorov, will be the new head of the State Protocol directorate. Currently the directorate has an acting director, Ivan Kondov, after in August 2007 its then head Ivan Tsvetkov was sent as ambassador to Sweden, Dnevnik daily said.