Head of Mission

 

H.E. Mr. Marin Raykov

Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the

Republic of Bulgaria to the Court of St. James's

 

Born on December 17, 1960, in Washington, DC, USA. Son of high-ranking Bulgarian diplomat, Ambassador Rayko Nikolov.

In 1984, Marin Raykov earned a degree in International Relations from the University for National and World Economy in Sofia.

In 1988, Marin Raykov joined Bulgarian Diplomatic Service.

In 1988 - 1992, he served at the Balkan countries Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sofia (MFA).

In 1992 - 1995, he was posted as a diplomat at the Bulgarian Embassy in Belgrade during the war in Former Yugoslavia.

In 1995 - 1997, Ambassador Raykov was a political and social issues expert at the Human Rights and Humanitarian and Social Cooperation Department, MFA.

In 1997 - 1998, he was appointed as Bulgaria’s Deputy Permanent Representative at the Council of Europe.

In 1998 - 2001, Ambassador Raykov served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of the Union of Democratic Forces of Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

In 2001 - 2005, he was accredited as Bulgaria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and Monaco (resident in Paris), as Permanent Representative to UNESCO, as well as the Bulgarian President’s personal representative in the International Organization of La Francophonie.

In 2005 - 2008, he was an Ambassador at Large with “European Foreign Policy” and “Strategic Issues” Departments, MFA.

In 2009 - 2010 Ambassador Raykov served his second term as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

In 2010 - 2013 he was appointed for a second term as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France and Monaco (resident in Paris), as well as the Bulgarian President’s personal representative in the International Organization of La Francophonie.

On 12 March 2013 the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev appointed Marin Raykov interim Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria for the period 13 March 2013 – 29 May 2013.

From 19 August 2013 to 31 October 2018 Marin Raykov was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Rome, non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to San Marino as of 13 March 2014 and non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Malta as of 5 March 2015.

 

Member of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, the Executive Committee of the Bulgarian Association of International Law, the International Law Association and the Executive Board of the Bulgarian Foreign Policy Association.

Grand Officer of the "Order of the Phoenix" of Greece.

Grand Officier of the "Order of National Merit" of France.

Commander of the Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur of France.

Companion K.O.M. of the National Order of Merit of Malta.

Fluent in English, French and Russian.

Married with two children.