This past week Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov made some interesting choices while on an official visit to Japan. For the whole story you can check out this piece: The Doner Kebab as the Pinnacle of Bulgarian Diplomacy. Um, yes, that’s the actual title of the editorial.
How did the doner find itself the center of attention? And what’s a doner?
The doner kebab is a street food served up in hole-in-the-wall fast food stands. The what’s the deal? Well the following things all come wrapped up in a flat tortilla like bread: sliced pork/beef/chicken, french fries, tomatoes, lettuce/cabbage and a sauce of some sort. It’s tasty but quick and greasy.
It’s pretty unclear why Boyko Borisov felt the need to say this but he did:
Bulgaria is under no threat of terrorist attacks over its balanced foreign policy and good relations with the Arab world. We maintain friendly relations with Palestine, with all Arab countries. The Arab world is doing business in Bulgaria; there is a doner kebab on every street corner.
Now it seems everyone is talking about it. Both Boyko Borisov and the doner. For good reason, I guess.
I can’t help wondering: is this really diplomacy Bulgarian style? Awesome.
It’s diplomacy Boyko Borisov style
It works. Bulgaria has really good relations with most of the Arab world, and there are a lot of Arabs living in bulgaria. He said it as a joke, but seriously Bulgaria doesn’t have problems with terrorists.
Did anyone expect anything less from Mr. Borisov? Most of the time I read an article about him it entails Mr. Borisov playing tennis/soccer/martial arts ,etc. Seldom is Mr. Borisov seen negotiating economic deals or anything of this sort with foreign leaders.
This is what you get Bulgaria for electing this intelect!
How I miss the 90s!
Хах, да това е дипломация в стила на ББ. Защо мислиш, че си добре дошла в България? Защото има американски фастфууд на всеки ъгъл, така че американците са добре дошли
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Haha, yup, that’s BB’s style of diplomacy. Why you think you are welcome in Bulgaria? Because there is american fastfood on every corner, so americans are welcome
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Well, Boiko Borisov’s numerous crazy sounding phrases can be compared to George W. Bush’s blunders whenever he spoke instead of reading the the speeches his assistants wrote for him. A lot of people in Bulgaria feel embarrassed because of Boiko Borisov, but he is still quite popular among others. At least he cannot (hopefully!) start a pointless and devastating war in a foreign contry.
@Doriana This a very funny and insightful comment. Thanks!
And here we are with new term on the horizon – Bulgarian style diplomacy! Enjoy!
It’s a pitty that it’s not funny!