Interim Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov has dismissed his institution's Permanent Secretary, Georgi Dimitrov, the ministry's press office says.

Dimitrov's participation in a trade entity and a low performance were what the reasons behind the decision of Mitov, the office told the Bulgarian National Radio, firmly denying the move was anyhow related to the Bulgarian Communist-era security agency called State Security (DS).

The dismissed Permanent Secretary is determined to bring the Foreign Ministry to court, downplaying both motives and denying his involvement in any commercial activity.

He argued minister Daniel Mitov had intended to take the step "from his first day" in office and accused him of "carrying out someone else's order".

Dimitrov, who virtually had the top position at the diplomatic service since Mitov's predecessor Kristian Vigenin appointed him, was in charge of the budget and career development of diplomats.

He was Bulgaria's ambassador to Serbia prior to being recalled by ex-Forein Minister Nikolay Mladenov (in the 2009-2013 GERB cabinet) over his affiliation to DS.

He appealed the move in court and won, but a major diplomatic row prompted him to step down as Serbia's Deputy Defense Minister argued he no longer represented Bulgaria.

Mitov had earlier promised to avoid major reshuffles at the ministry.