Bulgaria's head of state Rosen Plevneliev received on Saturday the "Person of the Year 2015" award during his visit to Ukraine.

Plevneliev was awarded due to his contribution to Ukraine for his contribution to the defense of the country's integrity, sovereignty and European values, according to his press office.

Another achievement cited by Ukrainian authorities is his work for strengthening Ukraine's ties with the international community.

The President described the award as a recognition for the role of more than 250 000 ethnic Bulgarians in Ukraine in the relations of friendliness and cooperation between the two countries.

It was Ukraine's first President, Leonid Kuchma, who handed out the award.

Earlier bearers include late Pope John Paul II, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Polish President (1995-2005) Aleksander Kwasniewski, and former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Plevneliev has been outspoken on the Ukraine crisis, condemning the incorporation of Crimea into Russia in March 2014 and criticizing Moscow's actions in Eastern Ukraine. He has often drawn outrage from Russian authorities, but also from the socialist opposition in Bulgaria and other parties.

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