In the 1990s, Bulgaria moved gradually away from dependence on markets in the former Soviet sphere, increasing its exports to the European Union (EU). In 1999 Bulgaria joined the Central European Free-Trade Agreement (CEFTA), with whose members (Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia; Macedonia was added in 2006) it has established important trade relations.
In the 1990s, Bulgaria shifted away from dependence on markets within the former Soviet Union, increasing its exports to the European Union (EU), and joined the Central European Free-Trade Agreement (CEFTA) with member states that have fostered important trade relations.