“The signed Association Agreement raises the relationships between the Republic of Moldova and the EU to a new level and creates favorable conditions for strengthening the cooperation between Bulgaria and Moldova.” This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti, who is paying an official visit to our country. This is the first visit abroad of Moldova’s Head of State after the Association Agreement with the EU was signed.
European integration is “the engine” not only of peace, democracy and human development, but also of implementing important reforms. Bulgaria is consistent in its support for Moldova’s European prospects, Rosen Plevneliev told the representatives of the media. The Head of State was adamant that reforming key sectors such as justice and public administration, creating a good investment climate and fighting corruption are a proof of the civilization choice the Republic of Moldova has made and the country’s determination to continue following the path of EU integration. “I hope that Bulgaria will be among the first countries to ratify the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU, we also rely on the practical support for implementing it,” President Timofti said.
The Association Agreement signed between Moldova and the EU on 27 June creates a “broad and comprehensive free trade zone,” which should encourage investments and the country’s trade. The two presidents unanimously agreed that Bulgaria and Moldova have the potential to considerably exceed the level of bilateral trade of 125 million US dollars a year. At the meeting the two Heads of State also agreed on scheduling a meeting of the Joint Commission for Trade and Scientific Cooperation as soon as possible. Bulgarian companies show interest in launching infrastructure projects in the transport and road infrastructure sectors, in the newly-created industrial parks and in the construction of railway container terminals on the territory of Moldova. Improving the business environment in Moldova creates opportunities for Bulgarian companies to make investments in projects in the agriculture, energy and tourism sectors, the Moldovan President said.
Rosen Plevneliev voiced his gratitude to Nicolae Timofti for the created conditions for preserving and developing the cultural and spiritual identity of the Bulgarian community in Moldova. The preservation of the Taralia region as an individual administrative unit and preserving the opportunities our compatriots have to study Bulgarian were among the basic issues discussed by the two presidents at the meeting. “We share the interest in consolidating the policies on supporting the ethnic Bulgarians living in the Republic of Moldova and creating conditions for preserving and developing the spiritual and cultural identity of these citizens, in compliance with EU standards. I can assure you that no matter what changes are made, they will not affect the Bulgarian community’s way of life and conditions for development. The Bulgarian community will continue learning its mother tongue and history, as all people in Moldova do,” the Moldovan Head of State emphasized.
Both Bulgaria and Moldova consider strengthening the cooperation in the spheres of science, culture and education very important, Rosen Plevneliev and Nicolae Timofti further said at the joint press conference.
The situation in Ukraine was also discussed at their meeting. Bulgaria and Moldova support the peace plan proposed by President Petro Poroshenko and call on for overcoming the crisis in the country by using peaceful instruments and by holding a dialogue at a national and international level. The Head of State also voiced Bulgaria’s support for Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Timofti was welcomed by the Bulgarian Head of State with an official ceremony at the Alexander Nevski square in Sofia after which he laid a wreath in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. During his visit he will also hold talks with National Assembly Speaker Mikhail Mikov and Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.