We will do everything necessary for Bulgaria’s parliament to ratify, as soon as possible, the Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union. The statement was made by the president of the National Assembly Mihail Mikov at a meeting with the President of the Republic of Moldova Nikolae Timofti. The Head of the State of Moldova has visited on July 1st, 2014 Bulgaria for one-day long visit at the invitation of Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev.

Bulgaria is ready to share its experience accumulated throughout the years before the accession of the country to the European Union, stated the Speaker of Bulgaria’s parliament. In the words of Mihail Mikov the process of association is long and difficult, a process in which the members of the friendship groups and committees of the two parliaments could play an active role.

Mihail Mikov underscored that Bulgaria considers an important part of Moldova’s accession process the support of different ethnic groups’ identities and added Bulgaria will continue the efforts to support the Bulgarian community in Moldova.

He expressed hope that the decision of Moldova to embark on the road of European Union integration will foster the deepening of the economic relations between the two countries. Trade is increasing in the last two years but we need to intensify the cooperation in the business field, he pointed out.

The President of Moldova has thanked Bulgaria and the Head of Bulgaria’s parliament Mihail Mikov for the support extended to Moldova for its European integration. He noted that Moldova was heading to a new road and the country would count on the help of the former socialist countries – Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic states, already members of the EU. He added the parliament of Moldova is to ratify the Association Agreement with the EU on 2 July 2014.   He appealed to the Bulgarian parliament to ratify the Agreement at the earliest convenience. In his words, the ratification will be an expression of the support of Bulgaria for Moldova’s European integration.

The Bulgarian diaspora in Moldova numbers 60-65 thousand people, noticed the president of Moldova. He specified further that the rights of the citizens of different ethnic backgrounds in his country were guaranteed and there were no obstacles for them to preserve their language and culture. Nikolae Timofti explained at the meeting that he had delivered the concrete proposals for assistance on the part of Bulgaria, relating to the Taraklia region, to Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski on behalf of his Moldova’s counterpart.