Chair of the Bulgaria-Moldova Friendship Group Filip Popov and group members met with Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister on European Integration Iurie Leancă. Among the topics discussed at the meeting were opportunities for more active bilateral cooperation, the European development of Moldova, and the issues of the Bulgarian community there.

Our two countries have friendly relations and an active political dialogue, said Chair of the Bulgaria-Moldova Friendship Group Filip Popov. He emphasised that Bulgaria firmly supported the European prospect for Moldova and thanked for the favourable conditions for the preservation of the national, cultural and linguistic identity of the Bulgarian diaspora. In his words, it is the natural connection between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister of the European Integration of Moldova Iurie Leancă said that the bilateral diplomatic relations were very good, and that both Sofia and Chişinău would benefit from a more active political dialogue. According to him, Bulgaria’s experience will be very helpful for Moldova’s European development, which has no alternative. The Bulgarian community is our heritage and asset, said Iurie Leancă.

MP Toma Bikov said that Moldova had a lobby on the Balkans for its integration in the European Union. We all will be much stronger, if we are united and work as one on the problems around us, he said and added that it was necessary to explain the real benefits from EU membership to the people of Bulgarian origin living in the region of Taraclia. Moldova is a European country and its place is in United Europe, said Toma Bikov.

MP Dora Yankova raised the issue about closer cooperation between the Bulgarian and the Moldovan municipalities, as well as the implementation of projects of mutual interest. In her words, the close cooperation and fraternisation will bring about shared emotions and valuable European experience in relation to the pre-accession.