Moldova willing more active support in EU integration on behalf of Bulgaria

Chisinau, 4 October /MOLDPRES/ – Moldova wants more active support for EU integration on behalf of Bulgaria, thr country which will hold the presidency of the EU Council in first half of 2018. The issue was discussed at the meeting by Deputy Speaker, Iurie Leanca, and Deputy Speaker of Bulgaria, Iliana Yotova, being on a visit to Moldova today, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

"Moldova wants to forward on the European integration’s path, by the support of friendly countries. I hope the visit will stimulate new approaches in the bilateral dialogue and we shall benefit from more active support on the European vector," said Iurie Leanca.

The Deputy Speaker also referred to the situation of the Bulgarian community in Moldova, which has needed continuous support from both Moldovan and Bulgarian authorities. Iurie Leanca said he was personally interested in having Bulgarians feel good in Moldova, given that his mother was of Bulgarian origin.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament called for the support of the Bulgarian authorities for the computerization of Bulgarian-language schools in Moldova, proposing also the twinning of the Bulgarian villages in Moldova with the rural communities in Bulgaria, as well as the organization of regional economic investment forums.

At her turn, Iliana Yotova reiterated Bulgaria's support for Moldova both on the European integration path and in its development projects. The official said that Bulgaria, during the first presidency of the EU Council, will closely follow the progress made by the Eastern Partnership countries. In a different context, the Bulgarian Deputy Speaker thanked the Moldovan authorities for exemplifying the study of the Bulgarian language and respect of traditions of the Bulgarian community.

Attending the meeting, the head of the Foreign Policy and European Integration Commission, Violeta Ivanov, thanked for the support given to Moldova by Bulgaria. The MP stressed the importance of the Moldovan – Bulgarian interparliamentary relations, especially at the level of the commissions, for the transfer of experience and best practices on the European integration dimension and the approximation of legislation to EU directives.

The member of the parliament, Corneliu Dudnic, noted the support offered by Iliana Yotova during the time he was Member of the European Parliament. The parliamentarian also said that, based on the recent amendments to the Electoral Code approved by the Legislature, after elections in 2018, the Bulgarian community in Moldova has the chance to get its own representative in the legislative forum.

The parliament member, Oleg Lipskii, chairman of the Friendship Parliamentary Group with Bulgaria, pleaded for boosting economic cooperation between Moldova and Bulgaria.