Bulgaria supports the European perspective of Moldova and welcomes the action plan on visa issues and negotiations on the creation of a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA).

This became clear after a meeting between Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov and his Moldovan counterpart Iurie Leanca.

Mladenov said that in the interim, building legitimate and stable institutions in the Republic of Moldovawas essential.

He reiterated Bulgaria’s support for the official decision to resume, by the end of this year, negotiations in the “5 + 2” format in regard to Transnistria - an important step towards a lasting settlement of the Transnistrian problem.

“We hope that all those involved in the negotiations will make a constructive effort to find a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict, while respecting the unity and territorial integrity of Moldova,” Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministersaid.

Mladenov and Leanca also discussed the quality of learning of the Bulgarian language and the retention of staff at Bulgarian schoolsin Moldova. There are 34 schools in Moldova where Bulgarian is taught