Bulgaria supports the efforts of Moldova on its path to the EU
16 December 2011 News
Negotiations on the establishment of a free trade agreement with Moldova should begin
We welcome the recent decision to launch negotiations on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with Moldova as soon as possible, and hope that these negotiations proceed at a steady pace, leading to the conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive association agreement.
This was said by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov along with the foreign ministers of Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia in a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle and Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.
“Within the Eastern Partnership, Moldova has showed that it has the willingness and capacity to succeed - a goal that will serve the interests of the EU in promoting a reliable and results-oriented policy in its eastern neighborhood," the letter said.
"The authorities in Chisinau have fulfilled almost all requirements of the first phase of the Action Plan for visa liberalization. We believe that the EU can positively evaluate these efforts and take the decision to launch the second phase of the Plan.
Now is the right time to take appropriate decision and to confirm the full support of the EU reform process in Moldova, through the deepening of relations, especially in the area of free trade and free movement of people.”
Bulgarian community in Moldova can help the country on its path to the EU
“Bulgaria supports you, because you have maintained the most genuine respect for the homeland. You are a latter-day National Revival,” Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov said during a meeting with the Bulgarian community in Moldova at the Grigorii Tsamblak Taraclia State University.
Minister Mladenov emphasised that Bulgaria supports Moldova’s European perspective, and he called on Bulgarians to play an active part in helping to carry out the historic task facing Moldova.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Minister of Moldova, Iurie Leancă, who emphasised that relations with the Bulgarian minority should be seen as a model for relations with other minorities in the country.
The visit by Minister Mladenov continues with a meeting with the leadership of the region and Taraclia Bulgarian school.
In 1995, a government decision joined a number of settlements with Bulgarian communities to the Taraclia region, making it a Bulgarian national and cultural centre.
The establishment of Grigorii Tsamblak Taraclia State University, which opened on October 1 2004, contributed significantly to shaping the region as a cultural and educational centre for Bulgarians in Moldova.
With more than 290 students currently being taught there, it is in first place among Bulgarian communities outside Bulgaria.
Visa-free travel and free trade agreement with the EU are important for Moldova
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov, along with colleagues from Romania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and Slovakia, have signed a letter to EU institutions in support of Moldova.
They said that negotiations should begin with Moldova on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and the country should progress to the second phase in the process of visa liberalization.
The Government of Moldova is carrying out serious reforms in the Europeanization of the country and therefore has our full support, Minister Mladenov said today at the start of a two-day visit to Chisinau.
In the Moldovan capital, he met Prime Minister Vladimir Filat, Foreign Minister Iurie Leancă and Acting President and the President of Parliament, Marian Lupu.
Mladenov said that it was good that the Government in Chisinau was aware that the country had no alternative but the road to Europe. He offered expert assistance from Bulgaria in the process of negotiating various agreements with the EU.
Mladenov's visit continues with meetings at the Bulgarian Vasil Levski Theoretical Lyceum, and with the Bulgarian community in Chisinau and Taraclia.