Velislava Petrova and Mihai Popșoi Discuss Moldova’s European Integration, the Bulgarian National Minority and the Development of Taraclia
09 September 2026 News
Moldova’s European integration, support for the Bulgarian national minority in the country and the development of the Taraclia region were among the main topics discussed by Minister Velislava Petrova and her counterpart from the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, who is visiting Bulgaria. Other key issues addressed during today’s meeting between the two ministers included energy security and opportunities to expand trade and economic cooperation.
During the talks, Minister Velislava Petrova reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for Moldova’s European integration. She welcomed the efforts of the Moldovan Government and the progress achieved by the country on its own merits. “Moldova clearly demonstrates that, where there is political will and readiness for reform, the path towards accession to the European Union is possible, even in a deteriorating security environment and with military hostilities taking place in the immediate vicinity,” the Bulgarian Foreign Minister emphasised.
Velislava Petrova highlighted the strong historical and cultural ties between Bulgaria and Moldova. In this context, she emphasised the important role played by the Bulgarian national minority in the Republic of Moldova in relations between the two countries. The Bulgarian community numbers around 50,000 people and is concentrated mainly in the southern part of the country – in the Taraclia District and the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia – although Bulgarians also live in other parts of Moldova. “The Bulgarian community is a natural link between Bulgaria and Moldova and a factor that provides a powerful impetus for the development of our cooperation,” Minister Petrova emphasised. She added that Bulgaria highly appreciates the efforts of the Moldovan authorities to create favourable conditions for the exercise of the ethnocultural rights of the Bulgarian national minority, particularly in the field of education. According to Minister Petrova, a clear example in this regard is the transformation of Taraclia State University “Grigoriy Tsamblak” into a branch of the “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse. It is the first independent Bulgarian state higher education institution outside Bulgaria, and currently has more than 400 students. Velislava Petrova thanked the Moldovan authorities for their commitment to ensuring that the country’s administrative reform would not adversely affect the Bulgarian national minority. “We highly appreciate the consistent efforts of the Moldovan Government to preserve the territorial integrity and functional powers of Taraclia, as well as the plan presented for the transformation of the region, under which it will acquire a legal status analogous to that of the capital, Chișinău, and Moldova’s second-largest city, Bălți,” Minister Petrova stated.
During the talks, Minister Petrova highlighted Bulgaria’s role in strengthening the security of energy supplies in South-Eastern Europe, as well as the need for further diversification and enhanced regional connectivity. In this regard, she highlighted the strategic importance of the Vertical Gas Corridor, including for strengthening Moldova’s energy security. “This is a tangible dimension of our partnership and of Bulgaria’s consistent support,” Minister Petrova added.
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