Bulgaria is a friend to Moldova and a supporter of its European integration, President Plevneliev said at a meeting today at 2 Dondoukov Boulevard with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Filat.

The President emphasised that it was in the interest of all EU countries for the process of enlargement to be completed. “Bulgaria is ready to share its experiences in this regard as it travelled the path of profound social reforms, which the Moldovan authorities are now taking,” he said.

President Plevneliev and Prime Minister Filat spoke highly of the economic co-operation between Bulgaria and Moldova. In 2011, bilateral trade was 40 per cent higher than in 2010, adding up to $100 million. Many were optimistic that the business forum held in Sofia would have a positive effect on increasing bilateral trade. Mr Filat said that Moldova is to privatise major state assets and invited Bulgarian businesses to participate in this process. He emphasised that the Taraklia region of Moldova has two free economic zones, which also could be of interest to Bulgarian businesses.

"The development of the Taraklia region, home to about 40 000 Bulgarians, is particularly important for Bulgarian society," President Plevneliev said, and expressed the expectation that the forthcoming reforms in Moldova would not lead to a decline in the administrative, cultural and educational facilities for the Bulgarian community. He expressed Bulgaria’s gratitude for the Moldovan government decision to restore funding to the Taraklia region. Bulgaria’s President and Moldova’s Prime Minister expressed their support for transforming Taraklia University into a regional facilitiy, which will allow it to educate Bulgarians from Ukraine and Romania.

The meeting also noted the good bilateral co-operation in culture and education. Prime Minister Filat praised the fact that Moldovan citizens could get scholarships to study at Bulgarian universities.

President Plevneliev invited his Moldovan counterpart, Nicolae Timofti, to visit Bulgaria at a time convenient to him.