A consulate general of Bulgaria is to be inaugurated in Taraclia on October 31. Its services will be used by the people living in the region, mainly those of Bulgarian ethnicity, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Galbur announced in a conference held jointly with his Bulgarian counterpart Ekaterina Zaharieva, who is in Moldova on a two-day visit, in the evening of October 30, IPN reports.

According to Andrei Galbur, the members of the Bulgarian community who live in Taraclia district were and will be an important factor in the bilateral relations between the two states. This year it is 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moldova and Bulgaria and the Bulgarians in the period contributed to the development of the Republic of Moldova and to the progress made on the path of European integration.

“In the meeting, we underlined the importance of strengthening the political dialogue between our states, the assistance provided by Bulgaria in the process of doing reforms to modernize the Republic of Moldova. We spoke about the European dimension given that Bulgaria is preparing to take over the rotating presidency of the EU Council, which it will hold in the first half of next year. We also spoke about the importance of consolidating the bilateral legal framework,” said Andrei Galbur.

For her part, Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva noted that the opening of Bulgaria’s consulate general in Taraclia was decided in a short period of time owing to the assistance provided by the Moldovan diplomatic service. She thanked the authorities for making sure that the ethnic Bulgarians are able to study the Bulgarian language, history and traditions at school.

“We celebrate 25 years of friendship and confidence. We had an excellent relationship at all dimensions. We should encourage the business communities to meet more often and to enhance the commercial relations. Trade between our states increases and we can obtain more. Bulgaria will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of next year. This will enable us to strengthen more out bilateral relations. Bulgaria has always been a devoted supporter of Moldova’s European course,” stated the Bulgarian official.

The program of the October 30 – 31 visit of Ekaterina Zaharieva includes meetings with Prime Minister Pavel Filip, the authorities of Taraclia district and with representatives of the Bulgarian community in southern Moldova.