The consulates of Turkey, Bulgaria and Russia may be opened in Comrat, Bashkan of Gagauzia Mihail Formuzal announced in a news conference on May 14, quoted by IPN.

The Bashkan said that an official letter was sent to the Foreign Ministry of Russia, which is to obtain the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova to opening a Russian consulate in Comrat, in accordance with the requirements of the Venice Commission. Mihail Formuzal could not say when the Russian consulate will be opened, arguing this is a long-term process. When a positive relevant decision is adopted, the authorities of Comrat will provide the necessary offices.

“We want several consulates to be opened in Gagauzia, including of Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia, given that many Bulgarians live in the autonomous region, a lot of citizens have businesses and work in Turkey, while another over 25,000 work in Russia. The necessity of consulates in the region is acute as access to consular services must be facilitated,” stated Mihail Formuzal.

He added that when the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Cemil Çiçek visited Moldova, he announced that an honorific consulate of Turkey will be soon opened in Gagauzia.