A commemorative plaque in memory of the Moldovan volunteers that died in the Russian-Turkish war of liberation was unveiled in the Bulgarian town of Plevna. The event forms part of the activities organized to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the liberation of Plevna. President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin took part in the event on the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Gheorghi Pyrvanov. In his speech, Vladimir Voronin said that the march of the Russian army to Bulgaria started in Chisinau. “Only such sacred words as independence and freedom can join the people of different nationalities, can find place for compassion and solidarity in their hearts,” the head of state said. Vladimir Voronin thanked the Bulgarian authorities and people for remembering the Moldovans that died in battles. “It is important for us that the people and land of Bulgaria never forget them, as we are proud of the joint victories in that holy war, the president said. At the meeting with Gheorghi Pyrvanov, Vladimir Voronin stressed that Moldova constantly feels the support on the path to European integration offered by Bulgaria, while Gheorghi Pyrvanov assured that the Bulgarian authorities will continue supporting Moldova in its efforts to join the EU and in identifying a sustainable solution to the Transnistrian conflict, a communiqué from the presidential press service says. The two presidents pleaded for strengthening the commercial and economic cooperation between Moldova and Bulgaria and stressed the importance of developing the ties between the business circles, including by creating new joint Moldovan-Bulgarian companies. They underlined the necessity of opening a route Chisinau-Sofia with the aim of fostering the relations between the two states. According to the communiqué, the two officials also discussed the cultural-humanitarian aspects of the bilateral cooperation. They highlighted the opportunity of organising a meeting of education ministers to examine projects of cooperation in the area. Gheorghi Pyrvanov expressed his gratitude to the Moldovan authorities for the conditions created for the Bulgarian ethnic minority in Moldova, which enjoys possibilities of developing culturally and asserting the national identity, the communiqué says. Over 12,000 Moldovans took part in the Russian-Turkish war.