Bulgaria's President: With the signed agreement for gas transmission, we lend a hand to Moldova in a difficult situation

Bulgaria and Moldova signed an agreement for gas transmission through the Bulgartransgaz gas transmission system. This became clear after President Rumen Radev's meeting with Moldovan President, Maia Sandu, on October 27, 2022. The agreement will enable Moldova to have access to liquefied gas from terminals in Greece and Turkey.

At a joint press conference, President Radev said that Bulgaria strongly supports Moldova's European orientation and is ready to cooperate and help in the European integration process. In June, the country was granted EU candidate status.

"We have walked our difficult path towards EU membership, we know what efforts are needed, what deep reforms need to be made and we are ready to share our experience," Radev said.

He said that Bulgaria is an integral part of the common European support for Moldova's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

He added that he and President Sandu had expressed concern that as a result of the war in Ukraine, the two countries were facing serious challenges, not only for security, but for the economy and social systems.

"We can successfully confront these challenges if we stand in solidarity and work together. The signed agreement of the gas transmission operators is an important step in this direction. With this agreement, we are reaching out to Moldova in a difficult situation, and this is the manifestation of solidarity and a common approach to crises to help Moldova have diversification of supply," the President said.

Radev and Sandu discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral relations, as well as in relation to the changed geopolitical situation since the war in Ukraine and its impact on the European security system, social and economic development. Opportunities for deepening cooperation in areas such as investment, agriculture, tourism, transport and education were discussed.

Radev thanked President Sandu for increasing Bulgarian language classes in schools in the Taracri region, as well as for preserving the cultural, national and historical identity of the Bulgarian community in Moldova. He expressed hope that a solution will be found on the status of Taraclia University.

"Moldova and Bulgaria are linked by traditional friendship and trust, based on centuries-old spiritual and cultural ties between our peoples," the President said.

He and Maia Sandu reviewed all the bilateral agreements signed so far, which are 60. In a week in Sofia, Bulgaria will hand over the chairmanship of the Central European Initiative to Moldova.

"Your visit marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also the friendship that binds us over the centuries through history, culture and people. For some 200 years, Moldova has been the homeland of a Bulgarian community that found a home which welcomed them," Maia Sandu said.

"Our goal is to be united and build together a future that is peaceful and prosperous, whatever our ethnic roots, whatever language we speak or whatever our political beliefs - we are all part of the state of the Republic of Moldova and we all face the same difficulties. Our future in the EU is close to Bulgaria and the European countries. The unity of the whole European continent is very important today and to respond decisively to Russia's war against Ukraine," Sandu added.

She said Moldova does not recognise the illegal annexation of Ukraine's territories. The death and destruction must stop and the only way is for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, she said.

Sandu further said the country is currently in the worst energy crisis and there is no doubt that energy resources are being used as a weapon to destabilise Moldova.

She welcomed the signing of the agreement with Bulgaria for access and transport of natural gas through the Bulgartransgaz gas transmission system.

"With this, we will be able to diversify our sources of natural gas and we will be able to connect the national gas transport network with other systems. This will consolidate Ukraine's energy independence," Sandu said.

She said Moldova wants to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas, consolidate trade relations, and attract more investment. Deeper cooperation in education is also a goal.

Bulgaria’s President Radev arrived in Moldova for a two-day visit

Tomorrow, President Radev will visit Taraclia State University "Grigorii Tsamblak". He will also meet with the Bessarabian Bulgarians in Moldova.

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