Moldovan PM meets Bulgarian counterpart in Sofia

The consolidation of the Moldovan-Bulgarian cooperation, political dialogue and the advancement of Moldova’s European path today were discussed by Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu and PM of Bulgaria Rumen Radev. The two officials met on the sidelines of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit, held in Sofia.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu expressed appreciation for Bulgaria’s constant support for the country’s European agenda and emphasized the importance of maintaining this backing, as Moldova advances towards opening accession negotiations across all clusters. “Moldova and Bulgaria are bound by a close friendship, a constructive partnership and a shared interest in a stable, secure, and prosperous Black Sea region. We count on Bulgaria’s continued support in our European integration process and we aim to strengthen cooperation in fields of interest for our countries,” said Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

A distinct topic of the discussions was the Bulgarian community of Moldova, which serves as a bridge between the two states and contributes to the country’s cultural diversity. The Moldovan prime minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Chisinau authorities to protect the linguistic and cultural identity of the Bulgarian minority, including in the context of the public administration reform. The sides also highlighted the importance of further developing the Taraclia branch of the Angel Kanchev University, as a project with impact on regional development and on the opportunities provided to young people.

Prime Minister Munteanu thanked Bulgaria for the projects implemented in  Moldova, particularly in education, infrastructure, energy efficiency and local development. The support offered by Bulgaria exceeded 600,000 euros for the period 2024–2025.

The two prime ministers also addressed cooperation in the field of energy security. The Moldovan PM praised Bulgaria’s role in the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative, which contributes to diversifying energy supply sources. Moldova is interested in deepening cooperation in the areas of natural gas supply, storage and regional energy connectivity, including in the context of the expansion of Bulgargaz’s activities in the country.

At the same time, the officials exchanged opinions on the security situation in the wider Black Sea region, which continues to be affected by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Moldova and Bulgaria confirmed their shared interest in strengthening regional resilience, connectivity, economic security and cooperation with European partners.