Taraclia

The Moldovan district of Taraclia, populated mainly by Bulgarians, will preserve its integrity, which will guarantee the rights of the Bulgarian community there. Vice President Iliana Yotova received this assurance from the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grosu. The Vice President is visiting Chisinau today.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov held a video conference with the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu. Prime Minister Petkov confirmed Bulgaria's support for the country's European perspective, which he will express at the forthcoming European Council. He welcomed President Sandu's strong commitment to leading Moldova on its European path and on the path of reform.

President Rumen Radev has been reassured by his Moldovan counterpart, Igor Dodon, that the territorial-administrative reform undertaken by Moldova would not affect the status and integrity of Taraclia district populated by ethnic Bulgarians, said the presidential press office.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva has arrived on a two-day working visit to Chisinau, Moldova.

Today, Minister Zaharieva is meeting with Moldova's Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Galbur.

On 31 October the two will open a Bulgarian consular office in the town of Taraclia.

President Rossen Plevneliev confirmed Bulgaria's constant support for the European integration of Moldova.

The outgoing Presidents of Bulgaria and Moldova are set to meet in Chisinau on Tuesday, the head of state's press office has said.

Issues of the European and international agenda, cooperation in the field of EU integration, and bilateral trade exchange will be on the agenda.

Between 100 and 200 people are applying on a daily basis for certificates proving their Bulgarian descent.

This was revealed by Ivanka Slavcheva, a chief expert at the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, at the opening of the sixth session of the world parliament of Bulgarians.

Bulgaria and the United Nations have signed the agreement on a development project in Taraclia, a city and adjacent region in Moldova with a predominant ethnic Bulgarian population.

Sofia's Embassy to Chisinau has provided EUR 275 000 to help improve water supply in the region, local news outlets report.

The Parliament in Chisinau will discuss on Friday a draft bill granting a status of a 'national-cultural region' to Taraclia, an area in southwestern Moldova with predominantly ethnic Bulgarian population, BGNES reported.

Taraclia is home to more than 30,000 ethnic Bulgarians - the largest ethnic Bulgarian community in Moldova.