site.btaBulgaria's Vice President, Moldova's Ambassador Discuss Development of Taraclia District

Bulgaria’s Vice President Iliana Iotova and Moldova’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Emil Jacota discussed the prospects for the development of Moldova’s Taraclia District, populated predominantly by ethnic Bulgarians, the President’s press secretariat said on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the President's Administration in Sofia.

The conversation highlighted the importance of the recently opened Taraclia branch of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse of the Grigoriy Tsamblak Taraclia State University. The transformation of the university has created many new educational opportunities, with more than 260 new students admitted this year. 

Jacota expressed appreciation for the Vice President’s continued engagement with the Bulgarian community in Moldova. Since her first visit to Moldova as Vice President in 2017, Iotova has worked actively to support the development of the higher education institution.

Iotova expressed confidence that the new branch will contribute to revitalizing the Taraclia District, where over 70% of the population is of Bulgarian origin and the Bulgarian community has a history spanning more than 200 years.

The Vice President raised the issue of the upcoming administrative and territorial reform in Moldova, which could threaten the integrity of the Taraclia District. She voiced concern over indications from Moldovan authorities that the reform process may be accelerated. Iotova recalled that during her high-level meetings in Moldova in 2023, she received assurances that the district’s integrity would be preserved to safeguard Bulgarian identity, language, and culture.

The discussion also focused on Moldova’s progress on its path toward European Union membership. Iotova emphasized that one of Europe’s core values is the protection of human rights, including the rights of ethnic communities.