site.btaBulgaria and Moldova Deepen Ties During Bulgarian Prime Minister Zhelyazkov’s Visit

Bulgaria and Moldova pledged closer cooperation on energy, education, infrastructure, and security during a two-day official visit by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to Chisinau and Taraclia. The visit underscored Sofia’s support for Moldova’s European aspirations and its Bulgarian minority.

Speaking alongside his Moldovan counterpart Dorin Recean, Zhelyazkov emphasized Bulgaria’s commitment to Moldova’s EU membership path and highlighted shared democratic values and security concerns.

“We are not only strong supporters of Moldova’s EU accession—we are partners who have learned the lessons of the process and are ready to share them,” Zhelyazkov said during a joint press conference.

“Bulgaria stands with us on our path to joining the European Union, and I thank them for their consistent support,” Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean told journalists.

Educational and Cultural Focus

A key milestone of the visit was the inauguration of a new branch of Bulgaria’s Ruse University in the southern Moldovan city of Taraclia, home to a large ethnic Bulgarian population. The campus will offer programs in Bulgarian, Romanian, and English, award European-recognized diplomas, and provide scholarships, symbolizing Moldova’s multicultural commitment.

“Together, we are building our European future,” said Prime Minister Recean. “The Bulgarian community has been part of Moldova for over two centuries, and this investment in education is a direct investment in our shared values.”
Zhelyazkov thanked the Moldovan government for supporting the initiative, including funding state-sponsored university slots for students from all ethnic backgrounds. Bulgaria also donated Bulgarian language and literature textbooks.

Energy and Infrastructure Integration

Both countries committed to deeper cooperation in the energy sector. Moldova’s Energocom and Bulgaria’s Bulgartransgaz recently signed a gas transmission agreement, aiming to reduce Moldova’s dependency on Russian energy. The two sides also discussed progress on the Vertical Gas Corridor and plans for the Black Sea Motorway, a key infrastructure project to improve regional connectivity.

Recean said energy diversification was essential for national security, particularly in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine. “Bulgaria is with us not only symbolically but also practically,” he stated, noting joint projects that address energy, logistics, and community development.

Shared Security Concerns and Hybrid Threats

Zhelyazkov warned of an intensified hybrid campaign by Russia targeting Bulgaria’s eurozone ambitions and Moldova’s pro-European stance, including disinformation among the Bulgarian minority in Moldova.

“We have concrete data showing Russian interference,” he said. “Disinformation attacks are also targeting Moldova’s Bulgarian community—especially through language and identity narratives.”

The two countries, both formerly part of the Soviet sphere of influence, remain vulnerable to narratives undermining their sovereignty and EU alignment, Zhelyazkov added.

Recean echoed the concern, noting that Russian efforts to exploit domestic vulnerabilities are ongoing. “Russia uses our problems against us—without respect for Moldovans, Bulgarians, or our right to self-determination,” he said.

Oligarch Case and Rule of Law

The leaders also addressed the arrest in Greece of Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, who was reportedly traveling under a false Bulgarian identity. Zhelyazkov confirmed that Bulgaria is investigating how identity documents were improperly issued in 2004, despite prior security warnings.

Recean said Moldova would seek Plahotniuc’s extradition and promised full prosecution.

“He will be brought back and punished to the full extent of the law,” Recean stated, adding that Moldova would mirror EU sanctions by freezing his assets and bank accounts.

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The visit reinforced Bulgaria’s position as a steadfast ally of Moldova on its path to European integration. Both governments pledged to strengthen ties in education, energy, and democratic resilience, while pushing back against external destabilization efforts.