I See Great Potential In Development Of Relations Between Moldova and Bulgaria

Mr. Evgheny Ecov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Moldova, kindly agreed to answer several questions put to him by Welcome magazine.

Welcome: What are, in your opinion, the main directions of cooperation between Moldova and Bulgaria at the time when both countries are overcoming similar stages of development of the national economy – transition to a market economy, development and strengthening of private property and free trade principles. What is being done to speed up bilateral cooperation in the framework of an accelerated integration into the world economic community?

A: First of all, the tourist industry is one of the most important ones. At the moment Moldovan-Bulgarian relations have found, as the saying goes, their feet thanks to tourism exchange organized by tourist agencies. Appropriate organizations and state structures should make an exchange of information and leading experts and open information services in the domain of tourism. Also, it is important to attract investments and set up joint ventures in the tourist industry.

No less important is our cooperation in the domain of transportation and communication. Recently Moldova and Bulgaria have exchanged opinions on road, air and railway traffic. An appropriate committee made a decision about opening railway and air traffic between Moldova and Bulgaria.

In this context, I would also single out our cooperation in the domain of agriculture. The two parties have informed each other about deep transformations in the agricultural complex, restoration of private property in land and certain modifications in laws and normative acts dealing with agricultural issues.

Ahead of anything else I would like to emphasize our cooperation in the energy complex. Moldova and Bulgaria have exchanged opinions on using 400 kV energy transmission lines Vulcanesti (Moldova) – Dobrudja (Bulgaria) to transit electrical energy from the Republic of Moldova to the Balkan countries with the participation of the Bulgarian energy system.

I see great potential in the development of our relations.

A recent official visit of Bulgarian President George Pyrvanov to Moldova had a considerable political and social impact on both countries. What are, in your opinion, the prospects of further development of economic and cultural ties between Moldova and Bulgaria?

Undoubtedly, an official visit of the President of Bulgaria George Pyrvanov on the invitation of his counterpart, President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin, which took place in the middle of January this year, gave an impulse to further extension of economic and cultural cooperation between our countries. For example, a rapid development in the production sphere can be observed even now. Soon after the visit of the Bulgarian President to Moldova a joint meeting of the group of experts in the military industry took place. In the course of the meeting a protocol of intentions was signed and the ways of cooperation in military industry were determined. Moreover, an intergovernmental agreement on opening a university for the Bulgarian community residing in Moldova is being worked out. The Government of the Republic of Moldova adopted a Draft Law On the Ratification of the Quadrilateral Agreement on Nuclear Materials Transportation from Bulgaria to the Russian Federation through the territory of Moldova.

Are there, in your opinion, any similar features in the history of our peoples and their destinies?

Moldova and Bulgaria have deep roots in the history and culture. As a start we can consider the spread from Bulgaria to Moldova of the Christian religion and culture, as they are perceived in Eastern Europe. These historical ties created a solid foundation for a further development and consolidation of our relations and resulted in the recognition of Moldova’s independence by the Republic of Bulgaria 11 years ago and establishment of diplomatic relations between Moldova and Bulgaria. It is an indisputable fact that the special nature of our cooperation contributes to the development of bilateral relations on the international arena. The regional cooperation between Chisinau and Sofia plays a leading role in our partnership. Also, no less important is the fact that the Republic of Bulgaria expects to become a member state of the European Union in 2007 and may obtain membership in NATO in 2004.

For the last two years considerable investments in Moldova have been made by the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Italy. At the same time Central and Eastern European states including Bulgaria show an interest in investing in Moldova. What is the level of investment cooperation between both countries?

The cooperation on the investment level is crucially important for our countries. Unfortunately, we cannot say that it is at a high level now. From my point of view investment cooperation between Moldova and Bulgaria can be boosted to new heights if business entities of both countries use the possibilities offered by free economic and industrial zones.

Bulgaria celebrates the Day of Liberation on March 3. It must be a very important date on the calendar of a citizen of Bulgaria. Could you please tell our readers about this Bulgarian national holiday? How is the Day of Liberation celebrated in the country?

Each state has significant periods of history, which determine not only new epochs of the state’s development but also give power to build a new life. March 3 definitely is a very important date in Bulgarian history when 125 years ago the Saint-Stephen Peace Treaty was signed and gave a new life to the Bulgarians. The liberation of Bulgaria was a direct result of the Russian brilliant victory in the Russian-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878. But we should remember that the suppression of the 1876 heroic uprising led to the beginning of the 1877-1878 war and was a peak of the Bulgarian National Liberation War.

Every year the Bulgarians celebrate the Liberation Day by holding different events in the capital and large cities as well as in small localities of the country contributing to the preservation of our own historical heritage and cultural identity.

Both Bulgaria and Moldova have similar features in how their population meets the arrival of spring. They present each other the so-called symbols of spring – the martenicika in Bulgaria and the martisor in Moldova. Are there, in your opinion, any other similar features in how our people celebrate their national holidays?

The tradition you have mentioned is interpreted differently in historical chronicles. I share an opinion that it is related to the common Frakian inheritance which the Bulgarian and Moldovan populations have preserved. There are definitely a lot of similar features in how we celebrate our national holidays. The deeds of our ancestors, which helped us retain our independence and sovereignty, are of historic importance both for Moldova and Bulgaria.

Could you say just a few words about yourself, please? What are some of the things that you love most about your country, what makes it different from all other places in the world?

I belong to the generation, which has a historical chance to live and work under transition period. At the very beginning of the transition period I got involved into the political and social life of the Republic of Bulgaria as many of my contemporaries. I was at the head of the oldest patriotic organization of Bulgaria. Also I was in charge of the Analysis and Forecast Department with the Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. Since September 2001 I have been serving as the Bulgarian Ambassador to Moldova. The major thing that I love most about my country is its ability to survive in spite of all difficulties. We have managed to retain enough stamina and desire to change things radically.

Mr. Ambassador, do you have anything to wish Welcome magazine and its readers?

First of all I would like to express my gratitude to Welcome magazine for giving me a chance to share some of my thoughts about the past and present-day state of relations between Moldova and Bulgaria, and the prospects of development of bilateral ties. I wish Welcome magazine and its readers to continue being objective about diplomatic life in the Republic of Moldova. I also wish you much success.

Prepared by Vlada Popushoi