site.btaBulgarian Parliament Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Romanian Chamber of Deputies

Bulgarian Parliament Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with Romanian Chamber of Deputies

Sofia, April 6 (BTA) - Bulgaria's National Assembly Chairperson Tsetska Tsacheva and Romania's Chamber of Deputies President Valeriu Zgonea signed a memorandum of cooperation on Wednesday. Tsacheva told a subsequent news briefing that the memorandum is aimed to boost bilateral parliamentary relations at all levels: parliament leadership, standing committees and friendship groups.

The sides reaffirmed the good neighbourly relations between Bulgaria and Romania, Tsacheva said. The talks focused on economic ties, transport and energy connectivity, and opportunities arising from the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and other cross-border cooperation projects.

As EU member states, Bulgaria and Romania are working for the European prospects of the other countries of Southeastern Europe, Tsacheva said.

Zgonea noted that Wednesday's memorandum brings Romania's warm friendship with Bulgaria to a new phase. He and his host discussed joint projects not only at the parliamentary level but also at the level of executive government. "We share similar priorities and goals," Zgonea said, stressing the importance of regional cooperation. He said the meeting also looked at matters concerning the Bulgarian community in Romania and the Romanian community in Bulgaria.

According to Zgonea, the problems associated with the migratory flow should be addressed in a way which does not affect the security and prosperity of the two countries. "At the same time, we should do everything possible to combat terrorism and all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia," he said, adding that the dialogue between the Romanian and Bulgarian parliaments in this process is very important.

Zgonea and a Romanian parliamentary delegation led by him were paying an official visit to Bulgaria at Tsacheva's invitation. The guests were welcomed by the Bulgarian lawmakers in the debating chamber of the National Assembly.