Burgas mayor Dimitar Nikolov and Moldova's ambassador to Bulgaria, Emil Jacota, have discussed Moldovan investment in the city's industrial zones. They also talked about training young Moldovans at Burgas universities and about joint cultural projects, Burgas council said.
Also at the talks were Stavrin Ginoolu, Moldova's honorary consul for Ruse and northern Bulgaria, who helped arrange the visit, and Viorica Prodan, second secretary at the Moldovan embassy.
Nikolov told the guests about the Burgas economy, the city's strategic location, its transport links and the chances to invest in the industrial zones. The two men spoke about direct ties between Burgas and Moldovan firms and about partnerships in manufacturing.
They also discussed wine, an industry with a long tradition and growth in Moldova. The idea is to sell more Moldovan wine in restaurants and tourism along the Black Sea coast, and so increase trade between the two countries.
On education, the mayor described what Burgas universities offer young people from Moldova. He presented the city as a centre of learning with new degree programmes and a modern student environment. Burgas wants to attract more young people from Moldova, including from the Bulgarian community there.
They also spoke about the Bulgarian community in Moldova and about preserving its national, language and cultural identity. Taraclia, the spiritual and cultural centre of the Bessarabian Bulgarians, was named as a natural bridge between the two countries.
Other topics included Moldova's European prospects, security in the region, and partnership in tourism and culture. The ambassador said relations between Bulgaria and Moldova have long been good and important, and that there is interest in closer cooperation at regional level.
Jacota also visited a themed bus stop near the site of the former 24th Black Sea Infantry Regiment. It is decorated with images from Moldova that show residents and visitors the country's nature, architecture and cultural heritage. The council says the stop is a symbol of friendship between the two peoples.
A children's art exhibition, "We Are Children of Two Homelands", is due to open at Burgas council. The organisers say the works by children from the Bulgarian community in Moldova will show people in Burgas their link with their historic homeland.