Moldova reported an increase in the number of visas issued to Moldovan nationals wishing to visit Bulgaria for 2010

The Bulgarian embassy in Chisinau, Moldova, reported an increase in the number of visas issued to Moldovan nationals wishing to visit Bulgaria. At least 30 000 visas are expected to be issued in Moldova this year, which is a rise of 3000 on 2009, according to the Bulgarian Ambassador to Moldova Georgi Panayotov.

“This year we expect to issue 35 000 visas” Panayotov said. “The consular service works great, because we have a consul with great experience in the form of Georgi Yurdakiev, who helped us eradicate the state of corruption in the consular service, something that was an unfortunate fact prior to his appointment,” Panayotov said.

“Visas are a big problem, because they impede bilateral relations between Moldova and Bulgaria. The visas are a part of the agreement that Bulgaria signed with the EU, but in reality, the most affected are the ethnic Bulgarians from Moldova who apply for visas,” Panayotov sadi.