site.btaParliament Chair Nazaryan Thanks EP President Roberta Metsola for EU Institutions’ Support for Bulgaria’s Eurozone Accession

National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan expressed gratitude for the support of the European institutions for Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone. She held a one-on-one meeting with European Parliament (EP) President Roberta Metsola before the opening of the EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum, held in Brussels, the Bulgarian Parliament’s press office reported on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian National Assembly played its important role in preparing the introduction of the single European currency in Bulgaria by adopting all necessary legislative acts and decisions, Raya Nazaryan said during her meeting with Metsola. On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria will become the 21st member of the eurozone - a historic moment that will crown the efforts of Bulgarian institutions to achieve this strategic national goal, the National Assembly Chair underlined.

Nazaryan extended an invitation to the EP President to visit Bulgaria. Our citizens need strong European messages and institutional support from the EU, and Bulgaria has made great efforts in recent years to make up for lost ground, the Bulgarian Parliament Chair stressed.

Roberta Metsola noted the good work of Bulgaria’s regular Government, the results it is achieving, and especially the country’s upcoming eurozone membership, which completes its full European integration. She said she gladly accepts the invitation to visit Bulgaria next year and expressed confidence that the visit will contribute to future cooperation and to finding effective European solutions.

Bulgarian institutions are working to ensure a smooth, transparent, and successful transition to the euro, the National Assembly Chair said. Efforts are being made to conduct a broad information campaign on the transition, with special attention to elderly citizens to help ensure a smooth changeover, Nazaryan noted in her discussion with Roberta Metsola. She added that a comprehensive communication campaign is underway to explain the benefits of eurozone membership to citizens while also addressing concerns related to the process.

For Bulgaria, the negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 are of key importance, Nazaryan said. She expressed satisfaction to the EP President with the size of the next MFF proposed by the European Commission. Our shared goal is to reach a balanced agreement that effectively supports our economy and strengthens European competitiveness while maintaining the core of the EU’s traditional policies, the National Assembly Chair stressed.

Traditional EU policies, such as cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and effective border management, must receive adequate funding in the next programming period, and their continued effectiveness must be guaranteed, the Bulgarian Parliament Chair noted. Nazaryan emphasised that it is important to preserve funding for less-developed regions under the cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. Only well-prepared and converged regions can be competitive and contribute to achieving our common political priorities, she added.

Nazaryan stated that defence and competitiveness are emerging as major priorities for the next MFF, and the right balance must be found between these areas and the Union’s traditional policies. Strengthening cooperation and introducing EU-level measures in the fields of defence and security are common goals, she noted.