site.btaDeputy PM Zafirov, French Ambassador Discuss Deepening Bilateral Cooperation

Bulgaria and France see opportunities to deepen their cooperation in defence, Black Sea security and the development of civilian nuclear energy. This transpired at a meeting between Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov and French Ambassador to Bulgaria Marie Dumoulin, the Government Information Service reported on Friday.

Both sides highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and the positive role played by Francophonie in strengthening those ties. Zafirov voiced hope that an updated Roadmap of the Bulgarian-French Strategic Partnership would soon be endorsed and adopted. Dumoulin said she expected the roadmap’s signing to give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation. According to her, the key areas for expansion include EU-level defence collaboration, Black Sea security, and the development of nuclear energy for civilian purposes – fields in which France can offer full support to Bulgaria.

Zafirov thanked France for its consistent backing of Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen and the euro area, adding that Bulgaria also relies on French support for its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He also expressed gratitude for France’s support to Bulgarian weekend schools operating there, 12 in total, funded by Bulgaria’s Education and Science Ministry, and for the care provided by French authorities. According to Foreign Ministry data, between 80,000 and 100,000 Bulgarians reside in France.

The Deputy Prime Minister briefed Ambassador Dumoulin on Bulgaria’s current political situation, which risks delaying the adoption of the 2026 state budget, the country’s first budget in euro. He noted that one of the strategic goals of the current coalition government is Bulgaria’s accession to the euro area and the completion of the country’s European integration.

Ambassador Dumoulin voiced hope that Bulgaria would adopt the budget in time to secure the best possible entry into the eurozone, the press release further said.