site.btaFirst Stamp for 2026 Validated to Mark Bulgaria's Eurozone Entry

Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov and outgoing Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova validated the first postage stamp for 2026 during a ceremony at the Ministry of Transport and Communications here on Wednesday. The stamp is entitled "Bulgaria in the eurozone".

Karadjov said that while the stamp has a face value of EUR 1 and is small in size, it is of great historical significance, as it marks a new stage in the country's development. He thanked Petkova for her efforts in managing public finances during a difficult period, during which she was able to control the inflation and reduce the budget deficit. He added that joining the eurozone was a long-standing dream for Bulgarian citizens.

The Minister praised artist Nenko Atanasov for the design of the stamp, which depicts a lion wearing a crown. The design is reminiscent of the earliest Bulgarian stamps, which also depicted a crowned lion as a symbol of statehood.

Petkova said that Bulgaria's admission to the eurozone is a long-awaited dream for generations of Bulgarians. In her words, the country is taking its rightful place among the member states and completing the process of full integration into the European Union.

Petkova listed some of the benefits associated with the euro adoption, which include greater economic and financial stability, more investment, economic growth, higher incomes, and easier payments for the public and businesses. She said that the process of introducing the euro is running smoothly. She called on the public and businesses to take advantage of the benefits of Bulgaria's membership in the eurozone.