site.btaPresident Radev Meets with New Head of European Commission Representation in Bulgaria

President Rumen Radev Tuesday met with Yordanka Chobanova, the new Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, and congratulated her on taking office in March, the President's press secretariat said.

Radev and Chobanova discussed the expectations for Bulgaria's full Schengen accession by lifting checks at internal land borders after air and sea border controls were lifted on March 31.

The possible disbursement of the second payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the commitments made to this end were also on the agenda. Radev said the only payment so far was made in December 2022 when a caretaker cabinet [appointed by the President] was in office. Bulgaria received EUR 1.37 billion of grants at the time.

Radev and Chobanova also talked about the elements of change in the EU's enlargement policy and the decision-making procedures in the EU Council currently under discussion. They noted the importance of the upcoming European Parliament elections and of an active campaign focused on issues fundamental to the future of European citizens and the Community.