site.btaEuropean Officials Congratulate Bulgaria on Euro Area Accession

The EU Council voted unanimously Tuesday on the latest decisions related to Bulgaria's accession to the euro area on January 1, 2026. This completes the procedure, as earlier in the day the European Parliament also approved by a large majority the report on Bulgaria's introduction of the single European currency.

Following are the reactions to the news in Brussels and Strasbourg, France.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola congratulated Bulgaria and wrote on the social media platform X that "this is another big step forward for the people of Bulgaria and Europe towards a currency that brings security and stability." Speaking at a press conference in Strasbourg, she said the words "the euro is stability" in Bulgarian.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde wrote on the social media platform X: “Congratulations to Bulgaria and congratulations to the Bulgarians. You are now reaching this final moment when you are a member of the euro area and when you will start using the euro as of January 1. I know it’s been hard work, and it has taken a while, but you are there now, and we are delighted to welcome you in the circle of the euro area. Welcome!”

European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis said that both Bulgaria and the eurozone will become stronger thanks to Bulgaria's membership. Quoted by the European Commission, Dombrovskis praised the Bulgarian authorities and Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova in particular for achieving a positive outcome. He noted Bulgaria's need to keep pressing ahead with reforms and addressed the fears of some Bulgarians that changing the currency will lead to price spikes.

The finance ministers of Austria, Cyprus, Slovakia, Malta, Luxembourg, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, Slovenia, Denmark, and Croatia recorded congratulations for Bulgaria and all Bulgarian citizens. The EU ministers noted the road travelled by Bulgaria and their confidence in the fruitful cooperation with Bulgaria within the eurozone.