site.btaParliament Chair Kiselova Confers with European Parliament President Metsola

Bulgaria’s National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova has conferred with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola during the Conference of Speakers of European Union Parliaments in Budapest, the Parliament’s press service said on Monday. 

Bulgaria has come a long way, not without challenges. Significant efforts have been made to fulfill commitments related to adopting the common European currency, Kiselova said. That is why, the government and the central bank have requested ad hoc convergence reports on Bulgaria from the European Commission and the European Central Bank. These reports are expected to confirm in June that this country meets the criteria for joining the euro area, she added.

"After years of political instability and a series of caretaker governments, Bulgaria fell behind in its campaign to inform the public about the introduction of the euro. The result is clear: political populism has fueled anxiety, uncertainty, and concerns among Bulgarians about the necessity of adopting the euro as the country's main currency," Kiselova said. "This is the final but crucial step for the full European integration of our country," the National Assembly Chair noted. "However, it is we, the representatives of the political forces in Parliament - those elected by the will of the people and entrusted with their trust - who must allay their fears and convince them of the better prospects for the country's development, for businesses, attracting investments, raising incomes, and improving working conditions," Kiselova said.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that Bulgaria can rely on the support of European institutions for adopting the euro. It is up to national policies to promote participation in the single currency union in a way that reassures citizens this is a step in the right direction, she added.

"Bulgaria and its citizens made the decision to join the European Union over 30 years ago, and this is a choice that is not to be questioned," the National Assembly Chair said.