site.btaFinance Minister Sees Eurozone Entry as Guarantee for Economic Stability, Growth

Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said that with its admission to the eurozone, Bulgaria has achieved a strategic goal for the country - its full integration into the European Union. During the launch of the national information campaign for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria on Tuesday at the International Congress Center in Burgas, she emphasized that the country's membership in the eurozone is a guarantee for economic and price stability, more investment, economic growth, and higher incomes.

"The euro is a wonderful opportunity to develop our country in the direction that Bulgarian citizens deserve. But it is not a panacea - we will have to make efforts to comply with the rules and make full use of all the advantages that membership gives us," Petkova said. The Finance Minister emphasized that the Government's priority is the smooth and fair introduction of the euro without taking any risks.

According to her, the key to success is for Bulgarian citizens, businesses, and local authorities to receive objective information about each stage of the process. "There has been a lot of speculation lately, and other entities are trying to spread false claims. The truth is that no EU Member State has experienced a decline in living standards or a slowdown in economic growth after joining the eurozone. On the contrary, the trend is the opposite," Petkova said.

She gave the example of Croatia, where tourism has grown significantly since the introduction of the euro. "Our membership in the eurozone brings only benefits to Bulgaria. But in order to take advantage of them, we must be well informed. Our goal is to provide accurate and objective information to Bulgarian citizens," the Finance Minister emphasized.