Our country will not accept the euro from January 1 next year, announced Finance Minister Rositsa Velkova during a briefing. According to her, the official cabinet has intensified the talks with the European Commission and the member countries of the Eurozone. Groups were formed between the Ministry of Finance and the European Commission. The work of all interdepartmental groups has accelerated.
On December 6, a memorandum was signed to start the production of the euro coins, as well as the communication strategy was prepared.
“A concept for the Euro Law has been prepared. A nationally representative survey of public attitudes was also prepared. Draft laws regarding Bulgaria’s commitments in the country’s accession to the Currency Mechanism II were also developed. A number of meetings were held with the ambassadors of the Eurozone member countries in Bulgaria”, Minister Velkova reported, adding:
“On February 13, 2023, there was no Eurogroup hearing, as our European partners believe that we have a backlog in the legislative part related to the adoption of the necessary bills. These are the changes in the Insurance Code, Anti-Money Laundering Law. The two bills were submitted to the National Assembly on December 12, 2022. As well as the amendments to the Commercial Law in the field of bankruptcy. It was submitted on 24 October 2022.”
Our country will submit a convergent report when it fulfills its commitments and the draft laws are adopted, which the official cabinet will again submit to the new National Assembly and the necessary amendments to the Law on the Bulgarian National Bank are adopted. According to Velkova, our country must pass four bills and must meet the inflation criterion.
In case we meet the requirements at the end of June or July, we could submit a report, said Minister Velkova. According to her, this means that we could be joined to the Eurozone no later than January 1, 2025.
