2024-04-12 14:16:46
The government will continue to work hard to prepare our country for joining the Eurozone. This was stated by the acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lyudmila Petkova, the Ministry of Finance announced.
Minister Petkova, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) Valdis Dombrovskis and the European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni signed today in Luxembourg a Partnership Agreement between the EC and Bulgaria for the organization of information and communication campaigns regarding the introduction of the euro in the country.
Minister Petkova noted that this is an important signal for Bulgarian society and our partners, that European institutions support Bulgaria’s path to its full integration.
The document envisages coordinating the efforts of the Bulgarian and European authorities in order to increase public awareness of the functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union, as well as to support the smooth exchange of the leva with the euro. The agreement is based on the updated in February this year. Communication strategy for information and publicity of the country’s accession to the eurozone, which aims to familiarize citizens and businesses with all practical aspects of the introduction of the single European currency as an official means of payment in our country by providing accurate, accessible and timely information.
By signing the Partnership Agreement, the EC agrees to support a series of communication activities to be carried out within the framework of the large-scale national information campaign planned by the Bulgarian institutions, such as public opinion surveys, production of advertising materials and publications, holding conferences and seminars , exhibitions, media campaigns, the aim being to ensure synchronization with the messages that the Eurozone Member States have adopted as useful for countries whose accession is pending.
The partnership between Bulgaria and the EC for an effective communication campaign for the introduction of the euro in our country comes into force from the date of signing the document and will automatically cease to be in force 12 months after the date of introduction of the euro in Bulgaria, unless the two parties agree to extend the deadline, the MoF explains. They also point out that similar agreements have been signed with other countries as part of their preparations for joining the Eurozone.
Minister Petkova stated upon taking office that the main priorities in the work of the Ministry of Finance remain our acceptance into the Eurozone, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the achievement of full Schengen membership. Regarding the process of adopting the euro, she noted that the draft Law on the Euro has been prepared, published for public discussion, then it must be approved by the Council of Ministers and adopted by the Parliament, and the adoption of the by-laws which are related to the euro.