Antonio Koсha: Everyone is impressed by Bulgaria’s significant progress in meeting the requirements for the Eurozone

SOFIA – Everyone is impressed by the significant progress made by Bulgaria in meeting the various criteria for joining the eurozone. This was stated by the President of the European Council Antonio Costa at a briefing in Sofia after a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

Costa stated that his three-day visit to Bulgaria comes at an important moment – after the country joined Schengen and in the ongoing process of adopting the euro. We expect the last two assessment reports in June – from the European Commission and the European Central Bank, Costa pointed out. I hope that the assessment will be positive, and if so, we will be able to make a positive decision in the European Council and then a final decision from the European Parliament, he added.

Bulgaria will continue to be a constructive, predictable, and reliable partner in achieving the common goals and priorities of the European Union, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov after the meeting with the President of the European Council. Zhelyazkov noted that Costa’s first visit to Bulgaria coincides with the 20th anniversary of the signing of the treaty for the country’s accession to the European Union. Today, as the European Union faces new geopolitical and economic challenges, it is extremely important to maintain our unity and speak with one voice, Zhelyazkov added.

Costa also met with President Rumen Radev. The unprecedented dynamics in geopolitical processes require us to decisively rethink security issues, to build adequate defense capabilities, and to overcome fragmentation in the European defense industry, Radev said. According to him, this dynamics requires the European Union to be more active, to establish itself as a guarantor of peace and security not only on our continent but also globally. Therefore, achieving strategic autonomy should be a recognized goal for every member state, which means a strong competitive European economy, the Bulgarian president added.

Costa noted that all EU countries are striving to manage inflation. He clarified that he will stay in Bulgaria for a few days, as European institutions need to be close to people, companies, and businesses. Bulgaria recently joined Schengen and is doing very well, Costa noted. He pointed out that the two main priorities for Europe are competitiveness and defense. They are extremely closely interconnected, he further added.

Antonio Costa is visiting Bulgaria from April 27 to 29, the European Council reported. Prime Minister Zhelyazkov accompanied the guest today to one of the largest Bulgarian military enterprises – “Arsenal,” to familiarize him with the opportunities for the development of Bulgarian defense production. The development of enterprises like “Arsenal” contributes to strengthening Bulgaria’s defense capacity and establishing it as an active partner within the European Union, the government statement said. Special attention was given to the opportunities that the new European industrial defense strategy and upcoming funding programs open for the Bulgarian industry. The modern approach to developing the defense sector includes not only expanding production capacity but also promoting innovation and creating sustainable supply chains in cooperation with our European partners, the statement added.

Zhelyazkov and Costa will also be in Stara Zagora, where they will review a project contributing to the common efforts in support of innovation and building a greener and more technological continent. The President of the European Council will also be briefed on projects from the Institute of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology INSAIT in Sofia. (April 27)