Rosen Zhelyazkov from Strasbourg: Within a month we will have a prepared budget for 2025 and will submit it to the National Assembly

"Many challenges lie ahead. They are the subject of our meetings today and tomorrow. We had a meeting with the Bulgarian delegation. The reception was warm and we discussed many practical issues related to the close cooperation between the Bulgarian institutions and the Bulgarian delegation and, of course, the European institutions. Serious work lies ahead on both the Bulgarian and the European budgets and the multiannual financial frameworks. Because we all understand that issues related to competitiveness, stability, sustainability of public finances and policies cannot be postponed." This was stated by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, who is on a two-day visit to Strasbourg.

On site at the European Parliament, he met with EP President Roberta Metsola. According to her, Bulgaria is one step away from adopting the euro as the main currency and supports the efforts of our country in this direction. Just like Schengen, the euro is an indispensable part of the daily life of European Union citizens, added Roberta Metsola. According to her, it is the European single currency that can improve the business environment and allow people to compare the prices of goods and services throughout the EU.

"The main goal and theme of Bulgarian politics in the coming months will be the protection of the budget, which will guarantee stable public finances so that all policies can. By going through the protection of the process of absorbing funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, accelerating the projects under it... We are talking about energy security and energy connectivity, because all the social measures that are ahead go through stable public finances," Zhelyazkov was categorical. According to him, energy security and energy connectivity are extremely important for business.

"You know that today the Joint Management Council took the necessary decisions in this direction. Within a month, we will have submitted both a draft of the State Budget Act and a program, and if we gain trust, we will try to convince our European partners within this year of Bulgaria's ability to manage its personal finances well and to be not a problem, but an advantage for the eurozone," Zhelyazkov explained to the media.

A little earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also met with Bulgarian MEPs. Strengthening European unity, the common market, energy security and common defense security were discussed at the meeting. Bulgaria must return to the center of political processes in Europe, the Prime Minister also pointed out, the government press center reported. During the conversation, the topics of Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone and the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan were also discussed.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov noted that his current visit to Strasbourg, which is also the Prime Minister's first visit abroad, aims to reinforce with practical actions Bulgaria's clear belonging to the European family. The will to achieve results can guarantee the success of our country, Zhelyazkov was categorical.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister's meetings continue tomorrow, with a meeting planned with the President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa.