Dimitar Radev: As a member of the ECB General Council, I am familiar with the process of preparing the convergence report, but the final assessment is yet to be announced

BNB Governor Dimitar Radev indicated that as a member of the European Central Bank (ECB) General Council, which approves the convergence report on Bulgaria's readiness to join the eurozone, he is familiar with the process of preparing the report, but the final assessment is yet to be announced. Radev said this in a flash interview for BTA.

The BNB Governor specified that according to our central bank, Bulgaria is fully prepared for membership in the eurozone, but this readiness must be confirmed by the competent European institutions.

The BNB Governor added that the widespread "quote" that he "is familiar with the convergence reports on the euro in advance" does not correspond to his exact words to the media during the opening of a cash services center in Pleven.

"I appreciate the attention, but these are not my words. I would never express myself in this way, because it would be unprofessional," Radev said, adding that this can be established when listening to the full recording of his words.

He commented that the increased public and political interest is expected given the upcoming important event. According to him, the mood in the BNB is calm and confident, since the institution's actions are in the interest of society.

The full text of the interview follows:

Mr. Radev, for the third day now, your words to journalists in Pleven have been quoted as saying that you are familiar with the convergence reports regarding our admission to the eurozone in advance.

- I appreciate the attention, but these are not my words. I would never express myself in this way, because it would be unprofessional.

How do you explain then that such a quote is being spread in the public domain?

- This is a question to the source of the information. Look, there is a full recording of the event from which this so-called "quote" is taken. What I said can be very easily established.

Yes, but this exact quote gave grounds to the "Vazrazhdane" party to demand that you be heard in parliament and to state that it will file a report with the National Security Agency.

- I do not want to make any connection.

Leaving aside these developments, you must be one of the most informed people in the country on the topic of the convergence reports. Is there already an answer to the question of what the assessment recorded in them is?

- The ECB's convergence report is prepared by the bank's experts and approved by its General Council. Its members are involved in all stages of the report's preparation. And, as you probably know from public information, I am a member of the ECB's General Council.

So you still know this answer that we are all interested in regarding the adoption of the euro?

- No one knows the answer until it is officially announced. I will tell you what I said on the day of the ill-fated quote. We believe that we are completely ready to join the eurozone. However, this is not enough. Our readiness must be confirmed by the competent European institutions.

How do you explain all the excitement on the subject?

- Something big is coming and everyone is overexcited. Things will calm down soon.

What is the mood in the BNB?

- Excellent. We are completely calm and confident in what we are doing because it is in the public interest.