Today the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) and the Economic and Social Council (ESC) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The document was signed during an official ceremony at the Central Bank by the BNB Governor Mr. Dimitar Radev and the ESC President Ms. Zornitsa Rusinova.

The signing was attended by the BNB Deputy Governors Petar Chobanov and Radoslav Milenkov and the ESC Vice-Presidents Plamen Dimitrov, KNSB President, and Bogomil Nikolov, CEO of the Bulgarian National Consumer Association, and as a representative of Employers group in the ESC – Rumen Radev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA).

“The signing of this Memorandum on Europe Day, 9 May, is significant of its objectives, namely: two reputable institutions in Bulgaria intend to develop their partnership in the process of Bulgaria's accession to the euro area”, said BNB Governor Dimitar Radev. “We consider the ESC as the broadest platform of employers, trade unions and consumer organisations in this country, with which we are cooperating for the successful introduction of the euro. Our common understanding is that this is not only a monetary reform, but a process with deep and long-term economic, social and political dimensions that will accelerate the modernisation of the country and will improve people’s well-being”, Dimitar Radev pointed out.

“Тhis Memorandum is extremely important for us. We have signed it with one of the main participants in the euro adoption process, the BNB, the successful cooperation with which has been proven over time. We will rely on the BNB’s expertise for many of the initiatives that we will organise as part of the communication activities for joining the euro area. I believe that this cooperation will benefit the Bulgarian citizens and will provide much more clarity on all the questions asked and, of course, will be a good basis for its further development”, said ESC President Zornitsa Rusinova.

Following the official signing ceremony, the ESC and the BNB management considered future initiatives, such as today's discussion organised for the Europe Day, 9 May, on the topic "What will be the impact of Bulgaria's entry into the euro area on young people?", with a focus on education, income and job opportunities.