"With entry into the Eurozone Bulgarian producers will have easier access to European markets, lower trading costs and more trust from foreign partners”. This was what said the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgi Tahov, at the opening of an informational meeting-discussion related to the entry of the single European currency in Bulgaria and its impact on the policy in the field of agriculture, rural areas, forestry and hunting, fisheries and aquaculture. He specified that the currency conversion will facilitate administration and reduce transaction costs in the agricultural sector. In his words, more new opportunities will be created for attracting investments and modernizing farms.

“As the very first payment after January 1, 2026 will be paid in the new currency – the euro, we are currently bringing the procedures for amending the regulatory acts in line with the Law on the Adoption of the Euro in the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Plan for the Adoption of the Euro,” explained Minister Tahov. He also said that every change raises questions and sometimes unfounded fears. “And this is where role of the state comes in to ensure predictability and stability – both for producers and consumers,” he was categorical.

Deputy Minister Dr. Lozana Vasileva, who also participated in the discussion, pointed out that for representatives of the sector, the adoption of a single European currency will facilitate trade, money transfers and will allow equal access to credit within all financial institutions in the euro zone. "The introduction of the euro in our country will not negatively affect the financial resources provided under the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023–2027 and the Programme for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture 2021–2027, since programming, reporting and communication with the European Commission have been carried out entirely in euros till now," noted Dr. Vasileva.

The Executive Director of the State Fund for Agriculture, Iva Ivanova, for her part, said that the introduction of the euro will in no way affect existing contracts concluded in leva or which have references to leva. According to her, there will be no additional administrative burden for these contracts - annexes, additional agreements, etc. She emphasized that the information system currently in use has been developed so that financial information is available in both leva and euro, given the EC requirements for reporting the costs incurred under the European agricultural funds.

"Our goal is the smooth and seamless introduction of the euro from January 1, 2026," said Deputy Minister of Finance Metodi Metodiev. He emphasized that the introduction of the single European currency is a clear and civilizational choice of the state, which is a guarantee of stability, trust and sustainable growth of the economy. Deputy Minister Metodiev informed that currently about 91% of nearly 500 state administrations are ready to adapt their information systems to work with euro.