Balgarianovinite.com As Bulgaria formally joined the eurozone on January 1, reactions from experts, government officials and EU representatives at a discussion on the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union held in Sofia on Thursday, underscored the move’s historic significance and strategic importance, even as public backing remains below majority levels.
A Eurobarometer survey cited by PanEuropa Bulgaria’s chair Gergana Passy showed that less than 50% of Bulgarians now support adopting the euro, a situation she attributed in part to a “delayed and inadequate communication campaign”. Passy said the era of broad consensus appears to have ended and that future dialogue efforts must be more focused.
Despite the lukewarm public sentiment, international figures highlighted the historic importance of Bulgaria’s entry into the monetary union. Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Sofia office, described eurozone membership as a milestone for both Bulgaria and Europe, reflecting strong interest from European media and a positive focus on the new currency’s reception and expected performance.
From a governmental perspective, outgoing Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolay Pavlov emphasized that participation in eurozone decision-making, including at the European Central Bank and other financial institutions, will help ensure Bulgaria’s financial stability and prosperity. He said this strategic choice confirms Bulgaria’s place within a united and strong Europe and aligns with broader EU cooperation priorities, particularly in defence and security.
At a related forum on the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council, Cyprus Ambassador Haralambos Kafkarides noted that deepening EU autonomy is central to current EU priorities. He congratulated Bulgaria on its eurozone entry and discussed the need for unity and enhanced capabilities in defence, economic security, and energy connectivity amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.
Highlighting the broader institutional view, Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, said Bulgaria’s accession strengthens the eurozone, increasing the euro’s global weight. She pointed to sociological data showing lower support for the euro now than in other countries when they were adopting the currency, but stressed the broader positive trends seen in existing eurozone states, including improved opportunities and migration patterns. Chobanova also underscored EU priorities of competitiveness, unity and strategic investment in areas such as defence and innovation. Mixed Public Support but Broad Institutional Backing as Bulgaria’s Eurozone Accession Takes Effect 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-01-08 19:53:26 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law