site.btaPM Briefs EU Ambassadors, EC on Snap Election Preparations

Caretaker Prime Minister Galab Donev held a working meeting with Ambassadors from the EU Member States and a delegation from the European Commission (EC) in Sofia's Boyana Residence on Thursday to highlight the consistent actions of his cabinet in organizing fair and transparent elections in October, and in effectively managing the executive branch. Donev confirmed that Bulgaria's top priority continues to be accession to Schengen and the eurozone and expressed his expectation that progress will be made in this regard in the coming months.

The meeting was also attended by caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Bulgaria already met the Schengen accession criteria in 2011. The country is ready to receive a team of experts coordinated by the EC to confirm the extent of implementation of the Schengen acquis in September.

Regarding the preparations for the adoption of the euro here, Donev said that the implementation of the national plan from earlier this year continues, with the target date still being January 1, 2024.

Donev expressed gratitude for Bulgaria's partners who showed support for this country's process of obtaining an invitation to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The Prime Minister said that the caretaker government is working hard on an Initial Memorandum, the goal being to have one drawn by the end of September.

The tense international situation, including the war in Ukraine, were also on the agenda.