site.btaChancellor Scholz: Germany Wants Bulgaria in Eurozone and Land-border Schengen

Bulgaria can rely on Germany's support for its accession to the euro area and the lifting of Schengen land borders, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meeting with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov in Brussels. Denkov also had a one-on-one talk with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who also said that Bulgaria could count on Finland’s vote for the euro area and Schengen, said the government information service on Thursday.

Prime Minister Denkov briefed the partners on Bulgaria’s fiscal state, the low external debt and the low deficit. "We expect inflation to be within the Maastricht rules by the end of the year. We are working towards the date of January 1 2025," Denkov said.

Within the framework of the European Council in Brussels, Prime Minister Denkov discussed Bulgaria's priorities with the heads of state from Renew Europe. The prime ministers of the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia and Estonia - Mark Rutte, Alexander De Croo, Robert Golob and Kaja Kallas, also gave their support for Bulgaria's entry into the euro area and the removal of the Schengen land borders.

Referring to the agreement reached in the Council on support for Ukraine, Denkov expressed satisfaction with the final result. "It is good to be united. There were no disagreements on the important issues," the Prime Minister said, highlighting the contribution of European Council President Charles Michel.