site.btaUPDATED EU Diplomatic Mission Heads Familiarized with Parliament's Priorities

National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova on Tuesday hosted a working breakfast for heads of diplomatic missions of EU Member States accredited to Bulgaria, the Parliamentary centre reported. "In the complicated geopolitical reality, this country is a constructive, predictable and reliable partner in attaining the objectives of the European Union," Kiselova told her guests. She emphasized that Bulgaria is endeavouring to deepen cooperation on key issues with the EU countries and highlighted the importance of parliamentary contacts.

Kiselova noted further that she is highly appreciative of the opportunity to brief the ambassadors of the legislature's agenda and to exchange views with them on topics of importance for the EU. She stressed that Bulgaria shares with the diplomats' countries common fundamental values: freedom, equality, justice and respect for human dignity, and maintains vigorous contacts with them at all levels.

The ambassadors noted that this is the first meeting of its kind and expressed the hope that it will set the beginning of a traditional exchange of views.

Kiselova specified that during its autumn session, the legislature will ensure a smooth transition for the introduction of the euro, the successful absorption of payments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), and the adoption of the 2026 State Budget Act.

All laws related to a seamless euro changeover, and this is among the top priorities of the Government and the pro-government parties, the head of Parliament emphasized. "In the coming weeks and months, if additional provisions need to be passed, we will work to adopt them," she added.

She pointed out that efforts are being made for the full-fledged absorption of the RRP payments. "We attach importance to succeeding in the absorption of all funds allocated for Bulgaria," Kiselova specified.

As a third key priority during Parliament's autumn session, she singled out the timely adoption of the 2026 state budget. "This law must balance the commitments of each party in government and addressing the issues that arise and require a prompt solution," she explained. As one such problem, Kiselova pointed to overcoming difficulties with water supply in certain parts of the country.

The National Assembly will be hosting shortly three significant regional forums: the 66th Autumn Session of the General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the 13th South-East European Cooperation Process Parliamentary Assembly, and a forum of parliamentarians of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region countries, Kiselova announced. 

"Even though these are different formats, we will have common topics, and the first of them is ensuring peace and achieving stability in Europe," the head of Parliament pointed out. "The European integration of the Western Balkans will also be among the subjects raised by Bulgaria," she added, specifying that this country would like to see the states of the region become part of the EU.

The Bulgarian chairmanships of the organizations will highlight, among other things, an improvement of infrastructure and transport connectivity among the Balkan countries, Kiselova added. "Through these three formats, we will try to seek an increased closeness not only among members of the executive and legislative branches but also among people in Balkans, because they promote good relations," she added.

"The Bulgarian Government and the parliamentary majority do not have a vision other than this country's European present and future," the National Assembly Chair said. She thanked the EU Member States for backing Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area and the eurozone. 

The members of the diplomatic corps showed interest in the steps that Bulgaria's legislature will take to maximize the absorption of RRP funding, this country's readiness to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the stability of the government and the majority. The priorities and challenges facing Bulgaria in the period until 2030 and the Bulgarian position on the negotiations between North Macedonia and the EU were also discussed at the working breakfast.