site.btaDeputy PM Petkova Discusses Recovery and Resilience Plan with EU Economy Commissioner Gentiloni

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova held a meeting with EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni before the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, Petkova's Ministry said. The two discussed Bulgaria's progress with the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as the government's proposals for revision in the plan and the REPowerEU chapter.

During the meeting it became clear that the European Commission will soon restart the period of assessment of the reform and investments ahead of the second payment under the Plan and that Bulgaria can no longer delay the political decision on needed Plan amendments. Petkova pointed out that the caretaker government will take action to ensure that the amendments are discussed and approved by the National Assembly.

The preparation of the medium-term fiscal plan and the draft budget for 2025 were also discussed during the meeting. Petkova informed Commissioner Gentiloni that the main policies, socio-economic development guidelines and reforms for the 2025-2028 period, as well as the parameters of the 2025 budget, will be discussed as soon as possible with the political parties. She informed him that the 2025 draft budget will have a deficit of up to 3% of GDP. The Commissioner stressed that it was important not only to meet the convergence criteria, but also to preserve the country's financial sustainability in the medium term, in light of Bulgaria's eventual accession to the euro area.