site.btaUPDATED Germany Backs Bulgaria's Eurozone Accession, Says Finance Minister Jorg Kukies

Asked if he expects Bulgaria to adopt the euro in 2026, German Finance Minister Jorg Kukies told BTA that his country continues to support Bulgaria on its path to joining the eurozone. He was approached by BTA at the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, DC.

Kukies said there were some statistical issues related to inflation, adding that he had recently talked with Bulgaria's Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, who was confident that those matters would be resolved. The German Finance Minister also expressed optimism about Bulgaria joining the eurozone in 2026.

Kukies spoke with Petkova in Warsaw where EU Ministers for Economic and Financial Affairs and Central Bank Governors held an informal meeting earlier in April within the framework of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.

Following is the brief interview:

Q: Mr Kukies, Bulgaria in the eurozone next year - yes or no?

A: The terms and conditions are clear and Germany has been supporting the process of Bulgaria. There are some statistical things that need to be fixed on inflation, but I spoke with the Bulgarian Finance Minister [Temenuzhka Petkova] in Warsaw and she was optimistic that Bulgaria will achieve all of the requirements.

Q: Are you optimistic?

A: Yes, if Bulgaria is optimistic, I want to be optimistic as well.