Ensuring a smooth transition to the introduction of the single European currency, successful absorption of funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan and adoption of the state budget for next year will be the main priorities in the work of the National Assembly during the autumn session. This was noted by the Speaker of the Parliament Natalia Kiselova in front of heads of diplomatic missions of European Union member states in Bulgaria.
The Speaker of the National Assembly initiated a working breakfast with representatives of the diplomatic missions and the main topic of the conversation was the priorities in the work of the 51st National Assembly. The ambassadors noted that this was the first such meeting and expressed hope that it would become a traditional exchange of views.
At the moment, all laws related to a smooth transition to the euro have been adopted, this is one of the main priorities of the government and the parties that support it, emphasized Natalia Kiselova. In the coming weeks and months, if there is a need to adopt additional regulations, we will work to adopt them, she added.
The Speaker of the National Assembly indicated that efforts are being made to fully absorb the funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. It is important for us to be able to ensure that all funds allocated to Bulgaria are utilized, stressed Natalia Kiselova.
As the third main priority during the autumn session of the National Assembly, Natalia Kiselova highlighted the timely adoption of the state budget for 2026. This law must find a balance of the commitments of each party in government and a response to the problems that arise and require timely solutions, she noted. As such a problem, Natalia Kiselova pointed to overcoming the difficulties in providing water supply in certain parts of the country.
The National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria is about to host three significant regional forums – The 66th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the 13th Parliamentary Assembly of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process and the forum of parliamentarians from the Danube Strategy countries, the Speaker of the Parliament noted.
Although these three formats are different, we will have common themes and the first of them is ensuring peace and achieving stability in Europe, stressed Natalia Kiselova. The European integration of the Western Balkan countries will also be among the topics raised by Bulgaria, she pointed out and specified that our country wishes the countries from our region to become part of the EU.
An emphasis during the Bulgarian presidencies of the organizations will also be on improving the infrastructure and transport connectivity between the Balkan countries, added Natalia Kiselova. We will try to seek rapprochement not only between the representatives of the governments and parliaments, but also between the people of the Balkans, through these three formats, because they stimulate good relations, she added.
The Bulgarian government and parliamentary majority have no other vision than the European present and future of our country, said the Speaker of the National Assembly. Natalia Kiselova expressed gratitude for the support of the EU member states for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and the Eurozone.
The representatives of the diplomatic corps expressed interest in the steps that will be taken by the National Assembly for the maximum absorption of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, for the readiness of our country to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and for the stability of the government and the majority. Among the topics discussed were the priorities and challenges facing Bulgaria until 2030 and the Bulgarian position regarding the negotiations of the Republic of North Macedonia with the EU.