Bulgarian citizens should not worry about their money in levs - they will be able to exchange them at any time, without restrictions.
This was assured by Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova to bTV, quoted by news.bg.
She stressed that no one is obliging them to do it immediately, and the process will be smooth and well-informed.
"The euro is the second most used currency in the world, behind which stands an economy worth 17 trillion euros per year - this is the GDP of the European economy," the minister pointed out and added that over 100 events are planned within the framework of the campaign to popularize the euro. According to her, the initiative could not have been launched before the publication of the two convergence reports of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission (EC), which took place on June 4.
Petkova was categorical that the state will closely monitor any attempts to unjustifiably increase prices in connection with the upcoming introduction of the euro.
According to her, all traders who take advantage of the situation and violate the rules will be subject to inspections and sanctions according to the law.
The Finance Minister also commented on President Rumen Radev's statements on the subject of the contract with the Turkish state company "Botaş". According to her, the terms of it are disadvantageous for Bulgaria and at the moment there is no economic logic for it to be used.
"Let President Radev find a client who will buy natural gas under the terms of the contract with "Botaş" - then we will use it. But there is no such client. "The gas is too expensive, and the state has to pay between 4 and 6 billion leva for something it cannot use," said Petkova.
She recalled that the contract in question was concluded during a caretaker cabinet appointed by the head of state, and indicated that the government is currently trying to terminate it due to the unfavorable parameters.
Regarding Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov's order to inspect the business activities associated with Hristo Kovachki, Minister Petkova announced that the Ministry of Finance, through the National Revenue Agency, has initiated action on the case. The results will be summarized and presented when the inspections are completed.