Entering the eurozone is a victory for Bulgarian citizens and the Bulgarian state. This was commented on in "The Day Begins with Georgi Lyubenov" by Lilyana Pavlova - former Minister of Regional Development and former Vice President of the European Investment Bank.
"This is a long-awaited act and I hope that we will complete our full integration into the core of the EU - something we have been working and dreaming about for 20 years. Currently, this process is more important than ever from the point of view of geopolitical development, turbulence and crises. This is an opportunity to position Bulgaria where it needs to be - in the heart of Europe.
In her words, we all "made this decision together with our request to join the EU". She criticized politicians who play on people's fears and commented that if they are honest, they should not seek division, but unification.
"People's concerns are justified - the euro is not a panacea, nor a magic wand, but it is not a revolution either. The ECB reports are objective, accurate and clear. They say - you are ready, you have been accepted into the Premier League. However, Bulgaria must follow its strict fiscal policy, make reforms. We must unite to benefit from the benefits. Fear is not a strategy".
According to Pavlova, the creation of a law against speculation enters the realm of populism and preparation for elections.
"I believe that the mobilization of the government and control bodies is good. Their role is to prevent abuses. Abuses exist even without the euro, but it is probably a good excuse".
Europe needs to wake up and think about how to secure its supply chains, to bring back part of its production so that it is not dependent on external factors, Lilyana Pavlova also pointed out.
"According to former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Europe needs to mobilize very quickly, because in times of peace it is perceived that the economy simply works. Bureaucracy needs to be reduced. If we want to attract private capital, Europe needs to be much more flexible, he says".