The national information campaign for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria continued with events in Veliko Tarnovo and Smolyan. The forums brought together representatives of local authorities, businesses and citizens who had the opportunity to hear from leading economists, financiers and bankers, and to receive expert answers about the accession process. The Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo Eng. Daniel Panov, the Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova, the member of the Governing Board of the Bulgarian National Bank Iliya Lingorski, the Minister of e-Government Valentin Mundrov, the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov and the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov took part in the discussions. The meeting in Smolyan was hosted by Mayor Nikolay Melemov, and among the participants were Dora Yankova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Atanas Kostadinov – Deputy Minister of Environment and Water, and Rumyana Petkova, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy.
The Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh emphasized that our accession to the eurozone will contribute to the stronger image of Bulgaria on the international stage. “We live in a time when the world is facing multiple crises – climate, military, financial. Countries that are able to unite and seek common solutions succeed. The Eurozone is exactly such a union of developed countries that build strong economies, common markets and a common currency“, he said.
In his speeches, Minister Borshosh pointed out that the “Tourism“ sector is among the most prepared for the transition to the euro, as it has been operating on a European scale for a long time. “For our hoteliers, restaurateurs and tour operators, this transition is expected. The eurozone makes Bulgaria a more visible and safer tourist destination. Membership will not automatically solve all the problems, but it will highlight the advantages of the destination, make business easier and make communication between companies from different countries much more effective“, he also commented.
As an example, the minister pointed to the experience of Croatia, where external factors - the energy crisis and the war - have led to economic difficulties, but membership in the eurozone itself has brought only positive effects. “We should not confuse the propaganda that the problems of individual economies are problems of the eurozone. This is manipulation. The eurozone is a huge advantage not only for tourism, but for all sectors – "a union that protects its members and has weight in the world," said Miroslav Borsos.
The minister emphasized the importance of tourism as a sector that can create sustainable economic prospects in regions where other industries have difficulty developing. According to him, tourism is also a possible answer to the demographic crisis, as it provides jobs, retains young people and gives them a chance to start families and businesses in their native municipalities. He added that the goal is for Bulgaria to build a nation that looks forward, with an economy that can be an example, and joining the eurozone is an important part of this path.