Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, but not of the Eurozone. However, the country has expressed its aspiration to adopt the euro in 2025.
Is it, when and how will this happen?
To answer these questions, the Association of Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria (AHBC), the Bulgarian CFA Association, and the Association of Banks in Bulgaria (ABB) are organising the conference “Bulgaria in the Eurozone, When?”, dedicated to the key topic of Bulgaria`s accession to the Eurozone, the prospects and the necessary reforms for this to happen. The event will take place on 14 May 2024 from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Sofia Balkan Palace Hotel, Royal Hall.
Topics: The conference will start with an opening speech by the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, and the panel discussions will address key topics from high-level representatives of Eurozone countries, including prime ministers, finance ministers, and chairmen of associations of banks and banking groups. Among those to be discussed:
- The challenges and opportunities for Bulgaria in joining the Eurozone
- Economic and financial prospects after accession.
- The political and social implications of the introduction of the euro as the country`s official currency.
Organisers:
Association of Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria
Bulgarian CFA Association (CFA = Chartered Financial Analyst)
Association of Banks in Bulgaria
Location: Sofia, Hotel “Balkan Palace”
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 09:30 AM – 02:00 PM
Participation is unlimited but requires registration. The invitation can be freely forwarded.
Program:
09:30 – 09:40 OPENING Speakers:
Borislav Boyanov – Chairman of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria
09:40 – 10:10 KEYNOTES
(10’) Dimitar Glavchev, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
(20’) Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank
10:10 – 11:50 PANEL 1:
POLITICAL AND STRATEGIC ASPECTS OF THE MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROZONE Moderator: Nikolay Vassilev – President of the Bulgarian CFA Association; former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy/Transport and Communications/Public Administration and Administrative Reform
Speakers:
Wolfgang Schüssel, Former Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Republic of Austria
Joseph Muscat, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, former Member of the European Parliament
Adrian Năstase, Former Prime Minister of Romania, Minister of Foreign Affairs
11:50 – 11:55
THE VOICE OF THE NEW GENERATION Eleonor Spasova – 19-year-old student at the Sofia Mathematics High School, accepted to the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League)
11:55 – 13:40 PANEL 2:
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF THE MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROZONE Moderator: Petia Dimitrova – Chairman of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria, CEO and Chairperson of the Management Board of Postbank
Speakers:
Lyudmila Petkova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria (TBC)
Petko Nikolov, Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Bulgaria (TBC)
Michalis Sarris, Former Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus, introduced the euro
George Zanias, Former Minister of Finance of Greece, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eurobank SA (Greece)
They expect further confirmations of participation from central bankers and bankers from other European countries, as well as from the new Bulgarian government ministers.