Doha: Bulgaria's journey towards adopting the euro reached a significant milestone as the finance ministers of European Union member states gave their final approval for the country to make the switch. Starting January 2026, Bulgaria is set to become the 21st member of the eurozone, marking a crucial step in its economic integration with the EU.

According to Qatar News Agency, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov expressed his enthusiasm on X, stating, "We did it!" He highlighted this development as a landmark moment for Bulgaria. EU Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis also shared his thoughts on X, noting that Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone will bring new opportunities, investment, jobs, and growth, emphasizing its significance in building a brighter future for Bulgaria within Europe.

This decision follows an analysis by the European Commission, which confirmed that Bulgaria has met the necessary criteria for adopting the single currency. These criteria include economic standards such as price stability, sound public finances, currency stability of the Bulgarian Lev, and interest rates that align with those of other EU countries.