Dimitar Radev: Opening remarks - press conference with Christine Lagarde
Central bank: ecb | Type: speech | Date: 2025-11-04

## Dimitar Radev: Opening remarks - press conference with Christine LagardeOpening remarks by Mr Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, at the joint Press Conference with Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, Sofia, 4 November 2025.* * *Madam President, dear Christine,Thank you very much. This is a wonderful gift - and a truly weighty one, both literally and symbolically. It will have a special place in our museum, which tells the story of money through our ancient lands.Ladies and gentlemen,Thank you all for being here today. It is a great pleasure and an honour to welcome President Lagarde on her first visit to Bulgaria.Dear Christine, we are truly delighted to have you with us. You are among friends who deeply appreciate your leadership and vision at the helm of the European Central Bank - especially in these times of profound economic and geopolitical uncertainty.Your visit comes at a particularly meaningful moment for Bulgaria. Our country is approaching the final stage of its journey toward membership in the euro area - a goal that has guided our national and institutional efforts for many years.This process has been driven by a clear strategic vision: to strengthen the foundations of stability, deepen European integration, and achieve lasting convergence with our European partners.Bulgaria - and the banking sector more specifically - has already reached a high degree of alignment with the euro area framework.Through our participation in ERM II and our close cooperation with the ECB since 2020, we have effectively prepared our institutions, markets, and policies for the next step formal entry into the euro area.This achievement reflects a long and disciplined effort, supported by our partners across Europe and, in particular, by the ECB.Dear Christine, we are deeply grateful for your continued support, and for the professionalism and dedication of our ECB colleagues throughout this process.The forthcoming adoption of the euro will mark a truly historic milestone for Bulgaria. It will complete our economic and monetary integration with Europe, reinforce confidence in our financial system, and open new perspectives for growth and prosperity.At the same time, it will bring new responsibilities - responsibilities we are ready to assume with the same prudence and discipline that have guided us so far.Bulgaria's accession to the euro area is also an expression of our trust in, and contribution to, the European project - a project built on cooperation, solidarity, and shared responsibility.We firmly believe that a stronger and more integrated Europe benefits all its members, and we are committed to playing our part within that common framework.Your visit and today's discussions reaffirm our shared determination to complete this process in a way that strengthens both Bulgaria and the euro area as a whole.Dear President Lagarde,Thank you once again for being here today, and for the support and partnership of the institution you lead with such distinction.Thank you.