Eurogroup

Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe confirmed that Bulgaria could adopt the euro in 2025. This statement came following discussions with Bulgarian officials, including outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel, and outgoing Finance Minister Assen Vassilev.

In a significant step towards Eurozone integration, Bulgaria asserts its readiness to join the currency union without relying on exceptions, according to statements made by officials in Brussels. Petar Chobanov, Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, emphasized Bulgaria's commitment to meeting the criteria for Eurozone membership during a conference organized by MEP Emil Radev.

Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov, during discussions with Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe at the World Economic Forum in Davos, unveiled Bulgaria's ambitious goal of becoming a member of the euro area by January 1, 2025.

The Eurogroup welcomed on Thursday the fact that the draft budgetary plans of Greece and another six countries (Cyprus, Estonia, Spain, Ireland, Lithuania and Slovenia) are in line with the fiscal recommendations of the European Council based on the Commission assessment.

Eirini Zarkadoula, the Brussels correspondent for ERT - the Greek Public Broadcasting Company  - and for the Athens News Agency, joins Thanos Davelis to break down the main takeaways from Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe's visit to Greece this week that once again put the country's economic progress in the spotlight. 

The government said on Tuesday it has managed to bring last year's primary budget deficit down to zero and announced an 8% increase in disability allowances.

Addressing a special event on the national economy, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the increase in allowances decided "is a last symbolic but also essential move of the current parliamentary term."

Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe congratulated Greece and its Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Greece's economic progress in recent years during their meeting at the Maximos Mansion in Athens on Tuesday.

Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe, Ireland's minister for public expenditure, national development plan delivery and reform, is due to participate in a conference on the Greek economy titled "Resilience, Progress, Perspective" in Athens on Tuesday, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe, who is Ireland's Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform, is due to visit Athens on Monday and Tuesday to participate in a conference on the Greek economy on April 4 entitled "Resilience, Progress, Perspective", which is hosted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

There were calls for flexibility but also for a clear set of rules as the Finance Ministry and the European Commission Representation in Slovenia hosted a high-profile event to discuss efforts for the EU's new economic governance framework at Brdo pri Kranju on 9 March.