France Supports Bulgaria's Eurozone Entry As Of Jan. 1, 2025

France expressed support for Bulgaria's entry into the Eurozone as of Jan. 1, 2025, local media reported Wednesday.

Citing Finance Ministry sources, Bulgaria's state-run BTA news agency said Paris also reaffirmed its support for Bulgaria's membership in the Schengen area via land borders during talks between Bulgarian Finance Minister Assen Vassilev and his French counterpart.

France also indicated its readiness to cooperate with Bulgarian border and customs officials in underpinning controls at the external European borders.

In January, the European Council agreed to lift air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania as of March 31, 2024, paving the way for the two countries to obtain full access to the Schengen area.

The Schengen area currently includes 23 of 27 European countries as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and allows people to travel freely among member countries without going through border controls. -