European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev in Brussels on Thursday to discuss EU funding, anti-corruption reforms, energy policy and security support.
Von der Leyen said Bulgaria had received nearly €3.3 billion through the EU’s NextGenerationEU recovery programme, and noted an August 2026 deadline to commit funds under the scheme, the Commission reported.
She said Bulgaria’s creation of an Anti-corruption Commission and plans to reorganise the Prosecutor General’s office were central steps for unlocking almost €370 million in previously suspended funding.
The Anti-corruption Commission would need to be able to carry out its work independently, she added.
The talks also covered reforms to Bulgaria’s energy system, including strengthening parts of the state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding — particularly activities that produce “clean energy”, von der Leyen said.
She added €1.2 billion was included in Bulgaria’s NextGenerationEU plan for clean energy investments, and that the Commission would support Bulgaria and the region through the EU’s Just Transition Fund, which is designed to help areas affected by the shift away from fossil fuels.
Budget talks and security funding
Von der Leyen also raised negotiations on the EU’s next long-term budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), saying an agreement was needed before the end of the year.
On security, she declared that threats on the EU’s eastern border included “hybrid attacks” by Russia and that Bulgaria had a role in “our Eastern Flank Watch.”
The Commission would support Bulgaria with more than €3.2 billion under SAFE, she said, adding that the EU was ready to sign a loan agreement with Bulgaria “at any time”.
Separately, European Council President António Costa welcomed Radev as Bulgaria’s prime minister and described Bulgaria as “at the heart of the European Union” as a member of the euro area and the Schengen free-travel zone.
