Today, 3 November 2026, Ms Anca Dragu, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (NBM) met in Sofia with Mr Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the two institutions and drawing on Bulgaria’s experience in supporting the reforms through which the Republic of Moldova is aligning its financial system with European Union standards.
One of the topics discussed during the meeting was the Bulgarian central bank’s experience with the European integration process, including in the context of Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026. Its integration into the Eurosystem provides practical insights relevant to modernising financial infrastructure and connecting to European payment systems.
Ms Anca Dragu outlined the NBM’s progress in aligning its regulatory and supervisory framework with the European Union acquis. The reforms aim to strengthen the resilience of the financial sector, improve risk management and facilitate integration into the European financial market. In this context, the meeting also addressed the European Banking Authority’s assessment of the equivalence of the Republic of Moldova’s prudential and banking supervisory framework with that of the EU.
The modernisation of payment systems was another topic of discussion. The NBM Governor highlighted the results of the Republic of Moldova’s participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and the development of the MIA instant payment system, which help reduce costs and simplify transfers for individuals and businesses.
The discussions also addressed the challenges posed by external uncertainties and the importance of strong institutions in managing them. The NBM Governor emphasised the role of central bank independence in maintaining financial stability for the benefit of the population and the economy.
The meeting took place in the context of Ms Anca Dragu’s participation in the OMFIF Forum in Sofia, entitled “Enlargement, Transformation, Digitalisation”, held on 2–3 November 2026. Organised by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), under the auspices of the Bulgarian National Bank and in cooperation with the Association of Banks in Bulgaria, the event brought together representatives of central banks, European and international financial institutions, the investment community and the banking sector. Discussions focused on European integration, competitiveness, resilience and the digital transformation of financial services.
