Today is the day: *Bulgaria is using the euro!* 🇪🇺 ❤️ 🇧🇬 Bulgarians can now benefit from *a more stable economy, stronger trade worldwide and not changing currency every time they travel* 🤝 To start using the euro, a country needs to have its *economy in check.* For example, it must have low inflation and a stable exchange rate between its currency and the euro. That's not all - each new euro area member needs to be *proposed by the Commission, endorsed by the European Parliament* and, finally, *approved by EU countries.* The European Parliament said yes to Bulgaria's membership bid in July 2025. Now, it's a reality. Congratulations, Bulgaria - the 21st member of the euro area! 🎉🥳 _🔗 Read more: https://link.europa.eu/HgJ94_

> "A new year is upon us, and with it, fresh determination to build a Europe that lives up to its promise." Happy New Year from Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

Farewell flæskesteg and hello halloumi! Starting 1 January, *Cyprus will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union* for the next six months. A big thank you to Denmark for its work over the past six months in guiding the Council’s agenda and steering key negotiations. *The Council of the EU* is one of the EU's *main decision-making institutions* where representatives of the governments of member states negotiate and adopt laws together with the European Parliament. _🔗 Want to know more about the rotating EU Council presidency and Cyprus’ role? Read about it here 👉 https://europa.eu/!6qXC6m_

With _320 days of sunshine ☀️ a year,_ Cyprus is clearly ready to bring some bright energy to Brussels! From *January to June 2026,* 🇨🇾🇪🇺 *Cyprus* steps into the role of *presidency of the Council of the European Union*, helping shape new EU laws on everything from climate and energy to digital policy and innovation. Curious to learn more about the island behind the presidency? _👀 Check out the infographic for facts and fun trivia about Cyprus ☝️_