Deputy prime minister and finance minister Galab Donev and EU commissioner Piotr Serafin met in Sofia to discuss the EU's long-term budget for 2028-2034. They said after the talks that they mainly discussed where the money will come from.

"We aim to agree on the right sources of income for the EU budget, without putting extra strain on national budgets," Donev said.

What happened before: EU commissioner Piotr Serafin to visit Bulgaria on 29 and 30 October on the EU budget

Serafin is in charge of the budget, the fight against fraud and public administration. He wants member states to agree as soon as possible on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the official name of the long-term budget. "We face an uncertain future, so I hope for a deal on the Multiannual Financial Framework by the end of the year," he said.

Serafin believes the proposals must be seen as one package, and that concessions will also be needed to reach a deal.

Donev called on Europe not to lower its ambitions despite the difficulties. He described the budget as the EU's most important tool for building a richer, more competitive and safer union.

The finance minister said cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy are important for convergence, growth, competitiveness and food security across the EU. Donev said the problems facing the bloc are growing in number and size, and need an adequate and timely response. But he said this must not come at the expense of policies set out in the EU treaties.

Donev told Serafin that Bulgaria continues to work for a timely, ambitious, fair and balanced EU budget.