BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL The European Council on Tuesday formally approved Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro as its currency beginning Jan. 1, 2026, making it the 21st member of the euro area. The decision was adopted during a meeting of the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council, followed by a signing ceremony in Brussels attended by EU and Bulgarian officials. Amid public concern about price hikes, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis reassured: "We have strong historical data,