Greece Blocks Bulgaria’s First Commemorative 2 Coin Dedicated to the Bulgarian Alphabet.

Bulgaria’s first commemorative 2 coin, dedicated to the Bulgarian alphabet, has been included in the Bulgarian National Bank’s Coin Program and is currently undergoing the approval process, the BNB said. The inquiries follow a Council of the European Union document dated May 29, which states that an objection to the project was submitted by a eurozone member state under Regulation (EU) No. 729/2014. An unnamed country filed the objection on May 27.

Under the regulation, eurozone countries may object to a proposed coin design if they believe it could provoke adverse reactions among their citizens. The European Council reportedly attempted to keep the identity of the objecting country confidential to avoid fueling controversy, but diplomats in Brussels revealed that Greece had blocked the project. As is often the case in the region, the dispute centers on history, language, and cultural heritage. What initially appeared to be a routine approval of a new 2 coin has turned into another Balkan controversy. The coin is scheduled for release in the second half of 2026.

The BNB emphasized that it has identified no outstanding issues regarding the project’s compliance with applicable technical requirements. The approval procedure has not been completed and is continuing in accordance with the established rules, the central bank stated. According to the institution, the matter is currently being considered outside the framework of the project’s expert technical assessment. The BNB also said it will not publicly comment on positions, opinions, or correspondence exchanged during the process until the procedure is finalized. Once completed, the central bank will provide the necessary information through the established channels.

Initially, reports circulating online suggested that Slovakia had blocked the project because of its own strong historical connection to Saints Cyril and Methodius. It later became clear, however, that Athens had opposed the proposal.

Bulgaria has proposed that its first commemorative 2 coin be dedicated to the Bulgarian alphabet, highlighting the historical role of the Cyrillic script as part of Bulgaria’s cultural heritage.