site.btaEnvironment Minister Reports Progress in Waste, Water, Deposit System, Black Sea Policies

Caretaker Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov said on Tuesday that his Ministry had made progress in waste management, water crises, the deposit system, Black Sea policies and speeding up environmental procedures during the caretaker Government's term. Popov was speaking at a meeting with journalists at the Ministry, where he presented a review of its work.

Popov stressed that the caretaker Cabinet's main task, holding fair elections, had been successfully fulfilled. "For the first time in many years, I feel that the election results reflect what people want,” Popov said, adding that as a citizen and voter he was satisfied with the outcome.

Regarding the Ministry's work, Popov noted that one of the key areas of focus had been the waste sector. He said that fees, regulations and internal mechanisms had been revised to stimulate movement in a sector he described as being in a very difficult condition. He emphasized that while the problems have not been resolved, they have been identified and initial steps have been taken to address them.

He also announced that legislative changes related to the deposit system for packaging, expected by both businesses and the public, have been finalized. According to him, its most important effect will be a significant reduction in waste and the provision of clean recyclable material, which has considerable economic value. He expressed hope that Parliament would consider the bill "seriously and calmly", with any revisions being constructive.

Popov highlighted progress in Black Sea policies as another key achievement, noting that a bill has already been submitted to Parliament assigning marine environment monitoring to the Executive Environment Agency.

The Minister also emphasized efforts to open up data within the Ministry's system. He noted that the Ministry holds vast amounts of information important for scientific research, education, governance and investment processes. Open access to such data, he said, facilitates environmental impact assessments and speeds up the implementation of investment projects.

Among other priorities, Popov pointed to the mapping of sand dunes along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast and a project for restoring urban rivers. According to him, the introduction of a new mapping methodology will help curb the destruction of protected dunes and enable their more effective conservation.