site.btaMinister Genov Takes Part in EU Environment Council Meeting in Luxembourg

Bulgaria’s Environment and Water Minister, Manol Genov, took part in a meeting of the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday, according to the Ministry’s press service.

During the meeting, ministers reached an agreement on the Council’s position regarding a new regulation that will replace the current directives on end-of-life vehicles (ELV), as well as rules on reusability, recyclability, and recoverability. Minister Genov said that significant progress had been made in reducing unnecessary administrative burdens while allowing flexibility to reflect sector-specific and national circumstances.

Without clear and effective mechanisms for traceability and financial compensation in a cross-border context, it would be impossible to reduce the disproportionate burden associated with the collection and handling of end-of-life vehicles, the Minister said. He also stressed the need for adequate instruments and mechanisms that would ensure the fair and effective implementation of the principle of extended producer responsibility.

“For Bulgaria, it remains a priority to establish clear and enforceable requirements that consider national specificities and strike a balance between environmental and economic priorities,” Genov added.

The ministers also discussed preparations for the upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “The decarbonization goal needs to be paired with a clear plan for developing a high-performance and low-carbon economy, one that ensures energy security, fosters technological and skills development, and supports the creation of high-wage jobs in sectors and regions impacted by the energy transition. Sustainable resource management is also needed to prevent significant harm to the environment and biodiversity,” the press release noted.

Minister Genov said that achieving that goal would only be possible if decarbonization plays the strategic role of boosting the competitiveness of European industry. ”Bulgaria continues to believe that the distribution of efforts must reflect the principles of solidarity in the EU and the pursuit of cohesion, take into account national differences and starting points, and address the challenges associated with industrial transformation and social aspects. Only in this way can the transition to climate neutrality be inclusive and fair,” Genov concluded.