site.btaJustice Minister Says His Ministry Plays Key Role in Legislative Changes Against Waste-Related Crimes

The Ministry of Justice plays a key role in developing legislative initiatives aimed at countering crime and corruption in waste management, Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev said in his address at the roundtable discussion titled “Urban Waste Management: Crime, Corruption and Environmental Security.”

“I am here with colleagues from the ministry, the experts preparing key legislation in this area,” Georgiev noted. He emphasized that Bulgaria works closely with Europol and with partners from other EU Member States, as well as the United Kingdom, as issues related to illegal waste management have a cross-border dimension.

Georgiev said that a special working group has been set up at the Ministry of Justice and is already advancing with amendments to the Criminal Code. The proposed changes will introduce new provisions related to the illegal handling, collection, transportation, and treatment of waste, as well as to the supervision of its disposal.

The goal, he said, is to ensure a clear legislative framework and well-defined responsibilities for all officials involved. “Criminal law deals with crimes, not mere violations. Effective counteraction requires clear legislation and consistent institutional enforcement,” Georgiev stressed.

He added that waste management requires “less rhetoric and more specifics,” with concrete proposals and measures. The Minister also underlined the government’s political will to fully support efforts to address the waste management crisis.

He wished success to the participants in the forum and reaffirmed that the Justice Ministry will continue working on the modernization of Bulgarian criminal law and on improving the protection of the public interest.