Environment and Water Minister Krasimir Zhivkov participated in the meeting of the EU Environment Council held in Luxembourg. During the meeting, a general approach was reached on two important regulations - on the circularity requirements in the design of vehicles and on the management of end-of-life vehicles.
Minister Zhivkov noted that significant progress has been made in reducing the administrative burden, while ensuring flexibility to take into account specific sectoral and national characteristics. He stressed that without clear and effective mechanisms for traceability and financial compensation in a cross-border context, it is impossible to limit the disproportionate burden associated with the collection and treatment of waste vehicles.
According to the minister, in order to ensure fair and effective implementation of the principle of extended producer responsibility, it is of key importance to develop adequate tools and mechanisms. "A priority for Bulgaria remains the achievement of clear and applicable requirements that take into account the specific national context and reflect the necessary balance between environmental and economic priorities," said Minister Zhivkov.
The ministers also discussed the prospects for the EU on the eve of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30). It is necessary to combine the goal of decarbonization with a clear plan for the development of a highly productive and low-carbon economy, based on energy security, technology and skills development, and the provision of high-paying jobs in the affected sectors and regions.
Minister Krasimir Zhivkov emphasized that the successful achievement of this goal is possible only if decarbonization has a strategic role as a driver for the restoration of the competitiveness of European industry. Bulgaria continues to believe that the distribution of efforts should take into account the principle of solidarity in the EU, the pursuit of cohesion, national specificities and different starting positions, as well as the challenges related to changes in industry and social aspects. "Only in this way can the transition to climate neutrality be inclusive and fair," concluded Minister Zhivkov.