MEP Kristian Vigenin and Minister Manol Genov discussed Bulgaria's priorities in European environment and climate policy

Member of the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin held a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov, at which Bulgaria’s priorities within European environment and climate policy were discussed.

During the meeting, Kristian Vigenin presented to the minister the report on water resilience, which is due to be adopted by the European Parliament this week. The report will serve as a basis for drawing up a Water Resilience Strategy, which the European Commission has committed to present by the end of June this year.

„Bulgaria is among the countries at highest risk when it comes to water resource management. Their efficient use will be of decisive importance for drinking water supply, irrigated agriculture and industrial development“, Vigenin stressed. He added that the accelerated renewal of the country’s water supply network could become one of the lasting achievements of the Bulgarian government, provided there is targeted financial support over the next three years.

As a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) in the European Parliament, Vigenin proposed closer coordination between the national institutions and the Bulgarian representatives in the EP as early as the initial stages of shaping European policies.

Minister Genov expressed a commitment that the Ministry of Environment and Water would provide timely positions and expert support on key EU legislative initiatives relating to Bulgarian interests. As a first step, the upcoming vote in the ENVI parliamentary committee on a new regulation for simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism was discussed.