Bulgaria will insist at the European Council meeting that the measures for achieving a more environmentally friendly economy in the coming years be made bearable, said Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said in Brussels.
According to him, the adopted EU goal of 55 % reduction of greenhouse emissions by 2030 puts Bulgaria in a difficult situation. The country’s maneuvering capabilities are extremely limited. Therefore, it will insist on taking into account the specificities of the individual countries, the different start of the member states and the introduction of measures to protect competitiveness and ensure social tolerability of the green transition.
Last year, the Council of Ministers approved Bulgaria’s framework position on the Communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament and the European Council on the European Green Deal. Bulgaria supports the long-term goal of achieving EU-wide climate neutrality by 2050. At the same time, Bulgaria notes that safeguarding the member states’ competitiveness, economic growth, resource efficiency, technological neutrality and well-being must be the guiding factors in the process. The just transition should result in improved well-being and thus should actively engage the citizens and the regions most affected by the transition. Regarding the sectors falling within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, Bulgaria holds that all energy-intensive sectors should continue to receive sufficient free allowances that take into account actual production. Bulgaria supports and relies on the EC’s commitment for adequate support to the most affected member states and regions, and insists on detailed impact assessments of all current and future measures, taking into account geographical location, starting positions and national specifics.
