• “Bulgaria is among the countries with the largest share of its territory included in the Natura 2000 network, which is both a privilege and a challenge,” said Minister Julian Popov.

Minister Julian Popov participated in the EU Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg under the Swedish Presidency. The EU environment ministers reached an agreement on the Nature Restoration Regulation.

Bulgaria voted in favour of a common approach, pointing out that the Presidency’s proposal strikes an optimal balance between maintaining ambitious nature restoration targets and providing flexibility for member states in implementing the regulation.

“Bulgaria has a very rich and preserved biodiversity and is among the countries with the largest share of its territory included in the Natura 2000 network, which is both a privilege and a challenge. It is very important for us that the regulation provides sufficient flexibility and references to take into account the national and regional specificities of the individual countries,” Minister Popov said.

Finland, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, and Italy voted against a common approach, while Belgium and Austria abstained.

The ministers exchanged views on the proposal for a regulation setting stricter CO2 emission standards for new heavy duty vehicles. Bulgaria expressed support for initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions worldwide, especially from road transport, which is the main sector generating high levels of CO2 emissions.

Minister Popov pointed out that despite the concerns our country has about the draft regulation, efforts will be directed towards achieving the optimal balance between climate objectives and preserving competitiveness, with a focus also on transport infrastructure and building green corridors in Europe.

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Popov was congratulated on taking office by the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and the Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius, as well as by his colleagues, the Federal Minister for Climate and Environment of Austria Leonore Gewessler, the Minister for the Environment of Romania Mircea Fechet, and the Minister for Climate of Estonia Kristen Michal.

The meeting continues with a debate on the new Air Quality Directive.