The Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov met with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Sofi, Her Excellency Dai Qingli.

The two discussed issues related to the placing on the market of products that upon use generate widespread waste. According to Bulgarian legislation, persons that put such products on the market are responsible for their separate collection and treatment and for achieving the relevant goals for separate collection, reuse, recycling and/or recovery. The requirement is based on the principle of extended producer responsibility, according to which these persons assume financial responsibility for the management of waste from these products.

Minister Popov informed the Chinese side that a dialogue is underway with stakeholders and that various options are being explored with industry organizations. The issue is not within the sole competence of the Ministry of Environment and Water and is therefore being discussed with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Economy and Industry, as these are issues of strategic importance.

Julian Popov informed that work is underway to guarantee and increase the country's energy independence. Bulgaria is one of the leading countries in the EU in terms of growth in solar energy on industrial batteries. He also pointed out that our country has the potential to become a major energy center in Southeastern Europe.