• Bulgaria will play a key role in post-war environmental restoration in Ukraine and the Black Sea region

Minister Julian Popov presented Bulgaria at the international conference "United for Justice. United for Nature", which took place on 20-21 October in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. The main focus of the meeting was the process of post-war environmental restoration in Ukraine and the Black Sea region, in which, according to the Bulgarian Minister, our country is to play a key role.

The event was attended by Ruslan Strilets, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Virginius Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, as well as the Environment Ministers of Germany, Romania, Moldova, and Lithuania. Among the participants was the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin.

Minister Popov held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Ukraine - Ruslan Strilets, Moldova - Iordanka Iordanov, and Romania - Mircea Fechet, as well as with German Minister Steffi Lemke, and members of other official delegations.

Minister Popov expressed how important the topic is for Bulgaria, as well as the country’s readiness to be one of the European coleaders in the future reconstruction of Ukraine. Due to its close proximity, the traditionally good historical ties between the two countries, as well as on the basis of the experience and capacity accumulated, Bulgaria will be able to contribute to successfully overcoming the environmental disaster that struck its Black Sea neighbor.

According to Minister Popov, our country has already made a significant contribution to Ukraine's recovery process with its commitments to energy and food security.

In support of Bulgaria's intentions, Minister Popov also highlighted the established partnership between Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria in monitoring and protecting the Black Sea waters following the incident in Nova Kakhovka.

The Bulgarian minister also shared the experience of the Ministry of Environment and other national institutions in dealing with the hybrid attack against the new Bulgarian government and the Bulgarian economy and tourism after the Nova Kakhovka incident.

According to Minister Popov, the "United for Justice, United for Nature" forum is the beginning of an international process to increase the accountability for the destruction and severe damage to nature caused by military conflicts.

Minister Popov also outlined other opportunities for partnership with the Ukrainian state, including direct Bulgarian commitments to nature reserves and areas on the territory of our Black Sea neighbors.