The Minister for the Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova held a meeting with H.E. Mehmet Sait Uyanık, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Bulgaria. The discussion focused on the development of bilateral cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, water resource management, climate change, the protection of the Black Sea, and exchange of expert knowledge.

Minister Karamfilova emphasised that Bulgaria attaches great importance to the constructive and pragmatic dialogue with Turkey as a neighbouring country, a strategic partner, and a key player in the Black Sea region. She noted that both countries face similar challenges related to climate change, extreme weather events, and the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems, which require coordinated regional action and active cooperation.

During the meeting, Minister Karamfilova outlined the main priorities of the Ministry of Environment and Water, focusing on sustainable water resource management, adaptation to climate change, improving air quality, conservation of biodiversity and accelerating the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy. She emphasised that environmental protection and economic development are mutually complementary objectives and can serve as a driver for sustainable growth and investment.

The two discussed the importance of the Black Sea as a shared natural asset and a strategic resource for the region. Emphasis was placed on the need to develop marine environment monitoring systems, improve preparedness for environmental incidents, reduce marine litter, and protect marine biodiversity. The potential contribution of the future Black Sea Centre for Maritime Security to the exchange of information and expertise between countries in the region was also noted.

During the meeting, opportunities were also discussed for expanding cooperation in the field of waste management, exchange of expertise, optimising communication between relevant institutions, and promoting tourism, cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries.

H.E. Mehmet Sait Uyanık extended a personal invitation to Minister Rositsa Karamfilova to attend the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which the Republic of Turkey will host in November this year.