The Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Sofia Her Excellency Ms Olesia Ilashchuk

At the meeting, Ambassador Ilashchuk briefed the Minister on structural changes within the Ukrainian government and on the recently formed Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine. In relation to the country’s European perspective, she presented a series of proposals for future cooperation between the ministries of the two countries, with an emphasis on the exchange of experience in areas related to accession to the European Union. The Ukrainian side could benefit from Bulgaria’s accumulated experience and expertise, opportunities could be identified and actions taken to this end.

Minister Popov expressed the view that Bulgaria has accumulated a wealth of experience that would be useful to Ukraine in the pre-accession process. He outlined our country’s main priorities in environmental and climate policy, focusing in more detail the current work in the sectors of waste management and the circular economy, hazardous chemicals, air quality, biodiversity conservation, climate change, and decarbonisation.

Minister Popov highlighted the introduction of a deposit-refund system in Bulgaria as a challenge, noting that work to this end is currently underway with the assistance of a dedicated working group.

Minister Popov identified the protection of the Black Sea as a key priority in the field of water management. At this stage, the leading document at European level is the EU Strategic Approach to the Black Sea, which aims for security, sustainability and prosperity. Bulgaria is working with great intent in this direction. Good examples of this include the scientific conference organised during the 61st session of the International Panel on Climate Change (29 July – 2 August 2024, Sofia), as well as the events at the Bulgarian pavilion during COP 28 of the UNFCCC in Dubai in 2023, as well as Bulgaria’s participation in an event organised at the Ukrainian pavilion.

Minister Popov provided information on an upcoming ministerial meeting within the framework of Bulgaria’s Presidency of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which is being held under the motto “A Compass for Stability, Security and Sustainability”. The high-level meeting is on the theme of “Climate and Maritime Security” and will take place in early June in Sofia. This is the first meeting of environment ministers from the SEECP region and it will set the course for strengthening climate and maritime security as key elements of regional sustainability and European integration.

Minister Popov briefed Ambassador Ilashchuk on Bulgaria’s preparations for the upcoming COP 31 conference of the UNFCCC, which will take place in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2026.

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue the successful bilateral cooperation.