site.btaEU Commissioner Vella, Minister Vassileva Discuss EU-Supported Bulgarian Environment Projects

EU Commissioner Vella, Minister Vassileva Discuss EU-Supported Bulgarian Environment Projects

Sofia, March 24 (BTA) - The EU-supported Operational Programme
(OP) Environment topped the agenda of a meeting of the visiting
EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Karmenu Vella and Bulgarian Environment Minister Ivelina
Vassileva. Asked about the prospects for this programme after a
host of problems and suspended projects in the previous
programming period, Vella said that significant progress has
been made and Bulgaria now has all the support of the EC, the
competent services and his own team.

Vassileva told the press that talks are forthcoming with DG
Regional Development later this week to finalize the discussions
on the first priority axis, Water, of OP Environment.


The EU Commissioner and the Environment Minister also discussed
air pollution with particulate matter, which is a serious issue
for the large cities in Bulgaria. 17 other member states have
the same problem, added Vassileva. She was assured by the EU
Commissioner that the aim of the Commission is to support the
member states in their efforts to comply with the air quality
standards.

Another issues on the agenda of the meeting was waste
management. The EC is suing Bulgaria for non-compliance with the
requirements to close down landfills and eliminate illegal
landfills.