site.btaBulgaria Supports EU Green Deal's Climate Neutrality Goal, Demands Adequate Support for Most Affected States, Regions

February 27 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers on Thursday
approved Bulgaria's framework position on the Communication from
 the European Commission to the European Parliament, the
European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European Green
 Deal, the government's information service said.

Bulgaria supports the long-term goal of achieving EU-wide
climate neutrality by 2050. At the same time, Bulgaria notes
that safeguarding the Member States' competitiveness, economic
growth, resource efficiency, technological neutrality and
well-being must be the guiding factors in the process. The just
transition should result in improved well-being and thus should
actively engage the citizens and the regions most affected by
the transition.

Regarding the sectors falling within the EU Emissions Trading
Scheme, Bulgaria holds that all energy-intensive sectors should
continue to receive sufficient free allowances that take into
account actual production. Bulgaria supports and relies on the
EC's commitment for adequate support to the most affected Member
 States and regions, and insists on detailed impact assessments
of all current and future measures, taking into account
geographical location, starting positions and national
specifics.

The Council of Ministers also approved Bulgaria's position on
the EC's Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament
and of the Council establishing the Just Transition Fund.
Bulgaria points out the need of a coordinated approach, close
collaboration and decisive action on the part of the EU for
dealing with the challenges to the sustainable development of
its regions.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian Deputy Economy Minister Liliya Ivanova
attended a regular meeting of the European Competitiveness
Council in Brussels, the Economy Ministry said.

Addressing the participants, Ivanova said that the
implementation of the new ambitious climate and environment
policies, for which not all Member States are equally prepared,
requires serious investments and reforms in the national
economies. She stressed that key industrial sectors, including
energy, metallurgy, machine building, the chemical and cement
industries, should be supported by policies and measures so as
not to lose their competitiveness and considerable number of
jobs. RY, LN/ZH