site.btaTen EU Countries, Including Bulgaria, Insist on Gas, Nuclear Energy Being Labelled Sustainable

October 21 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) -
Bulgaria and nine other EU Member States, including France, will
 insist that economic activities related to the production of
nuclear energy and natural gas be urgently labelled
environmentally sustainable, President Rumen Radev said here on
Thursday ahead of his participation in the European Council
meeting on October 21 and 22. Bulgaria firmly supports the
transition to a climate-neutral economy but that transition
should be smooth, sustainable, balanced and sparing the citizens
 and economy, he specified.

"I, as well as several other countries, will insist on an
analysis of the link between the current energy crisis and the
Fit for 55 package for a drastic drop in emissions, Radev said.
For Bulgaria that means stopping its traditional base units
sooner, without being ready with new ones in accordance with the
 new technologies. "Unfortunately, in December 2020 the previous
 government allowed a step to be made down this path, and now we
 have to do everything possible to minimize the damage for
Bulgaria," the head of State argued.
     
In his words, Bulgaria should definitely develop green
technologies, incorporate at an accelerated pace new solutions
in the energy sector and economy but without risky
implementation of the energy transition. The problem with high
energy prices is an all-European one and coordinated actions
should be sought at the EU level so as to protect citizen sand
businesses, Radev said.

Bulgaria produces enough energy for its market and for export.
The latter cannot be stopped and it influences domestic prices,
he noted, calling on the European Commission to quickly
intervene by exercising control over energy exchanges and
introducing measures to prevent profiteering.

RY/DS

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