site.btaRuse, Giurgiu Mayors Discuss Construction Plans for Incinerator in Giurgiu

Ruse Mayor Pencho Milkov welcomed Giurgiu Mayor Adrian Anghelescu in Ruse on Wednesday for a cross-border meeting dedicated to the project for the construction of an incinerator in Giurgiu.

Bulgarian Ambassador to Romania Radko Vlaykov, Ruse Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev joined the meeting, as well as MPs and municipal councillors from both cities and representatives of the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate in Ruse.

Milkov recalled that back in 2023, he had sent an official negative opinion to the Romanian Environment Minister and that since then, documents sent by the local administration also expressed the disagreement of the residents of the region with the location of such a facility near Ruse. 

Anghelescu informed the attendees that the court had recently overturned an act of the local government, which effectively gave green light to begin construction of the incinerator. He specified that until 2023, Romanian legislation required that such facilities be built no less than 500 metres from populated areas, but this provision has already been repealed, which allowed the court to rule in favour of the project. He emphasized that he would seek a joint meeting with Milkov and the Romanian Health Minister to review the protection zones and ensure the safety of citizens.

“I assure people that we will oppose any initiatives that carry a risk of environmental pollution,” Anghelescu stressed, adding that there is no immediate danger of starting construction for now, as the administrative procedures could take up to two years.

“We are not in a position to hinder the process, but we can coordinate our actions with our colleagues from Giurgiu", Milkov said, agreeing to attend a meeting with the Health Minister of Romania and noting that he has requested assistance from Ambassador Vlaykov in organizing such a meeting.

“I am impressed by the complete unanimity and common position shared by the mayors, municipal councillors and MPs from Ruse and Giurgiu", Vlaykov said, expressing satisfaction with the meeting. He emphasized that the problem of the construction of an incinerator is shared and only a common front can prevent negative outcomes from the past. "I am convinced that with joint efforts and coordinated actions this issue will find its positive solution,” the ambassador pointed out.

Representatives of the political forces expressed a unified position that the safe living conditions of residents in the two regions are the most important priority in their work. Those present united around the proposal that the currently existing joint commission between the municipal councils of Ruse and Giurgiu be expanded to include MPs from both cities. 

Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev stressed that this is the right way to resolve the problem on both sides.