Building a low carbon economy and environment protection are amongst the present-day world priorities, said the President of the National Assembly in a statement during a conference held in the framework of the European Green Week.

May 31, 2010

Building a low carbon economy and environment protection are amongst the present-day world priorities and a topic high on the Bulgarian agenda, said National Assembly President Tsetska Tsacheva in a statement at a conference entitled "Energy Revolution – Which Side of the Barricade to Choose?".

The forum is held under the patronage of the National Assembly President within the framework of the European Green Week. Green Week 2010 will be marked in Brussels from June 1 through 4 and all EU member-states are invited to take part in it with environmental initiatives. The National Assembly is hosting the conference organized by the Bulgarian School of Politics with the New Bulgarian University.

The National Assembly President pointed out that the most serious crisis after the WWII has proven the necessity of rethinking our attitude to the global resources. Economy could be hardly developed on traditional energy sources, stated further Ms Tsacheva.

Inefficiently used greenhouse gases coupled with carbon fuels cause climate changes. In order to stop this process we have to change in the first place our attitude to the environment we live in and give a meaning to our way of life, the National Assembly President pointed out. In her words the future energy development of the country poses not only a challenge but also a great opportunity for apart from state-of-the-art technologies the building of low carbon economy also means new jobs.

All this would be impossible without modern legislation reflecting the changes imposed by the time we live in, said Tsetska Tsacheva adding that she undertakes a commitment on behalf of the Bulgarian Parliament which would do its part when such legislation is initiated in compliance with the constitutionally established procedures.

The conference deliberations take place in three panels - "Energy revolution – the global challenge", "Energy revolution and national policy " and "Energy revolution and local policy".

Meglena Kuneva, former European commissioner and current political advisor to EC Vice-President Siim Kallas, said before the forum that in the EU Commission there is an ongoing discussion whether the harmful carbon emissions reduction should be changed from 20 to 30 percent. This objective is to be discussed at the EU Environment Ministers Council to be convened on June 11.

Members of parliament, Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Evdokia Maneva, municipal mayors and NGOs representatives took part in the conference. An exhibition dedicated to the EU 2050 vision for low carbon economy and harmful emissions reduction was staged in parallel to the forum.

On June 4, 2010, in the framework of the Green Week, M.P.s with the 41st National Assembly shall plant coniferous trees. The grove will be set on the territory of Slatina borough along the road to Sofia Airport Terminal 2.