On 13th May 2011, Connie Hedegaard, Member of the European Commission on Climate Action visited Sofia where she held a meeting with MPs from all parliamentary groups - Members of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds (CEAOF), the Environment and Water Committee (EWC), and the Economic Policy, Energy and Tourism Committee (EPETC), including Desislava Taneva, Deputy Chair of CEAOF, Meglena Plugchieva, Deputy Chair of CEAOF etc. The meeting was presided by Iskra Mihaylova, Chairlady of EWC. She greeted Mrs. Hedegaard and expressed her confidence about the importance and actuality of the discussed issues both for Bulgaria and the EU.
Mrs. Hedegaard emphasized on some aspects of the European "Roadmap for moving to a low carbon economy in 2050" and remarked that it is the first time the European Commission presents a comprehensive, economy-wide vision for how Europe can carry out the transformation in direction of cutting greenhouse gases, reducing energy consumption and increasing the renewable sources. For the successful implementation of the EU objectives, EU should direct its investments to the Member States, rather than countries like Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC), and Indonesia.
Iskra Mihaylova underlined the Bulgarian efforts on the Roadmap, highlighting the actions for energy efficiency in correspondence with the EU funds, cutting greenhouse gases in transport, adoption of new legislation for renewable sources, amendments in the Law on Environment and Water and further EU Directives transponation.
Participants in the discussion were also the MPs Petar Kurumbashev – EWC, Ramadan Atalay - EPETC and Meglena Plugchieva – CEAOEF. They shared their views on the discussed issues from the EU Agenda, related to the environment and climate changes and the Bulgarian role in their solution. They were confident about the EU progress on climate actions.
The EU Commissioner confirmed that Bulgaria is following a direction in unison with the EU plans. She underlined the necessity of investments prognostication in order to motivate the private business investments in renewable sources. Sectors like Energy Infrastructure, Transport Infrastructure, etc. are attractive for both public and private investors. She also added that necessity of coordinated action exists and that the European Commission has the will to treat the old and new Member States equally.
Mrs. Hedegaard stated that the consequences and challenges of the global economic crisis could be successfully overcome if the EU economy is environmentally efficient. Such a strategic vision could generate positive effects such as innovations, job creation, increase in renewable sources use and decrease in petrol import and consumption. In conclusion, she emphasized on the necessity of budget revision in order to allocate more funds to the objectives mentioned above. That would contribute to the added value creation.