Sofia, October 15 (BTA) - Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev held a meeting with European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans here on Friday, Government Information Service said.

Timmermans was in Sofia for a forum entitled "Green Transition: Solutions and Challenges for Bulgaria".

The sides discussed the challenges facing Bulgaria on its way towards
the Green Transition.

The Bulgarian head of government called for a quick assessment of Bulgaria's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), which has been finalized and submitted to the European Commission.

Timmermans assured Yanev that the Commission will take into account the country's specific situation and challenges when assessing and analysing the NRRP.

The PM stressed the need for flexibility in search for the most appropriate solutions in the context of Bulgaria's honouring the Green Deal commitments.

Yanev singled out nuclear power as an important component in the energy mix and a sustained factor in building a low-carbon energy system, along with renewable energy sources. The role of natural gas as a transition fuel and the prospects of using hydrogen were also discussed.

Timmermans also noted that the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) will address important topics concerning the Green Transition and carbon emissions reduction. The forum will take place in Glasgow between October 31 and November 12, 2021.

* * *

The European Commission confirmed on Friday that it had received an official recovery and resilience plan from Bulgaria. The presentation of the plan follows intensive dialogue between the Commission and the Bulgarian authorities.

"The Commission will now assess Bulgaria's plan based on eleven criteria and translate their contents into legally binding acts. This assessment will include a review of whether the plans contributes to effectively addressing all or a significant subset of challenges identified in the relevant country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. The Commission will also assess whether the plan dedicates at least 37 per cent of expenditure to investments and reforms that support climate objectives, and at least per cent to the digital transition," a press release from the Commission reads.

The Council of the European union will have four weeks to adopt the Commission's proposal for a Council Implementing Decision.

Bulgaria has requested a total of 6.6 billion euro in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The Bulgarian plan is structured around four pillars: Innovative Bulgaria, Green Bulgaria, Connected Bulgaria and Fair Bulgaria. The plan includes measures in areas such as decarbonization of the economy, education and skills, research and innovation, smart industry, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, digital connectivity, social inclusion and healthcare. Projects in the plan cover the entire lifetime of the RRF until 2026. The plan proposes projects in all seven European flagship areas. PP/KK/LG