Sofia, December 21 (BTA) - For the first time, the Bulgarian Environment and Water Ministry (EWM) will provide government-allocated funding to tackle air pollution, Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policy and Environment Minister Borislav Sandov said at the start of the European Environment Council meeting in Brussels, quoted by his ministry here on Tuesday. EWM will allocate 47 million leva, he said.

''To follow the European model of development and to improve the living environment in Bulgaria are among our priorities in the sector,'' Sandov stressed. There are many infringement proceedings which the European Commission has opened against Bulgaria and one of the most serious ones is for the exceedances of air pollution limits, he noted.

The funding for improving air quality will be earmarked to municipalities to implement measures in fighting air pollution. Furthermore, the second period of funding under the EU Operational Programme Environment 2014-2021 is yet to start, as well. It will provide much more resources for households to replace old heating appliances, Sandov added.

In Brussels, Sandov held a working meeting with European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans. The two sides discussed the difficulties which Bulgaria faces under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the busy schedule of the Fit for 55 package within the French Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2022, the ministry also said.