Zhivko Todorov: First, let’s create alternative employment, and then the dream green economy

First, we must create alternative jobs for the people involved in the “Maritsa-East” complex, and only then create the green economy we dream of; we cannot shut down capacities from today to tomorrow and carry out a fair transition. This was stated by the Mayor of Stara Zagora Municipality, Zhivko Todorov, in the publicist show “Face to Face” on bTV this evening. He called on the European Commission to take a fair look at Bulgaria, and our representatives in the European Parliament to explain well that it takes time to open up new employment opportunities for people. There are reasonable politicians in Europe who are not blindly guided by their views, the mayor of Stara Zagora expressed hope.

“If the complex does not work, it will affect more than 30,000 people who are directly and indirectly employed in it, companies and businesses – transport and others, people will remain unemployed, taxes and insurance will not enter the budget and losses for the state, they will be huge if we do not conduct a reasonable and balanced policy”, appeals Zivko Todorov. He urged that people’s perspective be given to prepare the real alternative, for which nothing has been done so far, but now it is being heard, he believes.

What is the Municipality of Stara Zagora doing to deal with the situation with the green deal. Projects for industrial zones have been prepared. One of them, Zagore, is already almost full of investors, 800 jobs are expected to be created in Elenino, and Stara Zagora Airport, which will be a state project on 2,200 acres, can also offer space for many investors.

Zhivko Todorov thanked the MPs, who today gave a breath of fresh air to all those working in the Eastern Maris complex and expressed his satisfaction that, at least for now, they will not worry about tomorrow. “There is no comprehensive solution to the problem, but it is also very difficult to work it out, we are in a transitional period in which we must prepare people and look for an alternative to these jobs,” the mayor described the situation. He specifically noted that the reclamation, for which BGN 250 million will be allocated annually from 2024 to 2028, will be carried out only by those involved in “Maritsa-East”, this money will not be given to external companies.

“This is how we will keep these people in the coming years and we will create an alternative through the industrial zones, so that they attract investors”, believes Zivko Todorov. He gave the example of the Kozani region in northwestern Greece, where they first closed down facilities, and then the state poured 4 billion euros of its own money into over 350 projects to revive the region. “Let’s act the other way around – first create the alternative and then build the green economy we dream of,” suggests the mayor.

Asked by Tsvetanka Rizova to comment on the other news of the day, Zhivko Todorov called the removal of Rosen Zhelyazkov two days before the 49th parliament stopped working as an absolutely senseless political act. “There should be more humanity in the parliament, less personal attacks and harsh tone, and more meaningful work for the people,” the mayor recommended. And let the parties not forget that after the elections they will again have to work together.

If you like the material, support us by sharing it with your friends.

Markers Old | Zagora | the people | after | the mayor | Todorov | works | Lively | No | create

No comments posted. Post the first comment!