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EC sends Bulgaria four warnings on environment issues

Thu, Oct 08 2009 16:19 CET 3093 Views 1 Comment
EC sends Bulgaria four warnings on environment issues

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas


Photo: Georgi Kozhouharov

The European Commission has sent four warnings to Bulgaria because of the country's failure to provide adequate protection for its natural heritage, the EC said on October 8 2009.

Three of the warnings related to protected areas, while the fourth was on Bulgaria's current environmental legislation.

The areas involved are the Pirin Mountain, where an extensive ski centre is being developed; the Tsarevo municipality in the south of the country, where a large protected area near the Black Sea is under threat, and works along the Vaya River in the protected area of Emine-Irakli, near the Black Sea.

The fourth warning relates to the failure to bring Bulgarian nature legislation fully into line with European requirements.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "Despite covering only 2.5 per cent of the EU's total area, Bulgaria is home to almost 70 per cent of Europe's protected bird species, and some 40 per cent of its protected habitats.

"This extraordinary biodiversity must be protected, because legal protection is the only sure way to safeguard future economic and social well-being. I expect Bulgaria to bring its legislation into line with European requirements, and above all to ensure that it is properly implemented in practice, on the ground," Dimas said.

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Comments

Anonymous Dianne Hatton Thu, Oct 08 2009 18:40 CET

Good old Stavros Dimas. Deaf ears, but well said.


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