Za Zemiata (For the Earth) environmental association plans to launch continuous protests in front of the Council of Ministers building.

Association members oppose the Cabinet decision to postpone the inclusion of some questionable terrains in the European Natura 2000 environmental network. Most areas are located in the coastal region and close to mountain resorts.

Ecologists will demand scientific discussion on the inclusion of these terrains in Natura 2000, Focus news agency reported.

Cabinet was trying to find a balance between investment interests and nature preservation, while the decision should be entirely scientific, environmentalists said.

Deputy Environment and Water Affairs minister Chavdar Georgiev and head of the parliamentary environment committee Georgi Bozhinov took part in discussions with environmentalists.

Georgiev said that the Environment and Water Affairs ministry has always been open to dialogue on Natura 2000.

Environmentalists said that the delayed decision may lead to the sanctions for Bulgaria. The country could suffer a trial or decreased amount of EU funding.

Za Zemiata said that the procedure for determining the areas to be included was transparent and enough information on Natura 2000 was provided in advance.