Businesses will have a determining role, alongside ministries, in approving or banning investment projects in Natura 2000 protected regions.

An agreement on the issue was reached between Economy Minister Roumen Ovcharov, Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov and representatives of the Council for Economic Growth, Darik Radio reported.

During the summit, investors said that they needed more information on the manner in which Bulgaria was going to introduce the European environmental network and how the introduction would affect investment plans.

Chakurov and Ovcharov said that Natura did not ban investment and construction but project requirements would become tougher.

Urban and industrial areas would be excluded from Natura 2000, Ovcharov said.

Head of the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria Ivo Prokopiev said that Natura 2000 would not harm Bulgaria's real estate sector and the construction plans of investors.