Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov failed taking into consideration the position of municipalities on the inclusion of Bulgarian territories in the European Natura 2000 environmental network, Kavarna mayor Tsonko Tsonev said.

Chakurov invited local authorities to the talks but never listened to their arguments, said Tsonev as quoted by Focus news agency.

The information campaign on Natura 2000 started late, Tsonev said. Talks, inspections and tests needed to be carried out before a final decision was taken, said he.

A decision on the percentage of Bulgarian territories to be included in the network has not been taken yet. On December 21 the Environment and Water Affairs Ministry had to approve a list of areas to become protected regions but it decided to take the decision in January.

Environmentalists call for the inclusion of nearly 30 per cent of the Bulgarian territories in the network. Property owners and companies demanded lower percentage, as inclusion in the network is to impose some construction limitations.

Chakurov said that he was ready to take into consideration all opinions on inclusion in Natura 2000.

The information campaign really started late, Chakurov said, but the ministry planned to launch a series of information exchange meetings, said he.