Inclusion of larger territories in Natura 2000 European environment network facilitated receiving EU funds, Andreas Beckmann, deputy director of environmental organisation World Wide Fund (WWF) Danube-Carpathian Programme office said during a conference on Natura.

Bulgaria could either follow the example of countries like Spain, which included nearly 25 per cent of its territory in Natura, or could include smaller percentage of its territories in the network, Focus news agency said.

Beckmann said that a big object, such as a hotel, could be demolished, if it was located in Natura 2000 preserved areas, but it was only an extreme measure.

In most cases Natura stimulated regional development by synchronising construction and environment preservation.

Natura 2000 is a European environmental network which includes areas from all EU member states. Bulgaria had to present a list of areas to be included in the network by the end of 2006 as a pre-condition for EU accession. The Cabinet postponed the list preparation as Natura led to clash of interests between investors and ecologists.