Bulgaria could escape EU sanctions, resulting from a delay in the announcement of its list of areas for inclusion in Natura 2000 environment network, Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov said.

Council of Ministers would discuss, approve and present to the European Commission (EC) the list of areas to be protected in the coming couple of weeks,  Chakurov said as quoted by Focus news agency.

Natura 2000 is an environmental network, which includes territories from all EU member states. Areas to be included in the network are determined according to two directives, for bird and habitat protection.

Bulgaria had to present the list of areas to be included in the network by the end of 2006.

The introduction of the network in Bulgaria created disagreements between local ecologists and investors and land owners. Cabinet decided to postpone the decision on the territories to be included  for 2007.

Work on Natura 2000 would begin from the directive for bird protection as EC was expected to present an expert stand of the habitats in Bulgaria, Chakurov also said.