The list of Bulgarian territories to be included in the European environment network Natura 2000 has already been sent to Brussels, Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov said.

Cabinet decided to postpone its decision on the inclusion of various terrains located along the Black Sea coast and near mountain resorts, Dnevnik daily reported.

Chakurov said that a new expert group will be summoned to evaluate once again the terrains under question.

Work should start soon as a final decision needs to be taken by October, Chakurov said.

The teams to evaluate the terrains will be independent from the ones that already worked on them. Regional Development Minister Assen Gagauzov said that the only reason for the exclusion of the terrains from the network would be investor interest.

Such decision, however, could lead to the imposition of fines on Bulgaria, Dnevnik reported. Inclusion in Natura 2000 needs to be based entirely on environmental evaluation.

Some of the areas that still await a decision include natural preserves in Bulgaria’s mountain regions, the wild beach area of Irakli and Kaliakra Cape. Dourankoulak Lake is also missing from the approved list, though the area is part of the world natural heritage.