Nearly 3000 people blocked the Simitli- Gotse Delchev road in protest against the introduction of Natura 2000 ecological network in Bulgaria.

The demonstration stopped road traffic and a nearly 10 km queue formed, Darik Radio reported.

Protests will continue on January 15, when the road will be blocked once again. The protest is to last two hours.

A meeting concerning the introduction of the European environmental network will take place on January 18 in Blagoevgrad. On the same day, protesters from the region will travel to Sofia and demonstrate in front of the Council of Ministers and National Assembly.

Protesters said that demonstrations would continue until their demands are met. According to them a number of terrains need to be taken out of the provisional Natura 2000 list.

Previously Bansko mayor Alexander Kravarov said that a number of territories should be removed from the list, as otherwise it would be hard for the region to attract and carry out business projects.

On January 12 Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov said that pressure concerning Natura 2000 was mounting in Bulgaria but the country had no alternative but to meet its EU-related commitments.

Tension resulted from the fact that the introduction of the network will impose some limitations on construction in the protected regions. Property owners and investors demanded minimal inclusion of Bulgarian lands in Natura 2000.