Public and private interests clashed with each other and could turn the inclusion of Bulgarian territories in the European Natura 2000 ecological network into a major problem.

Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov had to table a final version of the list naming all terrains to be included in the network on December 21, Banker newspaper reported.

The discussion was delayed and Chakurov said that Bulgaria had negotiated with the European Commission a delay. A final list will be presented to the EC on January 31, instead of by the end of the year, said Chakurov.

Ombudsman Ginio Ganev said the same day that he would turn to Constitutional Court due to a violation of citizens' rights. Ganev said that the Environment Ministry was avoiding public debate of the issue and all interested parties were unaware of the Natura 2000 inclusion process.

According to Bulgarian bio-diversity regulations a decision of the Environment Minister cannot be appealed. Ganev said that such regulations excluded citizens from taking part in the decision process.

At the same time property agencies said that a number of deals were about to fail because of the expected inclusion of terrains in Natura 2000. Inclusion in the network would impose some construction regulations, Banker reported.

In November the Environment Ministry approved the inclusion of 225 areas, or 33 per cent of the Bulgarian territory in Natura 2000. Ministry representatives said that strict construction bans would not be imposed in the protected areas.