EC Asks Bulgaria to Complete Natura 2000 Network
The European Commission said on Thursday that it has urged Bulgaria to respect its obligations under EU rules for the conservation of natural habitats and protected species, included in the Natura 2000 network."Bulgaria has designated only 9 out of 230 Sites of Community importance as Special Areas of Conservation within the required time limit, and has generally and persistently failed to set site-specific detailed conservation objectives and measures for any of them," the Commission said in a statement. Under EU legislation, countries have to designate the EU-listed sites of Community importance as Special Areas of Conservation. They also have to establish the necessary conservation measures to maintain or restore the protected species and habitats to a favourable condition. Bulgaria has two month to respond to the arguments raised by the Commission, or the EU institution may decide to send a reasoned opinion, which could be followed by a court case. Last year, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Bulgaria over systemic failings in the implementation of EU nature legislation in the country.