site.btaProsecuting Magistracy to Decide Within a Week Whether to Object against Environment Minister's Order Regarding Kaliakra Case

Kavarna, on the Black Sea, August 11 (BTA) - Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov told journalists here Friday that the prosecuting magistracy will decide by next week's end whether there are grounds to object before the Supreme Administrative Court the Environment Minister's order regarding the Kaliakra case.

Issued on July 21, 2017, an Environment Ministry order restricted economic activity in protected Ponto-Sarmatic steppes included in the EU-wide Natura 2000 network. The order was preceded by negotiations of Dimov with the European Commission after the EU Court of Justice issued a judgement against Bulgaria in connection with the building of windmills and other sites in protected areas.The order was cancelled by Minister Neno Dimov on August 5, acting on the Prime Minister's express instructions. The order imposed a total ban on farming, construction and fishing in properties falling into the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and sparked protests of  the local people. According to the taboo list, people cannot plough fields, grow maize or sunflower, plant trees, and catch fish or mussels within 15 km off the coast.

Tsatsarov added that the Supreme Administrative Prosecution Office has requested from the Environment Minister the whole documentation concerning the mapping of the Natura 2000 network.

The Prosecutor General noted that no attention had been paid for years to wind electricity generators, pushed through thanks to lobbyism, the purchase of the generated electricity, as well as golf courses. "Now it turns out that the existence of people is an obstacle to nature's existence. This is nonsense and cannot go on like this," Tsatsarov said.

He opened in Kavarna the renovated building provided to the regional prosecution office by the Municipality.