Experts from Environment DG met representatives of the non-governmental sector in Bulgaria

Before the meeting with the NGOs, the experts from EC visited Rila and Pirin mountains (which are the subject of several complaints) led by representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waters.

The official meeting with the NGOs took place on the 6th of April, 2011 in the building of the European Commission in Sofia. During the meeting were discussed the infringement procedures for violations in a number of protected sites from NATURA 2000 ecological network such as Emine-Irakli, Rila, Pirin, Strandzha, Kaliakra, etc. Other topics discussed at the meeting were the problems with the garbage of Sofia, Belene Atomic Power Plant, the lack of effective strategy for the renewable energy sources in Bulgaria, etc.

The conversations were led by Jean-François Brakeland from Directorate A: Legal Affairs & Cohesion and Stefan Leiner from Directorate B: Nature, Biodiversity & Land Use. The NGOs were presented by the member s of “For the Nature” Coalition and other NGOs and civil groups.

According to the representatives of “For the Nature” Coalition the conversations were very fruitful.