The State gives away its land in Bansko Ski Zone, a new lift is being constructed outside the concession in Pirin National Park

Bulgarian National Audit Office’s audit in 2013 established that in violation of the concession contract for Bansko Ski Zone with Ulen AD, one lift, one tow-lift, and 13 technical facilities are property of third parties, instead of owned by the State. Moreover, it becomes clear one year later from the decision of Oresharski Cabinet that two more lifts and one tow-lift have become property of third parties.

In 2014 a strong support for hidden privatization of facilities in the concession of the offshore Marengo Trading is provided by the minister from DPS Stanislav Anastasov, who, with a letter No ОВОС-24/04.08.2014, allowed Marengo Trading to replace the three-seat lift Shiligarnika – Todorka with a new six-seat lift in violation of the concession contract with Ulen AD. This same intention of Ulen AD was rejected in 2011 by Minister Nora Karadzhova, because it contradicted the Management Plan of Pirin National Park and the concession contract.

With this decision the minister from DPS actually presents permanent building rights to the offshore firm Marengo Trading within the framework of the concession of Ulen AD and on a territory which is exclusive state property. Ulen AD buys three-seat lift Shiligarnika – Todorka in 2002 without a tender from the state firm Akademika of the Ministry of Education for the purpose of fulfilling the concession obligations, but the same year it is resold to Marengo Trading.

The main reason for the unlawful developments in relation to the ski facilities of the concession for Bansko Ski Zone is the fact that the State has not yet issued a single act for state ownership of the constructed buildings, facilities and purchased equipment at Bansko ski zone, which is provided as concession for 30 years. For two years now the ordinance of the Audit Office for initiation of activities for arranging the state ownership of the facilities on the concession has not been observed, on account of which the same are accounted as long-term material assets of the firm Ulen AD, participate in its capital, and as such can participate in various deals.

In reality, what happens with the concession for Bansko Ski Zone is that it is just as if we have rented our house to Ulen AD, the firm constructs a vestibule, which is recorded as a property of the tenant, and after the rent contract has expired we have no access to our house without the approval of our former tenant.

The coalition Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria thinks that on account of those unlawful sales and allowed construction, the authorities from the Ministry of Environment and Waters, the Directorate for National Construction Supervision and Bansko Municipality are responsible for the State to have been deprived, and the concession contract to have been repeatedly violated by the concessionaire Ulen AD. The coalition Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria insists that Council of Ministers declare as void the license from Minister Atanasov, and the Prosecutor’s Office investigate his actions for dereliction.

Thus, the main facilities in Bansko Ski Zone in Pirin National Park may remain forever property of private firms, instead of state property, as the Concessions Act rules. In this way a hidden drain of Ulen AD and de facto unlawful plundering of territories of Pirin National Park is effected.

See photos taken yesterday (June 4) between Shiligarnika and Mount Todorka. The trees to be cut have been defined, the earth movers are ready, and the materials for the new poles have been brought up.

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