The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Operational Program “Environment” (OPE). This was stated by the Minister of Environment and Water Asen Lichev at a briefing at the Ministry of Environment and Water. According to him, the European Prosecutor’s Office had informed the Ministry that it was to exercise its competences on a signal from the preceding Minister Emil Dimitrov, which he sent about OPE to the Prosecutor's office, when he “previously awarded the Programme with 200% additional incentive scheme”.

Minister Asen Lichev presented what has been done in the MOEW since the beginning of the term in office of the caretaker government. According to him, RIEW-Burgas has inspected a hotel in Sinemorets in the Butamyata area and the State Property Committee initiated a procedure to terminate its construction. He also informed that signs with the names of rivers will be placed on the bridges of all rivers in Bulgaria within a year, thus fulfilling the promise given at the beginning of his term.

Minister Lichev touched upon the topic of the funds invested under OPE in the water supply and sewerage infrastructure during the two programming periods - 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, as well as by the EMEPA for 2003-2021 in the water sector. According to him, over 600 million BGN have been invested in Burgas, while in Montana - only 63 million BGN. “You can see for yourselves what the effect is, especially in terms of reducing losses of water,” the Minister said.

“Another great achievement is that the National Council for Biological Diversity at the MOEW, whose mandate had expired, met last week,” said Asen Lichev and announced that proposals for amendments to the lists of protected areas of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna had been considered and adopted. He informed that 44 protected areas and 3 new minister orders regarding the borders of “Ropotamo”, “Shkorpilovtsi Beach”, and “Galata” were considered. This is just the beginning of the procedure, which must end with a decision by the Council of Ministers. “This meeting of the National Council for Biological Diversity considered the National Action Plan to Combat Illegal Use of Poisons in the Wild 2021-2030,” he said.

“I am proud that my colleagues together with scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and representatives of NGOs reached a consensus and managed to develop a concept for specific and detailed goals at the level of protected areas of the eco network ‘Natura 2000’. This will be an inalienable annex to the national Recovery and Resilience Plan, which will be sent to Brussels. And this will facilitate the realization of the infrastructure linear projects on the territory of Bulgaria, which have been obstructed so far. For example, the ‘Struma’ highway near ‘Kresna’”.

“Regarding the dissatisfaction of the owners of bungalows in the Smokinya campsite, I sent instructions to the competent authorities on how they can carry out repairs and rennovations,” commented Asen Lichev.

The Minister stated that he had held a meeting with the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria and the chambers of commerce, at which became clear that the Bulgarian RDF waste is being accumulated and stored while the imported from abroad is being incinerated. The reason is that importers pay 300 euros per ton, and municipalities - only 45 BGN. “Municipalities and businesses agreed to increase the calorific value of Bulgarian waste so that it will be burned first. If this does not happen, I will ban the import”, Asen Lichev said in determination.

“I have put to the attention of the Prime Minister the need to make the circular economy a national policy. A letter by the Prime Minister has already appointed an interdepartmental working group to develop a National Strategy for the introduction of the circular economy in Bulgaria,” said the Minister. He explained that this is an obligation and commitment to the EU and especially under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Minister Lichev stated that he had met with the regional governor of Vidin and the two visited a construction site of the Montana-Vidin highspeed road and assured that it had not stopped. “We went to the Dimovo section because the road there intersects with the Turkish Stream route. We were looking for the branch to provide gas for Northwestern Bulgaria - we didn't find even a faucet that would provide for a gas lamp. "

“’Toplofikacia – Sofia’ may lose the possibility for a derogation if it does not provide the necessary data and guarantees to the MOEW by July 12th - Monday,” said Minister Lichev. He added that the Executive Eenvironment Agency has prepared documents to prevent a derogation by “Brickel”, which means that in practice the company does not meet the conditions and may soon be closed.

“Today I signed an order for Compulsory Administrative Measure for “Sofinvest” because of the landfill in the “Kremikovtzi” region, Vrazhdebna residence neighborhood. They have to restore the area, and it was found that instead they fill it with waste, which is unacceptable,” added the Minister.