Today, the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention decided not to open a file on the route of the Struma motorway through the Kresna Gorge. The case remains under the category a “possible file”, as for the last 6 years. The decision was taken at the Standing Committee meeting on 29 November-3 December 2021.

At the meeting, the results from the Berne Convention mission in August 2021 in connection with the construction of the Struma Motorway through ​​the Kresna Gorge were presented. The Committee thanked all participants in the mission and noted that the Bulgarian authorities and non-governmental organizations had sent an unprecedented joint report to the Standing Committee outlining future cooperation mechanisms.

It is envisaged to establish consultative working groups with clearly defined tasks and principles of work bringing together the competent institutions, environmental organizations, and the scientific community. These groups will discuss key issues, such as biodiversity conservation, road safety, and socio-economic aspects related to the construction and operation of the last section of the Struma Motorway through the Kresna Gorge.

The Bureau and the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention will continue to monitor the project and the actions by the state for the conservation of biodiversity in the area of the Kresna Gorge.