At the start of his term in office, the caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Asen Lichev found financially unsecured liabilities of the Executive Environment Agency in the amount of over 10 million BGN.

Overdue liabilities in the amount of 8,584,747 BGN to contractors under the project “Analyses and studies of species and natural habitats, subject to reporting under Art. 17 of the Habitats Directive and Art. 12 of the Birds Directive” had practically led to suspension of the activities under the project, financed by Operational Program “Environment 2014-2020”. As a result of undertaken actions by the caretaker government, these funds were secured by Decree by the Council of Ministers №209 of 01.07.2021 as additional transfers to the budget of the MOEW at the expense of a transfer from the Enterprise for Management of Environmental Protection Activities.

The funds were provided to the Executive Environment Agency, which carried out the payments to the contractors. This enabled the project to continue to be implemented without any damage to the state budget. Continuity and availability of a database for the next report in 2025 under the two directives has been ensured, avoiding the risk of infringement procedures and negative dynamics in relations with the international teams involved in the project implementation.

Financially unsecured commitments made by the Executive Environment Agency in the amount of 2,150,400 BGN were also found, which are subject to inspection by the bodies of the State Financial Inspection Agency.