If Bulgaria does not take measures regarding the environmental damage related to the construction of the Struma Motorway in the area of the Kresna Gorge, it is threatened by severe sanctions from the European Union. This turned into an interview with News.bg the ecologist Andrey Kovachev from the Balkans Association.
The reason for his comment was the information from the Ministry of Environment and Water on Friday that at least for now, Bulgaria will not be sanctioned in the Struma case“. And more specifically: The Berne Convention – an EU body that monitors environmental violations, has decided not to open a file to our country on the construction of the highway.
Struma Motorway does not have Act 16, but is it included in the list of national roads?
The reason for the accident is not because of the speed
–
Although there is no de facto procedure the construction of “Struma” remains under EU scrutiny and appropriate action will be taken in the event of future violations.
There is also a danger to the money from the Recovery and Sustainability Plan, from which the state is waiting for billions, said Andrey Kovachev.
“Bulgaria has an open dossier of 3 years, which is potential. When a country receives such a recommendation, it should be monitored by the Berne Convention,” he said.
–
The Ministry of Environment and Water wants a concept for “Natura 2000” from BAS because of Struma near Kresna
A National Plan against the Illicit Use of Poisonous Substances was also considered
–
According to him, Bulgaria has nevertheless made progress in the establishment of 3 working groups between the state and non-governmental organizations., which should propose solutions for the construction of the highway. “What gives hope is that these groups will work by consensus. And they will work by argument, not by argument of force, as has been the case so far. But political will is needed.”
In the cases of the construction of the highway near Kresna and in the one in the section near the village of Bosnek, where 44 people died, there is a systematic disregard of laws and rules., Kovachev was categorical.
–
Four bids were opened for the construction of the Struma Motorway between Kresna and Krupnik
The 24-kilometer section is divided into two lots
–
“This is not a highway, this is a first class first road, because the procedures were not carried out at the time due to certain interests.. And now, because of such clientelistic interests, this is being done in the Kresna Gorge“said the ecologist.
We remind you that the state decided to build the Struma Motorway in the area of the Kresna Gorge in a hybrid version – the road in the direction of Sofia to pass along the old route, and the lane in the direction of Kulata to pass outside the canyon.
– .
