The European Commission (EC) has decided to terminate the infringement procedure on Bulgaria’s failure to comply with its obligations to review and update the second Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) and the third River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs).

At the end of last year, the RBMPs for the four river basin management regions for the period 2022-2027 were adopted by decisions of the Council of Ministers and the EC was immediately informed that Bulgaria had fulfilled its commitments. As a result, on 12 February this year, the European Commission adopted a decision to terminate the infringement procedure.

In early 2023, the EC initiated an infringement procedure against Bulgaria for failing to fulfil its obligations in a timely manner. In September, the procedure entered the second and final stage of its pre-trial phase, and on 7 February 2024 the EC decided to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU. The information about the adopted plans was also promptly sent to the Court of Justice of the EU within the framework of the pending case.

Thus, thanks to the efforts by the Ministry of Environment and Water to develop and adopt the RBMP for the period 2022-2027 as quickly as possible, as well as the constant contact and work in a spirit of loyal cooperation with the services of the European Commission, a court decision against Bulgaria will be avoided.