• By adopting these important strategic documents, Bulgaria fulfilles the requirements of two European directives, in relation to which infringement procedures have been launched
• With the updated river basin management plans (RBMPs), Bulgaria provides a reliable tool for protecting human health and the environment, for local communities and investors, through which to plan the sustainable development of their activities and initiatives
• It is of utmost importance that the state - represented by the Ministry of Environment and Water - actively participates in the processes for the development of the Black Sea water area under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Bulgaria - coastal and territorial waters, following a policy of balancing economic development and protection of the marine environment

At its meeting today, the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for the Danube, Black Sea, East Aegean, and West Aegean regions for the period 2022-2027 and the national programs for their implementation.

The river basin management plans aim to protect the country's water resources, ensure good water status and reduce risks in their use. The program of measures within the RBMPs 2022-2027 has been consulted with the institutions responsible for their implementation, under the procedures of the Water Coordination Council, during interdepartmental coordination, and additionally through the process of public consultations.

By adopting the updated RBMPs, Bulgaria not only fulfills its commitment under Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive, WFD), but also provides a reliable tool for protecting human health and the environment, for local communities and investors, through which to plan the sustainable development of their activities and initiatives; a tool that guarantees the smooth running of the investment process in balance with the protection of environmental components.

The Council of Ministers also adopted a Decision on approving the updated Marine Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria with a Program of Measures for the period 2022 - 2027.

The Marine Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2022-2027 aims to achieve and protect the good status of the marine environment and human health and is in line with the requirements of Directive 2008/56/EC in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, MSFD). The Programme of Measures plans actions to gradually reduce the individual types of anthropogenic pressure necessary to achieve the objectives according to the requirements of the MSFD. The envisaged measures have been discussed with stakeholders during consultations and in the process of interdepartmental coordination.

With the adoption of the Marine Strategy and Programme of Measures for the period 2022-2027, our country meets the requirements of the MSFD and it is expected that as a result the European Commission will close the infringement procedure against Bulgaria.

It is of utmost importance that the state - represented by the Ministry of Environment and Water - actively participates in the overall processes the development of the Black Sea water area under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Bulgaria - coastal and territorial waters, following a policy of balancing economic development and the protection of natural resources. Monitoring measures will ensure that the document is not a one-off action, but a comprehensive process that is constinuous over time. Thus, the public interest is optimally protected - especially human health and environmental requirements - while at the same time providing predictability for potential investmentors.