DECLARATION

Regarding the development of the project "Reconstruction and Extension of Sofia Airport", prepared by the Environmental Association "For the Earth"

We, the representatives of 23 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), participating in the National Conference of the NGOs in Bulgaria, working for environment protection and sustainable development consider that:
- The situation of the now existing airport in Sofia is absolutely inappropriate;
- The project "Reconstruction and Extension of Sofia Airport" does not meet the requirements for security and nature protection; the benefit for the country from its future development is put under question;
- The project "Reconstruction and Extension of Sofia Airport" is not sustainable because it is financed by loans of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and has low Internal Rate of Return, which only deepens the external debt of Bulgaria;
- Sofia Airport is a source of over-noise pollution and pollutes the air, soil and water and the flying aircraft over the city of Sofia puts at stake the citizens of Sofia;

We would like the European Commission and the European Investment Bank to:
- Reconsider their support for a project, which is not sustainable and perspective;
- Stop the financial aid for the project implementation until the concerns of the local people and the environmental NGOs are taken into account during the project development and implementation;
- Promote transparency and public accountability about the activities of all national and international institutions during the project development and implementation;
- Require the performance of a new EIA procedure, which meets the standards of the national (Decree N4 from 07.07.1998) and EU legislation (Directive 97/11/EC from 03/03/1997) on the performance of Environmental Impact Assessment, which will include the entire airport and will assess its cumulative impact on the public and environment.

1. Anelia Stefanova, EA For the Earth/CEE Bankwatch Network
2. Petko Kovachev, CEIE/CEE Bankwatch Network
3. Maria Moleshka, InfoECOclub
4. Ivailo Todorov, "Active commitment"
5. Maria Minkova, "Ecoglasnost"
6. Margarita Daskalova, "Ecoglasnost"
7. Toma Belev, "Vitosha" Foundation
8. Liliana Asenova, "Orli"
9. Lyubomir Profirov, Bulgarian-Swiss Program for biodiversity protection
10. Silvia Andonova, Bulgarian Association for Bird Protection
11. Maria Samardjieva, Park and Landscape Professional Association Bulgaria
12. Kalin Apostolov, "Ecosouthwest"
13. Ivelin Ivanov, Green Balkans
14. Maria Toncheva, "Borrowed Nature" Association
15. Nina Ivanova, Environment club - Dobrich"
16. Stoyan Yotov, Association for wild bird protection
17. Marian Marinov, "Eco-directions 21"
18. Rumiana Panayotova, Bulgarian National Radio
19. Boiko Rujgev, MCKEIRD Belene Association
20. Petar Petrov, Regional Environmental Association "Yantra"
21. Natalia Jivkova, Eco-club 2000
22. Todor Dimitrov, "CMR" Buhovo
23. Elena Tzingarska, Wild Life Protection BALKANS Association