Dear Ms Arsova,

Thank you for your message and enclosed copy of a petition from local interested parties. We take note of the points raised in these documents. As pointed out in previous correspondence, you should be aware that the Commission has insisted that the Bulgarian authorities strictly follow the appropriate procedures for environmental impact assessment and for consultations of the public and environmental bodies. In particular, it has sought to ensure that the relevant conditions of the ISPA financing memorandum relating to this project are complied with, in particular as regards the requirement for new public consultations and issuance of a new environmental permit.

The Ministry of Finance, acting in its role as National ISPA Co-ordinator, has written to the Commission on 1 July this year giving assurances that the terms of the financing memorandum will be fully met and enclosing a detailed time schedule for the implementation of procedures for EIA revision for the Ljulin motorway. This time schedule made provision for advance information to the general public and relevant environmental bodies as well as for a formal public meeting to discuss the revised EIA report towards the end of August.

The Commission will be checking in due course that the agreed procedures have been followed by the Bulgarian authorities.
I hope that you will accept that the Commission is doing everything possible to ensure compliance with the principles and requirements of the EIA directives in Bulgaria. As regards the more detailed points raised in your message about road alignments, etc., you should take the opportunity during the consultation process to make your views known to the appropriate Bulgarian authorities.

Yors sincerely, C.A. Walker
European Commission,
DG Regional Policy,
Directorate F/1 ISPA Co-ordination and Bulgaria & Romania