Dear Ms Stefanova,

We refer to your letter of 5 April 2004 to Mr Dusan Ondrejicka on the construction of the National Center for Hazardous Waste Treatment in the region of Gledachevo. We also refer to our acknowledgments of receipt of 15 April and 28 May.

The EIB is discussing the possibility of financing the above-mentioned project with the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment. As the loan is still in the pre-appraisal stage, we cannot forecast if, or when, the project will be presented to the EIB Board of Directors.

As a general principle, local interests should (and the EIB encourages them to do so) make use of the arrangements for public consultation and public participation provided by national legislation, including that for ElAs. Specific information on such arrangements is available from the promoter and/or the competent authority. In the case of the project in Gledachevo, regardless of whether the EIB becomes involved in the financing of the project, it will require an EIA, which will provide the desired opportunities for public consultation.

The Bank always follows carefully these processes, that are devised democratically to address all interests and it takes into account their eventual recommendations. In specific cases, i.e. where EIB considers this essential in order to complete its environmental and social assessment, further discussions between EIB staff and local interests may be (subsequently) arranged. As past examples, we refer to discussions on two projects in Bulgaria in which you have been involved, i.e. the Sofia Airport and E-79 Motorway projects.

Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK