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European Commission reported today that it has decided to take legal action against Bulgaria and 6 other countries for not completing the review of two types of plans – for river basin management and flood risk management, as required by two directives from 2000 and from 2007 year. In particular, Bulgaria and Ireland are concerned with the first directive.
The procedure on this matter was started a year ago, when the Bulgarian authorities were notified of the problem. In February 2023, the office of Galab Donev, selected and ex officio appointed by President Rumen Radev, ruled. The Minister of Environment and Water was Rositsa Karamfilova-Blagova, but there was no functioning National Assembly. The second step was taken by Brussels in Septemberbut no result again.
The Water Framework Directive, an important part of the European Green Deal, deals with water bodies such as rivers and lakes and aims to reduce and eliminate pollution to ensure sufficient volumes for both people and wildlife. The Floods Directive is important for preparing for floods and managing this disaster, which damages people, settlements, industry, the economy and nature. The revision and renewal of plans under both directives must be done every 6 years.
Criminal procedure for natural gas
The Commission started criminal proceedings (so-called infringement proceedings) against Bulgaria in relation to the regulations on the security of gas supplies. The country has failed to keep its commitment to send information to Brussels about its crisis prevention plans, which should describe measures to eliminate or limit specifically identified risks to gas supplies. and the consequences of their possible interruption.
These plans must be updated, made public and reported to the Commission every 4 years. The first date for such a renewal was March 1, 2023, but to date Bulgaria has not yet told Brussels what Sofia’s plans are, which has been deemed a failure to fulfill its obligations. In two months, there should be an explanation from the Bulgarian authorities and actions to eliminate the problem.
A problem with the protection of children in procedural and judicial actions
At the first of the three levels is the procedure against Bulgaria for not having fully implemented into the national legislation the rules for the procedural protection of suspected or accused children during criminal checks and investigations.
This is related to a 2016 directive aimed at minimum fair trial standards in the European Union. The problem with Bulgaria, indicated in today’s announcement, is that it does not legislatively protect the right to information, the right for the parent responsible for the child to be informed of his rights, the right to an individual assessment and the right to a medical examination.
And in this case, Bulgaria has two months to send a “satisfactory response” and take corrective actions.
2024-02-07 12:56:15
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