The acceptance on Tuesday of the National Strategy on Environment coincided with the worldwide celebration of World Environment Day - June 5.

"This event enables the whole public to direct their attention towards different ways of protecting human habitat," said Katya Shavuleva, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Waters.

The National Strategy on Environment has been worked out as a response to the changed situation in the country - environment laws which are almost fully harmonized with EU legislation and the advanced privatization process.

It is the result of a long-term partnership with experts from Austria, Germany, France and non-governmental organizations.

In the strategy, two main purposes have been set before the country - keeping the biological variety and expanding green territories, as well as solving the problems with previously polluted regions.

According to the Ministry, the strategy has been completely co-ordinated with the National Plan for Economic Development.

The amount of money needed to fulfill all the activities stipulated in the strategy amounts to 3.1 billion leva, which is three per cent of Bulgaria's gross domestic product.

"The funds are really achievable and will be secured by the state budget, the national fund for environment and protection of forests, water supplies funds, companies' own resources, as well as three international programs - ISPA, PHARE and SAPARD," said Nona Karadjova, director of the Strategies and European integration department in the Ministry.

The annual celebration of World Environment Day in Bulgaria included a series of events all over the country. The Ministry organized a seminar on ways to protect the environment, and a national campaign entitled Future Without Rubbish, which was launched by the Borrowed Nature Organization. Winners from the Incarnation of Garbage student essay contest received three scholarships for the next school year.

World Environment Day has existed for 28 years, and was organized by the United Nations Organization for Ecology. The major celebrations of this day will proceed in Havana as well as Italy, Kenya, Neirobi, and Vietnam.