In case Bulgaria fails meeting EU requirements related to the introduction of the Natura 2000 environmental network, it faces European Commission sanctions, ecologists said.

The introduction of such fines will lead to budgetary losses that can be recovered in three to seven years, ecologists said.

According to ecologists fines can reach 100 000 euro for each day of delay in the Natura 2000 decision. In comparison, the fine that France had to pay reached 300 000 euro per day, Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.

Further losses will be experienced since Bulgaria will be denied the right to benefit from some structural funds.

Failing to meet ecological requirements will also decrease tourism revenue by a fifth, ecologists said.

Bulgarian officials have delayed on several occasions the decision on Bulgarian terrains to be included in the European environmental network. A list of areas was submitted to the EC but it is incomplete. A decision on some areas, located close to winter resorts and in the coastal region, will be taken later on.