Irina Kostova

The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court has suspended the implementation of Pirin National Park's new management plan, which would have allowed construction in 66 per cent of the park's territory and logging in 48 per cent, said campaign group WWF-Bulgaria. 

Bulgaria's High Administrative Court on Tuesday annulled a decision of the former Environment Minister, Irina Kostova, about adopting a management plan for the Pirin National Park without undertaking a prior environmental evaluation.

Interim Environment Minister Irina Kostova on Tuesday revoked her decision to pass a plan for Pirin National Park without an environmental impact assessment.

Kostova at a briefing cited the serious public reaction to the development.

Her decision followed a statement from President Rumen Radev, who wrote on Facebook the ruling had been premature.

Bulgaria may lose funding under two European projects financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism due to appeals of public procurement orders. This became clear at a press conference on Tuesday of Environment Minister Irina Kostova who presented her team and priorities.

A total of 38 projects are being implemented under the programme and the contracts were signed in 2015.