PETITION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Regarding the attempts of the Bulgarian Government to legalize 64.7 hectares of illegal cuttings in Pirin National Park by making amendments to existing legislation

30 June 2011

We, the undersigned petitioners, remonstrate against the decision of the Bulgarian Government to legalize violations of the existing national legislation by changing it, and thus violate the European Union legislation which does not allow state aid for private companies. We consider such an attitude of the Bulgarian authorities disrespectful to the democratic principles of modern Europe and destructive to the trust of the modern society in the superiority and equity of Law.

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In this specific case we remonstrate against the decision of the Bulgarian Government to change the Concessions Law of the Republic of Bulgaria with the only aim to legalize proven violations of the Concession Contract of the private company (Yulen AD), which manages Bansko Ski Resort in Pirin National Park in Bulgaria. The company has illegally destroyed 64.7 hectares of forest in the park to enlarge the ski zone (which was proven and admitted by the Government). Instead of sanctioning the violator and terminating the concessions contract, the Government wants to make changes in the national legislation in order to legalize the company’s violations.

We consider this a state aid to a private company. Thus we insist that the European Commission and the Petitions Committee at the European Parliament ensure that the democratic principles and European legislation are observed in Bulgaria and the violator (who illegally cut 64.7 hectares of century old forests) is sanctioned instead of being rewarded through changes in the existing Law.