EC to sue Bulgaria over river basins management

The European Commission on February 7 decided to refer Bulgaria and 5 other member states (Ireland, Spain, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia) to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failure to finalise the revision of their river basin management plans, as required under the Water Framework Directive and/or of their flood risk management plans as required under the Floods Directive.

The Water Framework Directive focuses on ensuring good qualitative and quantitative health of European water bodies, such as rivers and lakes. It aims to reduce and remove pollution as well as ensure that there is enough water to support at the same time human needs and wildlife.

Under the Water Framework Directive, Member States must update and report their river basin management plans every six years. These plans, which include a programme of measures, are key to ensure good status or potential of all water bodies as required by the Directive. Under the Floods Directive, Member States must also update and report their flood risk management plans every six years.

The Commission sent letters of formal notice in February 2023, followed by reasoned opinions in September 2023 to all countries that had failed to update and review these plans, the statement of the EC reads.

Despite some progress, six countries still fail to comply with their obligations under either or both Directives:

• Spain, Malta and Portugal have still not fully reported their third river basin management plans and second flood risk management plans;
• Bulgaria and Ireland have still not fully reported third river basin management plans;
• Slovakia has still not fully reported the second flood risk management plans.

The Commission considers that efforts by the authorities have, to date, been insufficient and is therefore referring Bulgaria, Ireland, Spain, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the statement further says.

Other infringement decisions against Bulgaria are in the following areas:

Justice

The European Commission has decided to open infringement proceedings by sending an additional letter of formal notice to Bulgaria for failing to fully transpose into its national law the Directive on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings.

Energy

The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Bulgaria for failing to comply with the obligations to notify certain information to the Commission set out in the EU Regulation to safeguard security of gas supply.