The European Commission (EC) has threatened Bulgaria with retributive action if the country fails to lift the ban on sale of agricultural land to foreigners starting 2014.
The EC spokesperson stated that if Bulgaria wishes to extend the moratorium past 2013, it would have to receive the approval of all remaining 27 EU states, reports the Bulgarian National Radio.
The EC says it is ready to assist Bulgaria with any procedural challenges concerning the liberalization of its market.
Earlier this month, PM Plamen Oresharski said extending the moratorium would be unpractical and breach agreements with the EU.
On the other hand, the nationalist Ataka party and the opposition center-right GERB have expressed their desires to extend the ban until 2020, by submitting a proposal in Parliament.