Representatives of Bulgarian environmental organizations called on PM Sergey Stanishev to take action in order to stop the illegal resort construction in the Rila Mountain.

The two organizations "Citizens for Rila" and "Eco Rila" held a joint press conference on Tuesday stating that Stanishev must do the necessary to include the "Rila Buffer" Zone in the EU NATURA 2000 network of protected territories.

Vasil Kadrinov, a representative of the eco-activists, expressed his hopes that stronger measures for the protection of the Rila Mountain would be adopted after the European Commission discussed the NATURA 2000 Network in Bulgaria during its Wednesday's sitting in Brussels.

"It is this very government headed by PM Stanishev that bears the responsibility for the establishment of the NATURA 2000 Network in Bulgaria and the protection of the territories included in it", Kadrinov said.

He announced that the construction of eight ski resorts in the Rila Mountain had been planned, which would surround it from all sides, including the construction of a ski lift at the site of the Seven Rila Lakes.

"All of this is totally illegal. If these projects are realized, the Rila Mountain will be completely destroyed", Kadrinov stated adding those who wanted to destroy it enjoyed political protection.

The eco-activists protested against the illegal construction in Rila during the visit of the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso to Sofia on March 28.

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