site.btaMaritime Space, Inland Waterways and Ports Act Revised Conclusively

Bulgaria's Parliament on Thursday passed conclusively a bill amending and supplementing the Maritime Space, Inland Waterways and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria Act. 

According to the revisions, the terms and procedure for designation of the areas, the sustainable development during dredging and the exercise of control over the designated areas are established by an ordinance of the Minister of Transport and Communications issued in consultation with the Minister of Environment and Water.

Under the amended version of the law, an applicant in a proceeding for the consideration, adoption and approval of a draft master plan for a public transport port will no longer be obliged to accompany the application with documents certifying the implementation of procedures under the Environmental Protection Act and the Biological Diversity Act and will only have to state the number, date and authority which issued the individual administrative act concerned.

A public register of port operators will be kept under terms and according to a procedure established by an ordinance issued by the Minister of Transport and Communications. Entry in the register is a condition for the provision of port services. An applicant with registered office in another EU Member State will be required to accompany the application with written evidence that they are a merchant established in another EU Member State, are not subject to pending winding-up proceedings or similar procedure under their national law, is not subject in pending bankruptcy proceedings or similar procedure under their national law, has not be adjudicated bankrupt, does not incur liabilities for taxes or social security contribution according to the law of their State of establishment. 

Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria said they will not back the revisions because the bill regulates yet again a special case. For their part, GERB-UDF said they will support the draft legislation that has already been approved by the parliamentary Transport and Communications Committee.