The government has established the legal framework for identifying priority areas for biodiversity. The ordinance aligns Romania's legislation with EU rules.

The Romanian government adopted on Friday, in an extraordinary meeting, an emergency ordinance that establishes the legal framework for identifying and protecting 'priority areas for biodiversity', including virgin forests and natural reserves. This measure, part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), aligns national legislation with European Union regulations.

The Government's spokesperson, Ioana Dogioiu, emphasized that the normative act represents an essential first step in establishing these areas, which will be included in a national catalog approved by the Ministry of Environment. The ordinance introduces the concept of 'priority areas for biodiversity' and clarifies the terminology, including the notion of 'strict protection area'.

These areas may include scientific reserves, UNESCO sites, and virgin forests. The implementation of the measure must be carried out according to a strict timeline, with a deadline by August for establishing the protected natural area.