Environment, Water and Forests Minister Diana Buzoianu said on Friday in Constanta that Romania’s seaside beaches should not operate like a lawless zone but should instead meet clear standards and offer tourists basic services.

„Romania’s beaches should not resemble the Wild West, they should be civilised, and this is something we can achieve. Tourists should be able to enjoy a set of basic services provided by operators,” the environment minister said at a press conference held on the beach in the Mamaia Nord-Navodari area.

She added that tourists should feel safe and confident that facilities operating on the beach comply with legal requirements, referring to previously identified cases of gas tanks and septic systems that had been buried in the sand on certain beach sectors in the Navodari area without authorisation.

„We support economic development in the area, but it must take place in full compliance with the law, because that ultimately means respect for all citizens. (…) What we are asking is simple: that the legislation be observed,” the minister said.

Diana Buzoianu noted that there are currently no illegal constructions remaining on the beach, and emphasised that the ongoing tenders for leasing beach sectors „will also support fair economic development, in line with legal requirements.”

According to the Ministry of Environment representative, authorities will continue inspections along the entire coastline following the discovery earlier this week of illegal structures buried in the sand.

„In these areas, illegal septic systems buried for terraces that had been set up without authorisation were identified. These terraces had remained in this irregular situation for years. We also had a case of a gas tank identified without proper authorisation. Fortunately, inspections carried out so far have not revealed additional cases of tanks buried on Romania’s beaches, but checks will continue,” Buzoianu said.

She thanked the police, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) and representatives of the Dobrogea-Litoral Water Basin Administration for their involvement in the inspections, stressing the importance of maintaining these controls.

Regarding the ongoing tenders, the minister said there has been strong interest from operators for the beaches in Navodari, with more than 300 applicants for fewer than 60 subsectors.

„The next step, after inspections, is the tenders. This year more operators will be able to participate, and we are already seeing the result: a record number of applicants – more than 300 operators – for fewer than 60 subsectors of beaches in Navodari. Tenders will also be organised in the coming period for the remaining beaches,” she said.

According to Buzoianu, the tender specifications include criteria such as accessibility for persons with disabilities, facilities like internet access for visitors, charging points for electronic devices and the use of natural materials such as reed or wood instead of plastic.

„All these criteria will be taken into account, and the bidders with the most competitive offers will be able to lease these areas for the coming years in Navodari and in other coastal areas where tenders will soon be launched,” the minister added.

During a working visit that also included inspections on the beaches, the minister observed what appeared to be an unauthorised discharge pipe leading into the waters of the Black Sea. She asked authorities to investigate the situation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable under the law.

AGERPRES