The status of UNESCO geopark will be awarded for a limited period of four years, with rigorous periodic evaluations to make sure high standards of management and local involvement are kept up, the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Forestry (MMAP) announced on Tuesday.

The Romanian government has recently passed, at the proposal of the MMAP, a draft Emergency Ordinance amending and supplementing Emergency Ordinance 57/2007 on the regime of protected natural areas, which clarifies the status of geoparks, in accordance with the regulations and practice of UNESCO's International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme.

'We have eliminated a legislative confusion that has blocked valuable local initiatives for years. UNESCO Geoparks do not mean additional restrictions for communities, but real opportunities for development, education and international visibility. Under this ordinance, we concretely unblock the designation process and send a clear signal to the local administrations: Romania actively supports these projects that should not be made hostage to bureaucracy,' according to Minister of the Environment, Water and Forestry Diana Buzoianu.

The legislative amendment comes as a result of the proposals advocated by the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO and the National Forum of Geoparks in Romania and tackles a real problem identified locally: the inclusion of geoparks in the category of protected natural areas has generated erroneous interpretations of possible restrictions on land use.

'These perceptions have led, in some cases, to the opposition of local public governments and to the blocking of some initiatives to designate geoparks at international level. Under the new regulation, geoparks are defined in accordance with UNESCO standards, as territories where geological heritage is capitalised together with natural and cultural heritage, to support the sustainable development of local communities. Therefore, they are not protected natural areas. The status of UNESCO geopark is awarded for a limited period of four years, with rigorous periodic evaluations to make sure high standards of management and local involvement are kept up,' the ministry said.

With the new legislative initiative, MMAP creates the necessary conditions for the restart and acceleration of steps to designate new UNESCO geoparks in Romania, contributing to local economic development, increasing tourist attractiveness and promoting natural and cultural heritage at international level. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Daniel Badea; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)