In May 1992 European Union governments adopted legislation designed to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. This legislation is called the Habitats Directive and complements the Birds Directive adopted in 1979. At the heart of both these Directives is the creation of a network of sites called Natura 2000. There are 6 areas in North Cyprus that are candidate to the Natura 2000. Currently the EU consultants are working on those sites.