Press Releases
[Press release] Environmental NGOs Reaction to the New Cohesion Policy Regulations for 2007-2013
 Kresna Gorge in Bulgaria - Natura 2000 protected area |
A coalition of environmental NGOs sent today an open letter to the European Commission, expressing their first reaction to the Commission's proposed regulations for Structural Funds and instruments for 2007-2013. These environmental NGOs welcome the inclusion of sustainable development as an overarching purpose for the Structural Funds. However, sustainable development and the protection and enhancement of the environment have to be made explicit in the detail of the regulations otherwise the principles will be neglected in practice.
In particular, they:
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Demand coherent integration of environmental protection and improvement across all relevant articles
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Strongly recommend the inclusion of competent environmental authorities
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Oppose the special promotion of 'major projects'
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Insist on sufficient funding for Natura 2000
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Propose a wider scope for supporting the Water Framework Directive
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Recommend that the Community performance reserve rewards contributions to EU sustainable development objectives
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Unanimously call on the Commission to withhold Funds if environmental laws are breached
For further information:
Rachel Lee
BirdLife International/RSPB
tel: +44 1767 680551
Magda Stoczkiewicz
CEE Bankwatch/Friends of the Earth Europe
tel: +31 652 41 03 23
Stefanie Lang
WWF EPO
tel: +32 2 7438800
CEE Bankwatch Network gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.