Transcript Slide 1
Experience of the International and EU
based organisations on influence of the
EU environmental policy
Mara Silina
European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
***
Regional training on policy analysis with special
accent on EU approximation
26 – 29 May 2014 in Becici/Budva, Montenegro
“
Example: The Aarhus
Convention in the EU
• The Aarhus Convention – signed by the EC in June
1998
• EC ratifies it in 2005
• Adjustments to the legislation on 3 pillars of the
Convention:
• Access to Information – Directive 2003/4/EC
• Public participation – Directive 2003/35/EC
• Access to Justice – Proposal for Directive
2003/624/EC
4
• Regulation N° 1367/2006 of the European Parliament
and of the Council on the application of the provisions
of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information,
Public Participation in Decision-making and Access
to Justice in Environmental Matters to Community
institutions and bodies posal for Directive
2003/624/EC
5
“Bumpy” road to the Access to
Justice in the EU
Proposal discussed with different stakeholders
EP – first reading with a lot of amendments
Council – could not agree and proposal frozen since
2003
EEB (NGOs) continuously ask for renewed
discussions and decision on AtoJ Directive
Seemingly fresh start in 2013 during the Irish EU
Presidency
EC consultation “Consultation on Access to justice
in environmental matters – options for improving
6
access to justice at Member State level” – fall 2013
“Bumpy” road to the Access to
Justice in the EU
• Favourable result but blocked again in interservice
consultations
• Mobilising some MEPs to request the EC come with the new
proposal – will this happen?
• Formal withdrawal of the 2003 proposal – last week!!!
• “A new legislative proposal in this area is urgently needed, not only
to create a more democratic Europe, not only to improve the
implementation of environmental law, not only to create a more level
playing field for business but also in order to ensure that the EU is
fully in compliance with its obligations under international law,
namely the Aarhus Convention.” - quote from EEB’s press release
7
on 23 May 2014
Thank you!
Want to know more or join in the work –
please contact me:
[email protected]
Tel.: +32 2 289 10 90
Fax: +32 2 289 10 99
http://www.eeb.org
8