Theme of the day of 14 November 2006

Conclusion of the Aarhus Convention discussion

The European Parliament rapporteur on the "Access to information and participation in environmental matters" directive (known as the Aarhus Convention) Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP (EPP-ED, Finland) led a debate on the proposed Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the EC, of an amendment to the Convention this week in Strasbourg.

The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters ("Aarhus Convention"), which provides for the taking into account of public participation in decisions on environmental issues, was signed by the EU and all Member States in June 1998. It guarantees citizens access to environmental information, participation in decision-making and to justice in environmental matters. It entered into force on 30 October 2001. In order to ratify this Convention, the EU had to amend some of its existing legislation.

The long legislative process to apply the provisions of the Aarhus Convention to Community institutions and Community bodies is now over. Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP, Member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety was the main observer of the process on behalf of the European Parliament.

Aarhus Convention

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