ALDE debate on Natura 2000

Joint ALDE public debate with ALDE/CoR "Natura 2000: an opportunity for or an obstacle to development"

Event date: 16/04/08 15:00 to 19:00
Location: Room ASP 3G3, European Parliament, Brussels

Especially in the new Member States the relationship between Natura 2000 areas and projects funded by the Structural Funds poses questions. Cohesion Fund projects in the field of infrastructure; transport and environment often overlap with NATURA 2000 areas. They are often seen as a constraint, even though there should not be such a contradiction.

In old Member States there are already existing platforms, such as the North Sea Commission (local authorities' platform) which are looking at these types of questions (environment legislation vis-à-vis regional projects and implementation by local authorities).

This seminar will focus on Natura 2000 areas from a regional point of view. The seminar will aim to find solutions on how to deal with the existing "conflicts of interest" related to the Natura 2000 areas, to the benefit of the local communities. Examples of conflicts of interest found in regions (unresolved, persisting and resolved - covering both newer and older Member States) will be presented. We will invite authorities at both local and regional level from various Member States to present their cases. The European Commission and representatives of NGOs will also be invited to contribute to the debate.

The seminar will touch on various areas, such as using water resources, the impact of tourism on nature, the building of residential areas on protected sites and enough time will be provided for debate on the issues.

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For more information:
Ahopelto Anu - Tel: +32 2 283 21 81

On ALDE Website:
http://www.alde.eu/index.php?id=42&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=9260

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