The Commission adopts a communication on environmental policy and economic development policy
The European Commission has recently adopted a communication to the Council and the European Parliament on 'Integrating environment and sustainable development into economic and development cooperation policy'. It is intended as a contribution to the ongoing process of integrating environmental considerations into key EU policies as required by the Amsterdam Treaty. 'Environmental aspects of development cooperation cannot be viewed separately from the overall EU policy framework', says the Commission. 'Policy development through EU development cooperation and other policy issues will be fostered through more systematic analysis of environmental issues', it continued, emphasising that it will give particular attention to the links between poverty and the environment. The communication puts a strong emphasis on global environmental issues, such as climate change, desertification and biodiversity, which are of concern to both developing and developed countries. It also includes enhanced environmental integration and assessment procedures for all cooperation activities, from the policy level down to individual projects. The Commission intends this communication to lay down the basis for a harmonised approach to environmental integration across all developing countries.