The Council of environment ministers, chaired by the Greek Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yannis Maniatis, was concluded  in Brussels today (3.3.2014). Commissioners for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard, Environment Janez Potočnik, and Health Tonio Borg, participated in the Council. 

The Council held a public policy debate on a Commission communication for a 2030 framework for climate and energy policy. Ministers agreed that the debate on the Commission's proposal for a 2030 framework was necessary, as investors, businesses and citizens want clarity and predictability with regard to future climate and energy policies. In addition, ministers underlined the need to prepare for the international negotiations for a new, global agreement on climate change. "The proposed 2030 policy framework is a sound basis for discussion. Today, we had a very interesting and useful first round of exchange of views with Environment ministers that will be continued tomorrow with our Energy colleagues," said the president of the Council, Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yannis Maniatis.

The presidency will report on the outcome of the ministerial discussion to the President of the European Council with a view to the European Council meeting of 20-21 March 2014.

The Council held a public exchange of views on the draft regulation amending directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for member states to restrict or prohibit the cultivation, in all or part of their territory, of genetically modified organisms that have been authorised at EU level.

"We got a strong mandate, almost unanimous, to move forward with the new compromise proposal of the Presidency in order to reach a political agreement as soon as possible, according to the will of the strong majority of the European citizens," said minister Maniatis.

The exchange of views confirmed the member states' willingness to re-open discussions on this legislative proposal. The Greek presidency will convene a first experts meeting to examine the proposal on 13 March 2014. The presidency aims to reach a political agreement and prepare the adoption of this important legislation by the end of 2014.

Ministers also held a debate on the Annual Growth Survey 2014, which forms part of all relevant Council deliberations in preparation for the Spring European Council on 20 and 21 March. Ministers focused the debate in particular on how to improve the uptake of green economy priorities in national reform programmes and in the overall semester cycle.

"The European semester offers an excellent opportunity for the Environment Council to advance with its long-standing objective to integrate climate and environmental actions in the economic and fiscal decision-making process to achieve a sustainable economic growth" said the minister.

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