Brussels, 04/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - Stavros Dimas, who was environment commissioner in the first Barroso Commission, received the Twelve Stars Award in Brussels on Thursday 4 March. This award, presented by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Europe's largest federation of environmental organisations, is in recognition of his “exceptional work for Europe's environment and sustainable development”.
Handing the award to Stavros Dimas, EEB President Mikael Karlsson said: “This award is in recognition of the fact that Stavros Dimas has been the most open and accessible commissioner ever for both the EEB and local NGOs. Most importantly, he listened and acted: his proactive work to strengthen biodiversity and his dedication to fighting climate change are testament to this”. The EEB pays tribute to the role played by the commissioner in European and international climate policy, mainly by introducing the emissions trading scheme. It praised him for his determination to fight any attempt to weaken legislation on biodiversity protection. An example of his determination to challenge violations of the legislation was his refusal to accept the highway through the Rozpuda valley in Poland, the EEB said, also stressing Dimas' persistent defence of REACH (EU's chemical policy). (A.N./transl.jl)