Brussels, 24/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Integrated, sustainable water management - a priority of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council - and tackling climate change will be the two topics for debate at the informal Council meeting of environment ministers convened by the Presidency in Budapest on 25-26 March. Hungarian Rural Development Minister Sandor Gazekas and National Development Minister Tamas Fellegi will chair the meeting which will be attended by Environment Commissioner Janez Potoènik and Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard.
On Friday 25 March, ministers will debate possible options for reviewing EU water policy. This part of the meeting will be attended by scientists who have been taking part in the conference on the future of European waters (Budapest 23-25 March) organised by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The Presidency's aim is to gather political support for the initiative announced by the Commission “Blueprint for Europe's Waters”, the two Hungarian ministers say in their letter of invitation. They stress the crucial role of water and the implications on climate change and agriculture, and underline the need to increase joint efforts to prevent extreme weather events (droughts, water shortages, floods) which are becoming ever more common.
Saturday 26 March will be devoted to tackling climate change internationally and within the EU. Ministers will debate the implementation of the Cancún accord (COP 16, December 2010), and examine current concerns in international negotiations and the role the EU should play in trying to get a global agreement in Durban in December of this year. This exchange of views will take place the day after the UN high level conference in Mexico on implementation of the Cancún accord and exactly two weeks before the Bangkok ministerial conference (3-8 April) which will provide the first opportunity for governments to meet since Cancún and to establish a work plan.
An exchange of views will also be held on the EU roadmap for a low-carbon economy by 2050, presented by the Commission on 8 March. (A.N./transl.rt)