Brussels, 30/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Five countries of Central Europe are to create a cross-border biosphere reserve, a natural space created in the framework of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme. On 25 March, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia signed a declaration of intent to do this, at a meeting of the informal Environment Council of Gödöllõ, which was chaired by Sandor Gazekas, the Hungarian Minister for Rural Development (see previous article).
By this official declaration, the five countries undertake to protect their natural heritage along the shores of the rivers Mura, Drava and Danube, which will create the largest protected area in Europe, with a surface area of 800,000 hectares.
“This landmark cross-border agreement is a powerful demonstration of a shared green vision that builds on and reinforces regional cooperation and unity in Europe”, said Jim Leape, Director-General of WWF International. Arno Mohl, coordinator of the Mura-Drava-Danube project for WWF Austria, stressed that “the five countries have agreed to protect an area which is one of the richest in Europe in terms of species diversity”. (A.N/transl.fl).