European Environment Ministers, meeting on Wednesday 26 June in Luxembourg, all welcomed the country-by-country review of the implementation of EU environmental policy during a policy debate on the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR).
Most delegations had replied in writing to questions from the Romanian Presidency on this tool to help Member States improve their environmental performance (see EUROPE 12274/16).
The Commission presented its second EIR report last April, with recommendations for all Member States (see EUROPE 12230/11).
All considered that the EIR helps them to better identify and address their shortcomings, to identify good practices and to aim at better compliance with the requirements of EU environmental legislation.
Some delegations made detailed interventions on the difficulties they face in implementing EU legislation, in particular in the fields of energy, agriculture and transport.
The European Commission has indicated that it will take into account the comments and suggestions made in preparing the next evaluation round. The next EIR review report on common trends in Member States and country-specific trends and recommendations is planned for 2021. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)