05/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – On 5 October, the European Parliament approved by a large majority (554 votes in favour, 127 against) the provisional political agreement that was reached with the Council of the EU in July on amending Regulation (EC) No. 1367/2006 in order to improve public access to justice in environmental matters and to comply with the international Aarhus Convention, which it transposes (see EUROPE 12768/3). The result of interinstitutional negotiations, the text will give citizens, and not just NGOs, the right to challenge EU administrative acts in court, with the exception, for the time being, of State aid decisions. Before the vote, rapporteur Christian Doleschal (Germany, EPP) had welcomed “a balanced compromise between civic participation and economic viability”. The European Parliament’s approval at first reading paves the way for the amended regulation to be adopted by the Council of the EU this Wednesday (see EUROPE 12804/14). (AN)