Brussels, 17/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The conclusions adopted by the Environment Council following the informal meeting this weekend in Porto (see EUROPE of 15 April, p.9) outlines the importance that these EU environment Ministers want, in the future, to grant to the promotion of sustainable urban development in the EU. Recognising that this is a case of a policy priority for the worst of Community sustainable development strategy, capable of answering the European citizens preoccupations, it says it is ready to increase its efforts to make urban development a separate component of EU environmental policy and take measures to favour "an integrated policy for sustainable cities" at all the appropriate levels. They feel it is opportune to register urban development as a key intervention area, requiring a horizontal approach, in the sixth action programme for the environment and sustainable development so as to promote the implementation of environmental, economic and social policies integrated into the urban environment. EUROPE will return to this at a later date.