Strasbourg, 08/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament adopting in third reading (EP/Council codecision) the Directive establishing a framework for the Community policy in the field of water, as approved through the Conciliation Committee between the Parliament and Council. In following its rapporteur, the French Socialist Marie-Noelle Lienemann, the Parliament approved the creation of "hydrographic districts" covering rivers and their tributaries. This conciliation was maybe the most difficult that we have had, felt in plenary the British Conservative James Provan, who welcomed the fact that the EU may finally have a binding Directive, and criticised the NGOs who, he said, have tried in an incorrect manner the influence the Parliament's decisions. Let us recall that the European Commission had proposed to apply in this Directive the "polluter/pays" principal, but that several countries, and notably Spain, were opposed.