Brussels, 08/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the financial aspects of environmental protection in the candidate countries. It examines the financial difficulties to which they will be confronted, in order to conform to EU environmental legislation and provides advice on the best ways to overcome them. The Communication notably recommends that the candidate countries prepare priority investment strategies. It also proposes criteria to take into consideration when setting the priorities and encourage the countries concerned to mobilise all its sources of financing available to best exploit the scarce resources. EUROPE will return to this Communication at a later date.