Brussels, 17/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - “Forests, wood and energy” and “forests and water” are the main themes at the fifth ministerial conference on forest protection in Europe (Warsaw, 5-7 November), jointly organised by Poland and Norway. The European Commission will represent the EU at this conference, which is expected to adopt two resolutions. This Europe-wide meeting is also expected to produce two ministerial declarations: one on the organisation of a European forest week in 2008; the other on forest fires.
In a communication on 12 October, adopted in written procedure, the Commission underlined the European Community's interest in participating in this conference dedicated to European level implementation of the international commitments made at the United Nations conference on the environment and development (Rio de Janeiro, June 1992) and more recently during the world summit on sustainable development (Johannesburg, 2002). It also points out that the objectives of the conference comply with the EU's forestry strategy and are based on increased coordination and cooperation (between the Commission and member states and between member states) in all policies impacting on the forestry sector. (A.N.)