31/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - Supporting the recommendation made by its rapporteur, the Finn Eija-Riitta Korhola (EPP-ED), the European Parliament approved the draft Directive, stemming from the conciliation procedure with the Council, on public participation during the drafting of certain environmentally related plans and programs. Conciliation allowed the EP to take into account the provisions of the Arhus Convention concerning public participation in the drafting phase of Community legislation (EUROPE of 18 December, p.11). The European Commission also undertook to present in the first quarter 2003, a draft Directive on the implementation of this agreement with regards to access to courts.