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- Ελληνικά
Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou met today with the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, Mr Michel Forst, who is visiting Cyprus between 5 - 9 February. Mr Forst is visiting Cyprus as a country party to the Aarhus Convention (UNECE-UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters).
In a statement to media representatives after the meeting, Ms Theodosiou said: "First of all, I would like to thank Mr Forst for his visit to Cyprus and to my Office. The Aarhus Convention consists of three pillars. The first two pillars are already part of the European acquis. The third pillar, which is access to justice, is not a European acquis. We have also discussed this issue. After the conclusion of Mr Forst's visit to Cyprus, I will look forward with great interest and I will study the report that he will make and I will examine, as Environment Commissioner in cooperation with the Environment Department, to what extent and in which areas I can help in the implementation of the provisions and the third pillar in Cyprus, but I will also examine whether civil society needs support, either legally or practically, in the actions and objectives they have for the environment. There will be a workshop on Thursday at which lawyers of citizens and organisations will present cases that have had to go to court, I will see where the difficulties they face, if they face them, and to what extent I could contribute to proposals for change in either legislation or regulations, or both."
For his part, Mr Forst, in his statement to the media, said the following: "First of all I would like to thank the Government [OF CYPRUS] for the invitation, because this is the first invitation I have received from a government for a field visit, that is to spend a few days in the country and hold meetings with the Government, with the House of Representatives, but also with the Environment Commissioner, in order to discuss the situation of Environmental Defenders in Cyprus and to see how, at a global level, the Convention and my competences can be supportive of the Government's actions for We had a very positive discussion with the Commissioner, exchanged information on what is happening in the country and discussed how we can work together further to support the Government's efforts. One of the main conclusions is that further strengthening of understanding of the main provisions of the Convention is needed. It would be useful to provide further training on the two mechanisms that underpin the Convention, namely the Compliance Committee which looks at how States are complying with the provisions of the Convention and the main mechanism for hearing testimonies and complaints from those at risk."
(ASP)
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