Madrid, 10 January 2010 – The Spanish EU presidency, whose term started on January 1st 2010, has outlined a set of green priorities that are to be tackled during the coming 6 month period. While the economic crisis and the transitioning into the Lisbon treaty which has come into force are the main priorities of the presidency, environmental matters are prominently figuring in the agenda.
The environmental priorities outlined include EU’s post COP15 climate strategy, biodiversity conservation and energy efficiency; as well as continuing the ongoing debates on the WEEE and RoHS and IPPC directives.
Apart from those, the presidency is trying to broker a deal in the council on the soil directive. Efforts are also being directed to ensure that a 15 July deadline for implementing the marine strategy framework directive is met. It also plans to launch a high-level debate on the EU’s biodiversity policy beyond 2010 and help member states prepare their renewables action plans which are due in June.
Based on the agenda released, environment ministers will meet in Seville on 15-16 January to discuss the December 15 climate summit’s outcome. They will also meet on 15 March in Brussels and on 21 June in Luxembourg.