Last week at the session of Ministrers of Enviromental Protection in Brussels Mr. Janez Potoćnik praised the Hungarian Presidensy’s hard work and pointed out that as a result of this they could agree on a law regulating the collecting and recycling of electronic waste.

The Commissioner stressed that this succes is particulary important because during the past two and a half years they could’t even come close to an agreement. The modified guideline will take effect in 2012 according to plans.

Brussels is ready to give four years of preparation time for the member states - till 2016 -to reach the increased ratio. Some member states were supporting the Hungarian Presidency’s proposals according to which not four, but six, moreover eight years are necessary for the transition. That is the ratio of 65% should be achieved by 2020.

The Commissioner briefed us to preserve the diversity of widelife and he explained that the union’s action plan will be most likely approved during the Hungarian Presidency.

The Minister explaned that this subject is particulary important for Hungary and it will be discussed during the Enviromental Protection Council’s Meeting attended by all the Ministers on the 17 June.

Tomorrow at Gödöllö Mr. Janez Potoćnik is going to attend and give a talk at the summit of the Ministers of European Enviromental Protection. The informal meeting’s central topic will be the future of Europe’s water-supply.

In order to provide a scientific platform for this issue the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Rural Development organized jointly an international conference today. The protection of our water supply is a strategic issue and is becoming more and more sensitive due to the increasing world population and the increasing demand for water. This problem can be handled only by joint European action.

The economic management of water supplies is an integral part of the commitee’s goals concerning sustainable energy. The same applies to soil, natural resources, services provided by wide life besides our water supply.

(Ministry of Rural Development, Press Office)