In the present difficult economic situation, environmentally friendly, resource-saving growth may be the way forward for Europe. This was the topic of discussion for Sándor Fazekas at the first meeting of the Union's environment ministers under the Polish presidency in Gdansk.

Several ministers from the Union, including the current Polish EU President Andrzej Kraszewski and Janez Potocnik, member of the European Commission in charge of environmental affairs, congratulated Hungary on the successes achieved during its presidency, which ended a few days ago. They relayed their thanks and recognition for the fact that Hungary was able to significantly further Europe's common issues, including within the area of environmental protection.

The Union's ministers stood by the decision to issue the European Union's new, seventh environmental action programme as soon as possible. Previous action programmes have lead to significant advances in the protection of public health and in the improvement of the state of our environment, such as better air quality, the protection of water resources and the stricter regulation of chemicals.

The green economy can only be successful if it is based on sufficient knowledge, and therefore research and development is of prime importance. European Commissioner Janez Potocnik urged for green innovation in amongst others the energy, transport and agricultural sectors. In the interests of these, he also stressed the need for longer-term instruments for funding with the assumption of greater risks. The majority of those who took the floor agreed there is a need to validate ecological requirements within the policies of the various sectors and that this viewpoint must be further enforced in the European Union's next budget.

Several Member States drew attention to the fact that Europe's resources are limited and so it must choose the route it takes out of the economic crisis wisely. Products and services must be generated as efficiently as possible and the waste unavoidably created must be recycled if possible. The European Commission is scheduled to release its document on the principles behind a resource-efficient Europe in September 2011, which the 27 Member States are to discuss with the guidance of the Polish presidency.

Poland is intensively continuing the work begun by the Hungarian presidency. At the Gdansk meeting, the Member States succeeding in reaching a consensus on the main issues with regard to the basic principles and goals required for the establishment of the green economy.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)