EU/Greece, Albania and FYROM Agreement: Protection and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park Area
PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park Area (protected area shared by Greece, Albania and FYROM).
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy ("the EU Water Framework Directive"), where river basins extend beyond the territory of the Union, Member States should endeavour to establish appropriate coordination with the relevant non-Member States, with the aim of achieving the objectives of the Directive throughout the river basin district.
On 27 June 2006, the Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission, on behalf of European Community, to negotiate the conclusion of international river basin agreements to improve cooperation in European river basins shared between certain Member States and third countries.
The Prespa Lakes and their surroundings are a unique natural area with high ecological significance, which can only be preserved through a holistic approach at basin level.
An Agreement on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park Area has been negotiated by the European Commission, Greece, Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and constitutes an upgrade of the existing cooperation in the area, while holding the potential to contribute to the successful implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.
It is now appropriate to conclude this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.
LEGAL BASE: Article 192(1), in conjunction with point (a) of Article 218(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
CONTENT: with this draft decision, the Agreement on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park Area is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.
For further details on the content of this Agreement please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 25/10/2010.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal has no implications for the Union’s budget.