Public access to environmental information (repeal. Directive 90/313/EEC)

The Commission considers that the common position does not alter the basic approach and aims of the original proposal and that it actually clarifies some aspects thereof. However, in other aspects, the proposal has been weakened and the deadlines for the transposition and for the review procedure have been prolonged. Though in general less ambitious than the original proposal, the text as it now stands is consistent with the provisions of the Aarhus Convention. The Commission can thus broadly support the common position but will be flexible in its approach to second reading.�