Resolution of the Committee of the Regions on the 'Charter of the European Regions for the Environment (the Valencia Charter)` (97/C 215/10)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Bureau decision of 15 January 1997 instructing Commission 5 to draw up a resolution on the 'Charter of the European Regions for the Environment (the Valencia Charter)`;

having regard to the draft resolution approved by Commission 5 on 6 February 1997 (rapporteur: Mr Giménez);

1. whereas on 21 November 1995 the highest political representatives for the environment of 57 regions of the European Union met in Valencia and approved the text of a Charter of the European Regions for the Environment;

2. whereas since that date more than 70 regional ministers for the environment (or their political equivalents, depending on the region concerned), representing virtually all Member States, have signed up to the principles set out in the charter;

3. whereas the charter mentions the fundamental role which the regions must play not only in the implementation but also in the framing of EU environmental policy; and whereas it stresses the need, when formulating environmental policies at both national and EU level, to take account of the differing initial regional situations;

4. whereas the charter also contains a commitment by the regional governments, in their areas of implementation, to the basic objective of conserving, protecting and improving the environment, an objective which they undertake to incorporate in all their sectoral policies and in pursuit of which they will use all the instruments available to them;

5. whereas the Committee of the Regions must consider issues where regional interests come into play; and whereas a document such as the Valencia Charter, which is the fruit of lengthy negotiation and study, provides a detailed expression of the regions' essential interests, aspirations and commitments regarding the environment;

6. whereas for these reasons it is necessary that the Committee of the Regions issue a statement on the abovementioned document;

has adopted the following resolution:

The Committee of the Regions,

espouses the content of the Charter of the European Regions for the Environment (the Valencia Charter);

calls upon the Member States and institutions of the European Union to take account of the principles set out in the charter when they frame their respective environmental policies.

Brussels, 13 March 1997.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Regions

Pasqual MARAGALL i MIRA