January 27, 2011, Budapest – CEEweb for Biodiversity organized a workshop to provide cooperation forum to the civil society and to create common messages in terms of conservation. On the event, the representative of the Rural Ministry also took part besides various NGOs from all over Hungary. The international event, where NGO co-workers from the previous EU presidency’s host countries also participated, provided opportunities to the Hungarian civil society to get to know the work and tasks of the organizations and to use this knowledge for the Hungarian lobby activities.
The Rural Development Ministry’s representative, Ditta Greguss said ’We find it important that the EU Post 2010 Biodiversity Strategy should be accepted during the Hungarian Presidency in June during the Environmental Council’s meeting.’
Many Hungarian NGOs participated actively in the workshop. During the presentations, the Spanish and the Belgian experience were showed along with the preparation works of the Polish Presidency from the conservation perspective.
’Conservation NGOs have a very specific position in contrast to the decision-makers. Organizations do not need to represent lobby and party interests, therefore, their conscience is clear. They could suggest the most adequate solutions to save biodiversity that is the key to the existence of the residents. Thus, the presidency should listen to them’ stated Péter Lenkei, Clean Air Action Group.
The plenary topics covered the financing of Natura 2000, Green infrastructure and the Resource Efficiency Flagship Initiative. Related to these subjects, the NGOs formed common opinions to be represented to the decision-makers, which were demonstrated in various points at the end of the day. The messages will be finalized this week and send around one more time to provide the opportunity for further comments.
’The success of the presidency is largely depending on the sufficient civil cooperation. Therefore, the today kicked-off process should be further strengthened and should be expanded to international level’ said Veronika Kiss, CEEweb, the programme coordinator of the project.
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