FIRST REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONFERENCE BEGINS

STUBICKE TOPLICE, Feb 8 (Hina) - Opening the first regional conference of South Eastern Europe's environmental protection associations in Stubicke Toplice on Friday, Croatian Environmental Protection and Zoning Minister Bozo Kovacevic pointed to the importance of cooperation between his ministry and non- governmental organisations in the protection of the environment. Participating in the three-day conference, organised by the Croatian NGO Green Action, are representatives of, among others, some 40 ecological associations from the region, the UN's environmental protection programme, and a regional environmental protection centre from Budapest. The conference tackles the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, the state of the environment in the region, and the European Union's policy towards the region. The eco-associations have defined a series of issues demanding cooperation on the regional level, for instance the preservation of bio-diversity, eco-agriculture, energy, and the rehabilitation of war-affected areas. Green Action programme coordinator Toni Vidan said the environment of Europe's south-east was well-preserved while the industry was devastated. This conference is a good opportunity to urge the countries in the region to base their economic development on activities which do not pollute the environment, he added. Minister Kovacevic said his ministry held meetings with Croatian NGOs twice a year and responded to all interventions from eco- associations. The ministry and Green Action even cooperate in an action against genetically modified organisms. (hina) ha