Press Release
Lucien Lux addresses the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Date of release : 02-02-2005

Policy area : Environment Environment

On 2 February 2005, Lucien Lux, Minister for the Environment, presented the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency to the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in Brussels.

During his speech, he drew MEPs’ attention to three topics: the Lisbon strategy, global warming and the LIFE+ financial instrument.

First of all, and in view of the European Commission’s communication on the mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy, Lucien Lux stated that: "We must give the Lisbon process a greener dimension, thereby clarifying and even beefing up the content of its third component, which is the environment. We must also ennoble sustainable development, thanks to a European charter on sustainable development. This will enable us to resolve the confusion that reigns between the Lisbon strategy and the strategy on sustainable development."

With regard to the fight against global warming, Lucien Lux gave out a clear message: "The Luxembourg Presidency will do its utmost to submit to the European spring Council emission reduction strategies, including targets. We must convey a clear and determined message to the heads of state and government."

Finally Lucien Lux also touched on the proposed regulation concerning the LIFE+ financial instrument for the environment, which forms part of the framework of negotiations on the financial perspectives. He underlined that: "environmental protection must have sufficient funds at its disposal. We must safeguard the integrity and the very essence of environmental projects." In this context, Lucien Lux suggested considering the financing of the NATURA 2000 network within the framework of LIFE+.