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PRESS RELEASE (Brussels, 2 July, 2007) - EEB, Europe's largest federation of environmental citizens' organisations, today issued its 'Ten Green Tests' for Portugal's six-month Presidency of the European Union, which began on 1 July. EEB has set these benchmark tests for each Presidency since 1998, following them up with an end-of-term performance assessment at each Presidency's conclusion. EEB's Ten Green Tests form part of an extended memorandum to the Portuguese Presidency, drawn up by EEB's staff and Portuguese NGO members, presenting their principal ideas and most urgent demands. This memorandum will be published in the second week of July. "The Portuguese Presidency is prioritising some important issues, such as biodiversity, water scarcity, and the marine environment. EEB supports these priorities, but we want to see tangible results which have an impact well beyond this six-month Presidency. Our Ten Green Tests reflect that," said John Hontelez, EEB's Secretary General. Perhaps not surprisingly, climate and energy issues are again high on the EU's agenda. EEB believes that EU Member States must agree to share the burden on general targets for greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy promotion which they agreed at the March European Council. But EEB seeks a breakthrough at international level, with a firm agreement by parties to the UN Climate Convention to start negotiations on post-Kyoto targets. EEB is also keen to see progress on pending environmental legislation, such as Directives on air quality and soil protection, and pesticides legislation, on which some countries have expressed strong doubts about their willingness to proceed. The Ten Tests begin with a call for a robust review of the EU's Sustainable Development Strategy, which is on the December European Council's agenda. EEB wants this to result in major environmental fiscal reform, and a review of the objectives of the Lisbon Process. The text of the Ten Tests is available on EEB's website: http://www.eeb.org/publication/300607-ten-tests-Portugese-Presidency.pdf. The extended Memorandum to the Portuguese Presidency gives a fuller account of EEB's position on these issues and will be posted on the website next week. For further information please contact:-
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