EU, eastern partners to step up cooperation on environment, climate action policies

The European Union (EU) and its eastern partner countries adopted a ministerial declaration on Tuesday in Luxembourg confirming their joint commitment to step up cooperation on environmental challenges and climate change, and promote sustainable and inclusive economic development.

It was the first ever formal ministerial meeting on the environment and climate change between the EU and its eastern neighbors, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

According to a statement released by the European Commission, ministers for environment and climate change discussed opportunities for cooperation on environmental governance and the green economy.

"Today we agreed on the need to cooperate in key areas which have a positive impact on citizens' lives and health -- reducing air and water pollution, for example, and creating new jobs through a shift to a green economy," Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs said.

The ministers stressed the need to shift towards the sustainable and integrated management of natural resources and sustainable consumption and production in line with circular economy principles. Meanwhile, they highlighted the opportunities that environmental protection offers the private sector and industry to stimulate economic growth.

Looking at how to bring forward the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the ministers focused their discussion on the question of how eastern partner countries could develop low-emission and climate-resilient economies, including by exploiting the great potential for energy savings in the region.

According to the declaration, the ministers will meet in two years to assess progress on cooperation. In the meantime, an action plan will be drafted and implemented through the Eastern Partnership Panel on Environment and Climate Change. Endit