The authorities and foreign donors held a panel discussion centering on the implementation of the strategic environmental assessment, both in Moldova and the other Eastern Partnership countries, for developing sustainable economy and for protecting the environment. The event forms part of the EU-funded program “Greening Economies in the Eastern Neighborhood” (EaP GREEN), IPN reports.
Minister of the Environment Sergiu Palihovici said that Moldova faces numerous environment-related problems. Three steps need to be taken in the context of the European integration process – harmonization of the legislation, adoption of the regulatory framework and ensuring of the investments needed in this area. The European integration will offer Moldova the investments and support needed for improving the state of the environment.
The goal of the strategic environmental assessment is to make sure that the effects of particular programs on the environment are assessed before these programs are adopted. Christian Bach, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, said that a set of sustainable development policies on such countries as Moldova is to be agreed in New York in September. The authorities must plan very well any change, especially as regards towns, so as to ensure a non-noxious environment as it is known that such serious diseases as cancer are caused first of all by a polluted environment. All the neighboring states should join efforts to protect the environment. “It’s not enough to clean up your home only, if the neighbors’ water in polluted and reaches your rivers,” stated Christian Bach.
Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola noted that the EaP GREEN is a program designed to help the countries from the Eastern neighborhood of the EU to switch over to green economy. One of the goals of this program is to promote the implementation of the environmental assessment so that the authorities can adopt sustainable development policies. The responsibility for assessing the environment is borne by the governmental departments and national agencies. For the program to be successful, everyone must realize its importance.
