COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 6 May 1994 on a Community strategy, for integrated coastal-zone management (94/C 135/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

RECALLS its resolution of 25 February 1992 on the future Community policy concerning the European coastal zone (1);

UNDERLINES once more the need for a Community strategy for the integrated management and development of coastal zones, based on the principles of sustainability and sound ecological and environmental practice;

RECALLS that such a strategy is also provided for under the fifth Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development (2), which singles out coastal zone management and conservation as a priority matter, and EMPHASIZES in this connection that this task should be undertaken in a spirit of responsibility-sharing;

WELCOMES the progress already made by several Member States at national level towards the implementation of an integrated coastal zone management strategy;

RECOGNIZES also the contribution that a number of existing Community measures, including the implementation of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (3), Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (4) and Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (5) together with the use of certain appropriate financial instruments, could make to such a strategy;

RENEWS its invitation to the Commission to propose within six months at the latest, with a view to strengthening coordinated action in this area and in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, a Community strategy for the integrated management of the whole of the Community coastline that, while taking account of the specific problems and potential of the diffrent zones, will provide a framework for its conservation and sustainable use;

UNDERTAKES to examine such a proposal as soon as it is submitted as a matter of priority and with a view to introducing possible additional Community action;

INVITES the Member States to strengthen their own efforts with a view to further increasing the protection of coastal zones throughout the Community.

(1) OJ No C 59, 6. 3. 1992, p. 1.

(2) OJ No C 138, 17. 5. 1993, p. 1.

(3) OJ No L 103, 25. 4. 1979, p. 1.

(4) OJ No L 175, 5. 7. 1985, p. 40.

(5) OJ No L 206, 22. 7. 1992, p. 7.