Dialogue with President Barroso and NGOs on sustainable development

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso will today meet with leading environmental and health NGOs in Brussels to discuss the EU's sustainable development agenda. The NGOs participating in the dialogue will include The World Wildlife Fund, The European Environmental Bureau, Friends of the Earth and The European Public Health Alliance - Environment Network. These organisations form part of the G9, a group of Brussels based environmental and health NGOs.

Key issues to be discussed at the meeting will include: the role of sustainable development in key Commission initiatives such as the Lisbon Strategy and the Financial Perspectives; sending the right market signals using environmental tax reform and the removal of environmentally harmful subsidies to promote eco-innovations and reduce environmental impacts; and the widespread support shown in opinion polls for EU level action on environment and development.

Speaking before the meeting President Barroso said : "This is an essential dialogue and I am delighted to be involved. The future of the EU does not just hinge on growth, but also on protecting the European social model and protecting the environment. All three have the same goal - improving citizen's living conditions and welfare. Through effective partnerships with industry, trade unions, NGOs and consumer interests, the EU can turn the need to protect the environment and for social cohesion into opportunities for innovation, job creation and growth."

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