Council Decision
of 11 June 1981
on the conclusion of the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution
(81/462/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [1],
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee [2],
Whereas the aim of the Community environment policy as stated in the Declaration of the Council of the European Communities and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting in the Council of 22 November 1973 on the programme of action of the European Communities on the environment [3], supplemented by the resolution of the Council of the European Communities and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of 17 May 1977 on the continuation and implementation of a European Community policy and action programme on the environment [4], namely the improvement of the quality and setting of life, of the surroundings and living conditions of the peoples of the Community, implies, in particular, preventing, reducing and as far as possible, eliminating pollution and nuisances as well as seeking common solutions to environmental problems with States outside the Community, particularly in international organizations;
Whereas one of the principles of the said environment policy is that, in accordance with the declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment adopted in Stockholm in 1972, care should be taken to ensure that activities carried out in one State do not cause any degradation of the environment in another;
Whereas the Community participated in the negotiations, within the framework of the Economic Commission for Europe, of a Convention and resolution on long-range transboundary air pollution;
Whereas on 14 November 1979 the Community signed the Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution and approved the resolution on long-range transboundary air pollution in which the signatories to the Convention decided to initiate the provisional implementation of the Convention, within the framework of the Economic Commission for Europe on an interim basis, and undertook to carry out the obligations of the Convention to the maximum extent possible pending its entry into force;
Whereas the Community's participation in the implementation of this Convention is necessary in order to attain one of the objectives of the Community; whereas the necessary powers are not provided for by the provisions of the Treaty other than Article 235;
Whereas the Community will participate in the implementation of the said Convention by exercising its competence as resulting from the existing common rules as well as those acquired as a result of future acts adopted by the Council, and by using the results of Community actions (research, exchange of information) in the fields concerned;
Whereas it is necessary for the Community to that extent to conclude the said Convention,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution is hereby approved on behalf of the European Economic Community.
The texts of the said Convention and of the resolution on long-range transboundary air pollution are annexed to this Decision.
Article 2
The President of the Council shall deposit the act as provided for in Article 15 of the Convention [5].
Done at Luxembourg, 11 June 1981.