Reading through the seminar programme, I especially noticed that you have devoted a thematic bloc to the issue of auditing international conventions. Difficult as this may be, these tools need special attention. I look forward to the outcome of the discussions under this thematic bloc with great interest. There has been substantial progress in regional cooperation on environmental issues, for instance through the Nordic cooperation, within the ECE, and through bilateral cooperation. Norway emphasizes assisting the Russian authorities and industry in dealing with the country s environmental problems, problems which left unresolved, constitute a serious threat to other parts of Europe.
Nuclear waste is only one key word here.
In my view, environmental cooperation between the rich countries in Europe and our Eastern neighbours is a good example of how international cooperation can benefit both parties. The OECD s work on environmental issues provides an important analytical basis for environmental policy in member states. You may be interested to know that as part of OECD s ongoing Environmental Performance Review programme, Norway will have her environmental policy examined at a meeting in Paris in July. Resembling environmental auditing, and involving important analytical work into environmental indicators, this programme looks into the difficult field of policy implementation, and we look forward to the OECD s verdict. Over the years the Norwegian Auditor General has strenghtened his efforts to scrutinize Norwegian environmental policy.