97/150/EC: Commission Decision of 24 February 1997 on the setting- up of a European consultative forum on the environment and sustainable development (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 24 February 1997 on the setting-up of a European consultative forum on the environment and sustainable development (Text with EEA relevance) (97/150/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Whereas in the Resolution of 1 February 1993 on a Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development (1), the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council approved the approach and general strategy of the programme 'Towards Sustainability` presented by the Commission;
Whereas the programme provided for in the setting-up of a general consultative forum bringing together representatives from the sectors of production, the business world, regional and local authorities, professional associations, unions and environmental and consumer organizations;
Whereas Commission Decision 93/701/EC (2) set up a General Consultative Forum on the environment;
Whereas the Forum contained a balanced number of representatives from the various sectors concerned; whereas its members were appointed by the Commission in the light of recommendations from organizations representing each sector concerned at Community level;
Whereas the Forum has proved to be a successful body in advising the Commission on aspects of both sustainable development and environment policies;
Whereas the Forum has been a place of consultation and dialogue between the representatives of the said sectors and the Commission;
Whereas in the light of the success of the Forum in developing dialogue, there is a need to reinforce its public profile and to give it a more independent role;
Whereas it is appropriate to appoint an independent chairman and to change its title;
Whereas the problems of the environment require a higher degree of involvement of closely associated countries in Europe and there is therefore a need to make provision for the involvement of participants from EEA countries and the associated countries;
Whereas for reasons of clarity, Decision 93/701/EC should be replaced,