Strategic issues - European union

The European Union Council has adopted the decision to ratify the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. Strategies will be set up to protect coastal areas and there will be strict conditions for certain coastal uses, including stricter control of developments in coastal areas; the establishment of a zone where new building will not be allowed; and an obligation to take risk to the environment into account in urban planning. The Commission has proposed that the EU ratify an agreement to protect the sustainable development of the Prespa Park area in south-east Europe. The Water Framework Directive obliges Member States to protect and restore all bodies of ground water and surface-water to achieve good status by 2015 at the latest and requires Member States to publish a management plan for each river district at the latest nine years after the legislation enforcement.