RESOLUTION B3-0521/93

The European Parliament,

-having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network, in particular the fourth recital in which the Council affirms that 'it is now appropriate to take the necessary decisions regarding a permanent environmental information and observation system',

-having regard to its resolutions of 14 June 1991 and 10 July 1992 on the failure to decide a seat for the European Environment Agency,

-having regard to the conclusions of the December 1992 European Council meeting in Edinburgh on the seats of Community institutions,

-having regard to the Fifth Environmental Action Programme which was adopted by a Council Resolution at the Environment Council meeting on 15/16 December 1992,

A.whereas almost three years have passed since the Council agreed to the creation of the European Environment Agency and whereas the question of the seat of the Agency is still unresolved,

B.whereas the establishment of the European Environmental Agency is closely linked to successful progress in Community environmental policies as mentioned in the Fifth Environmental Action Programme,

C.whereas the European Environment Agency would be responsible for providing data on the state of the European environment and could thus assist the Commission in working out a 'White Paper on the Environment', setting out detailed measures and a timetable for achieving the goals of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme,

D.whereas there is no reason for further delay in the decision on the seat,

E.whereas there is a serious loss of credibility for the European Community and the Member States regarding Community environmental policies,

1.Expresses its profound disapproval to the European Council for not having decided on the seat of the Agency so far;

2.Emphasizes once again the necessity of establishing the Agency for the reasons mentioned in its previous resolutions;

3.Calls on the European Council to announce a seat as soon as possible, within the period of the current Presidency;

4.Is prepared to use its budgetary powers in order to compel the Council to proceed with the Agency if the seat has not been decided by 1 July 1993;

5.Will not hesitate to censure the Council if it fails to act over this exceptionally serious matter;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council and, in particular, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States.