1. European Environmental Bureau Bureau Européen de lEnvironnement EU Presidencies Currently: Spain until end June 2010 July-December : Belgium 2011: January - June Hungary July - December Poland Presidencies play an important role in agenda setting, pushing for progress or delaying certain issues, sounding of positions and margin for negotiation in the Member States to be well prepared for the negotiation of compromises

2. European Environmental Bureau EEB activities with Presidencies: General Obviously, as always, EEB is the link between EU and its members! In Brussels EEB plays the role of liaison between Presidencies and European environmental organisations working together in the Green 10, eg organising pre- Council meetings with G10. But of course G10 members have also their own contacts, more varying as they dont work on a broad range of issues as EEB does.

3. European Environmental Bureau EEB activities with Presidencies: Standard publications: Memorandum with the 10 tests, published right at the beginning prepared in cooperation with the EEB members in the country that has the Presidency Assessment on basis of 10 tests at the end of the Presidency Letter to the Troika with EEB priorities for the 3 Presidencies

4. European Environmental Bureau Standard publications (continued): Letter to the Environment Council sent at least weeks prior to the Council meetings, both formal and informal containing EEBs concerns, proposals and expectations on some of the items on the agenda, it usually is a letter with technical details and EEB positions in annex. These letters are also sent to the members to help them in their discussions with ministries. Articles in EEB newsletter Metamorphosis, to announce the Memorandum and with the verdict Press releases

5. European Environmental Bureau Meetings: Early in preparation of the Presidency with Ministers and cabinet staff to discuss priorities, what might be left from previous Presidency, EEBs expectations Meeting with Minister + cabinet right at the beginning of the Presidency either by EEB Board or by G10 delegation Since 2004 EEBs SG is invited to informal Councils, usually together with Board Member of the concerned country

6. European Environmental Bureau Seminars: Often the Presidency co-organises with the EEB or at least co-finances a seminar or conference during the Presidency, normally on one of the priority issues of the Presidency. During the Belgium Presidency will be a Commission/BE conference on EIA (Environmental Impact Assessments) as it is the 25th anniversary of the EIA Directive and an EEB seminar on 7th Environmental Action Programme (EAP)

7. European Environmental Bureau Strong cooperation EEB and its members = EU and national level: Good information exchange and close co- operation between EEB and its members are essential. It is win win EEB is recognised at Council/Ministry level and can facilitate contacts and open doors. Members know the countrys political trends, have better contact to the national media and local politicians

8. Comments from EEB members after the Presidency Lessons learned for NGOs: Get involved as early as possible Follow what is happening during the previous Presidency, what left-overs, unfinished business you can expect Find out what is on the agenda? What are the priorities? Who is in charge of what? Who is a good and open contact person? Are there working groups to prepare the Presidency, are they open to civil society organisations (CSOs), can you participate? What are your capacities? Agree to share tasks European Environmental Bureau

9. Preparatory meetings Internal, national NGO coordination With Brussels based NGOs (EEB, other G10) With government officials Identify interested media and establish contacts Inform public, raise awareness among NGOs and general public With officials try to establish structures for cooperation and information flow Everybody is busy, arrange your meetings well in advance European Environmental Bureau

10. What are your means to get out regular information Special page on your web site with regular up-dates Special section in your magazine Special newsletter 10 Green Tests + Memorandum (translate part of it if you can) and think about how to monitor the 10 Green Tests Media releases European Environmental Bureau