Taraba Agrees with OECD Report on Slovakia's Environmental Performance

Bratislava, April 18 (TASR) - Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) said on Thursday that he agrees with the OECD's assessment of the environmental performance of Slovakia, opining that the report is critical and fair. "After 13 years, the OECD has prepared an analysis of environmental policy in Slovakia. I think that after today the whole debate about environmental measures, environmental policy and what lies ahead of us must be based on very clear data that we have obtained and have been published," Taraba noted, adding that the report is well done and that he advises all those who make any important decisions to familiarise themselves with it. The report, according to the minister, makes it clear that Slovak national parks must undergo zoning. All parties involved in this process should be heard, while local conservation intent and community life should be taken into account. "I very much accept the assertion that Slovakia's national parks need a viable vision for funding and sustainability," the minister said. According to him, there is a need to talk about forest management as the quality and standard of forests is declining. The report also pointed out that Slovakia has had a poor law on assessing environmental impacts. A new draft bill is currently being addressed in Parliament. At the same time, the OECD report noted Slovakia's underperforming in the area of community access to sanitation. OECD Deputy Secretary-General Fabrizia Lapecorella, who was received by Taraba on the same day to present the report, noted that she hopes the assessment will bring fruitful results to Slovakia. OECD made a total of 29 recommendations, which, according to her, is quite a lot. However, Lapecorella added that she hopes that this will help the country to develop further. zel/mcs