OSCE Presence in Albania promotes public consultation in decision-making with workshop for officials

TIRANA, 21 May 2009 - More than 30 officials from the private sector and government institutions discussed how to fulfil obligations to consult the public on environmental aspects of national and local planning processes during a workshop today that was organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration.

"This and similar workshops emphasize that public consultation is not just a legal obligation but also beneficial in its own right," said Robert Mangham, the OSCE Presence's Economic, Environment and Regional Reform Officer.

The event familiarized participants with their legal responsibilities to allow the public a voice during the planning of projects. It formed part of the co-operation between the Presence and Ministry in the area of environmental information and implementation of the Aarhus Convention, which grants the public rights regarding access to information, public participation and access to justice in governmental decision-making processes on matters concerning the environment.