On June 18 PAP/RAC attended its first face-to-face meeting after the COVID19 lockdown. At the invitation by Mr. Mitja Bricelj, MAP Focal Point for Slovenia, the PAP/RAC Director and her Deputy travelled to Ljubljana to participate in a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of Slovenia. The main agenda item was related to two strategic documents prepared by the Ministry, namely the Spatial Development Strategy and the MSP for Slovenia. Both documents are closely related to the implementation of the ICZM Protocol and its Common Regional Framework. Prior to the meeting PAP/RAC reviewed both drafts in order to assess how these correlate with the Protocol, and prepared written comments and suggestions for amendments. The conclusion is that both documents have been well prepared and have clear reference to those requirements of the Protocol that can be applied through spatial planning instruments, such as the provision of the coastal setback, use the IMAP indicators and adaptation to climate change. Therefore, no major revisions are needed but in the meeting minor suggestions for improvement were presented and explained. The discussion was rich and very concrete.
Slovenia is preparing to take over the presidency of the EU Council in July next year and will also coordinate the Mediterranean EU member states at the next CoP of the Barcelona Convention. So the afternoon meeting with the participation of the State Secretary for Spatial Planning and the Head of the EU Coordination and International Affairs was informative for both sides.
