Slovak NGOs informed media on October 7 that the European Commission has initiated action against Slovakia due to several violations of the public’s right to health and environmental protection.
One of the concerns is a law adopted last year aimed at expediting highway construction. Other concerns are the amendment to the law on nature protection and the law on environmental impact assessment.
Peter Wilfling of the Citizen and Democracy association said that these laws were adopted by coalition MPs and due to the silent support of the Environment Ministry despite many previous notices that they were at odds with EU legislation.
The EC criticised the state for adopting the laws, which it alleges curb the rights of citizens and their associations to participate in granting official permits for activities that have an impact on people's health and the environment. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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