As part of the implementation of the SEENET programme, focusing on the establishment of the European Ecological Network in South-East Europe and the Black Sea region, a wide range of activities and meetings took place in recent weeks, resulting in a solid basis to further implement ecological networks.

On 11 and 12 October 2006 a European capacity-building seminar ‘Balancing regional planning and ecological networks in the South-East European and Black Sea regions’ took place in Strasbourg, France. About 40 participants from the regions exchanged views and expertise on the role of regional planning in the establishment and implementation of ecological networks and protected areas of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems. The seminar, organized by ECNC, Eurosite and EUCC-the Coastal Union, resulted in increased knowledge on how to incorporate ecological network requirements in regional and physical development and planning. A report listing various recommendations and ideas to move the issue further will be available soon at www.seenet.info

On 16 and 17 November 2006 the second SEENET Focus Group meeting and an interregional workshop which dealt with cross-border issues and ecological networks took place in Istanbul, Turkey. The Focus group meeting was hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry. During the meeting progress made in SEENET was presented and preparations for an upcoming European seminar on funding and ecological networks were discussed; the seminar is due to take place in April 2007. The idea is to provide training to experts who will later be able to train others about EU funding and other funding sources for the establishment and management of ecological networks.

On 17 November, the workshop on transboundary issues in the field of ecological networks took place, bringing together about 20 participants from South-East Europe and the Black Sea area, and resulting in increased knowledge and expertise in cross-border cooperation and the identification of new project concepts.

On 20 and 21 November in Ankara, Turkey, various meetings took place between a delegation of the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry, led by Director-General Prof. Mustafa Kemal Yalinkilic and an ECNC delegation, led by ECNC’s President Sir Brian Unwin, and also attended by representatives from the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Mr Hans Kampf and Mrs Carla Konsten). A workshop to examine opportunities for ecological networks in Turkey was organized, and attended by over 40 participants from the Ministry. The meetings resulted in strongly improved understanding about the invaluable role of Turkish biodiversity and potentials for ecological networks and related priorities. It was decided to strengthen the cooperation between the Turkish Ministry and other relevant Turkish partners and ECNC.

For further information: Ana Nieto (nieto@ecnc.org) and Ágnes Bruszik (bruszik@ecnc.org); and Aysegul Cil (cil@ecnc.org) for the meetings in Ankara. See also www.seenet.info