OSCE opens centre for environmental information

TIRANA, Dec. 13 – The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe opened Wednesday in Tirana an environmental information centre featuring a specialized library and an Internet facility. The Aarhus Information Centre will promote activities on environmental awareness and protection. It offers citizens access to legal expertise and advice on how to practically implement the Aarhus Convention, which grants the public rights to access information and justice in environmental matters, and to participate in related decision-making. “We hope that the Aarhus Information Center will act as a link between civil society and the state, and help address Albania’s various environmental problems,” said Ambassador Pavel Vacek. Besides the OSCE the center was created from the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration and the Environment and Security Initiative for South Eastern Europe.