ELSA PAPADEMETRIOU

VICE PRESIDENT

		Athens, 19 January 2009
Mr Svend AUKEN Chairman European Affairs Committee Folketinget, Christiansborg 1240 København K

 

Dear Colleague, dear Svend,

Let me first wish you a happy, peaceful and fruitful year!

I always recall with consideration our meeting in Athens in 1993, when we welcomed you as Minister for the Environment, as well as the very successful Ã…rhus Conference in which, responding to your kind invitation, I had participated.

In the context of the traditional close cooperation between our respective parliamentary European Affairs Committees, and being aware of your most valuable contribution to the protection of the environment, which forms one of the most urgent priorities on the European political agenda, I take the opportunity to invite you along with a delegation of your Committee to a joint parliamentary meeting in Athens.

In view of the Copenhagen Climate Conference 2009, we would prefer that European policy on climate change be the main discussion topic during that meeting. For that reason, we deem appropriate that a delegation of the Environment and Regional Planning Committee of the Folketing is also invited. That would enable us to exchange views with colleagues who have greater expertise on the topic. To this end, my colleague Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Chairman of the Environment Committee, will send an invitation to his counterpart Mr Steen Gade.

If you personally agree to such a meeting, the competent services of our Parliaments could proceed with the pertinent modalities, such as dates and other programme details of your visit to Athens.

With my true appreciation and warmest wishes for 2009,

 

 

Elsa Papademetriou

President of the Committee of European Affairs

Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament