73. Calls for the application of forest definitions based on an ecological forest classification such as the one proposed by the EEA in 2007, so as to be able to differentiate between carbon-rich old forests, intensively managed monocultures and other forest types, including Mediterranean shrub, according to biomes and stages of succession;

The definition of "forest" includes: forest nurseries and seed orchards that constitute an integral part of the forest; forest roads, cleared tracts, firebreaks and other small open areas within the forest; forest in national parks, nature reserves and other protected areas such as those of special environmental, scientific, historical, cultural or spiritual interest; windbreaks and shelterbelts of trees with an area of more than 0,5 ha and a width of more than 20m.

In the opinion on monitoring of forests, Luis Durnwalder (Governor of the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Südtirol/Bolzano-Alto Adige, I-EPP), regrets that the definition of forest ecosystems in the proposed directive is not consistent with the fundamental aims of the proposal.

2. The Council welcomes the ECOSOC Resolution E/2000/L.35, which sets out the goals, objectives and principal functions of the international arrangement on forests and establishes the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and calls for the formation of a Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) between the relevant organisations of the United Nations system and other relevant international and regional organisations, institutions and instruments.

Environment Cooperation will focus on: - assessing environmental problems in the Mediterranean region and defining, where appropriate, the initiatives to be taken; - making proposals to establish and subsequently update a short and medium-term priority environmental action programme for intervention coordinated by the European Commission and supplemented by long-term actions; it should include among the main areas for action, the following: integrated management of water, soil and coastal areas; management of waste; preventing and combating air pollution and pollution in the Mediterranean sea; natural heritage, landscapes and site conservation and management; Mediterranean forest ...[+++] protection, conservation and restoration, in particular through the prevention and control of erosion, soil degradation, forest fires and combating desertification; transfer of Community experience in financing techniques, legislation and environmental monitoring; integration of environmental concerns in all policies; - setting up a regular dialogue to monitor the implementation of the action programme; - reinforcing regional and subregional cooperation and strengthening coordination with the Mediterranean Action Plan; - stimulating coordination of investments from various sources, and implementation of relevant international conventions; - promoting the adoption and implementation of legislation and regulatory measures when required, especially preventive measures and appropriate high standards.

Particular consideration, however, will be given to operations that promote the following: (a) conservation of primary tropical forests and their biodiversity and renewal of tropical forests which have been damaged, supported by analysis of the underlying causes of deforestation and taking into account differences between countries and regions and measures to address them; (b) sustainable management of forests designated for the production of timber and other products, but excluding commercial logging operations in primary tropical forests, except those which are community-based, on a small scale, sustainable, environmentally sound and ...[+++]implementing sustainable forest management; (c) the definition and development of certification systems, combined with independent assessment systems, for timber produced from tropical forests according to sustainable forest management principles as part of internationally harmonized certification systems envisaged for all kinds of timber and timber products; (d) provision of prior information to forest peoples, followed by their support for the identification, planning and implementation of actions; (e) capacity-building to address the needs for training schemes for local populations, forest managers and researchers, for legislation, for increased political and social support and institutional strengthening and for organizations and associations active in forest conservation; (f) a strategic and adapted research policy aimed at supplying the knowledge required for the conservation and sustainable management of forests and also for the implementation of research monitoring activities in the framework of projects and programmes; (g) development of buffer zones to assist the conservation or regeneration of tropical forests, as part of a broader land utilization plan; (h) development and implementation of forest management plans aimed at conserving tropical forests and promoting sustainable exploitation of timber and other forest ...