2001-11-26 包含十個希望在2004年加入歐盟的東歐國家所參與的環境談判將在年底前完成。歐盟官員表示，對有意加入歐盟的國家而言，環保工作是其最大的阻礙。對賽普勒斯、捷克、愛沙尼亞、匈牙利、拉脫維亞、立陶宛、馬爾他、波蘭、斯洛伐克、斯拉維尼亞這十個國家來說，要達到歐盟環保標準的總花費為1,054億美元。歐盟執委會環境指導委員長佛斯丁吉（Jean-Francois Verstrynge）強調，候選會員國必需了解到這些錢視同公共健康的投資。他與歐盟環保官員本周在布魯塞爾與申請國晤談。

全文與圖片詳見: http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/
daily/daily112601.asp

版權歸屬Earth Day Network，環境資訊協會 (許心欣 譯，朱敬平 審校)

中英對照譯稿請見：http://e-info.org.tw/2001/11/1129/
edn01112603.htm

Environmental negotiations with 10 Eastern European countries hoping to join the European Union by 2004 will near completion by the end of the year, E.U. officials announced Thursday. Environmental protection is considered one of the biggest obstacles facing Eastern European nations interested in joining the E.U.; for the 10 countries -- Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia -- the total price tag for meeting E.U. environmental standards is expected to come to about $105.4 billion. European Commission Environment Directorate head Jean-Francois Verstrynge urged the candidate nations to see that money as an investment in public health. He and E.U. environmental protection ministers are meeting with their colleagues in applicant countries this week in Brussels.

http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/
daily/daily112601.asp