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In March 1998 the European Union (EU) formally launched a negotiation process by which to further enlarge the EU, having, in the preceding years, invited several former Soviet-influenced countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), along with Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, to participate in accession to the EU if they so wished. This article is concerned with Lithuania's accession to the EU, the process of approximating EU environmental law and the legislative intricacies involved therein. The paper critiques the process of enlargement of the European Union from a largely pragmatic legal perspective through a legal case-study examination of Lithuania's efforts in approximating the environmental acquis into national law. Lithuania was an accession state from Central Europe and acceded to the EU on May 1st 2004. This paper provides insight into and guidance upon the process of the approximation of environmental law as it may relate, or has related, to other accession countries. It highlights the practical steps and the route of accession to the EU along with the legal requirements contained therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the criminal environmental law in the European Union. European Commission's adoption of a proposal for a Directive on protection of the environment through criminal law under provisions of the "first pillar" of Community law; Council's adoption of a Framework Decision on the same subject under provisions of the "third pillar"; Serious inter-institutional conflict due to the two parallel texts.

Presents a number of environmental laws of the European Union. Hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; Waste electrical and electronic equipment.

The article reviews the environmental law in Europe. The Commission has initiated a formal investigation procedure which allows certain categories of companies to benefit from a tax reduction or tax exemption under the carbon dioxide emission tax. Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions "Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment" has been published. Council Division approved the accession of the Community to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Council Decision authorizes Great Britain to apply an exemption from climate change levy for low-value solid fuel in accordance with Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC.

The article provides information on environmental policies and directives which was passed by the European Union to promote environmental protection on its Member States. The Commission passed the Council Directive 90/396/European Economic Council on June 29, 1990 to implement the laws related to appliances burning of gaseous fuel. The Commission Regulation Number 197/2006 was passed on February 3, 2006 which is reflected under Regulation Number 1774/2002 concerning the transport, treatment and disposal of foodstuffs. The Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of its Council was passed on September 7, 2006 involves the policies on ship-source pollution and the establishment of penalties for infringements was corrected.