OPENNESS

28.The European Union is committed to allowing the greatest possible access to information on its activities.The Internet is being used to provide more information on the European Union, including shortly a public register of Council documents.The Commission, the Council and the European Parliament should prepare rapid implementation of the new provisions on openness in the Treaty of Amsterdam.

29.The European Council welcomes the Commission's use of the Internet to promote an effective dialogue with citizens and business on their single market rights and opportunities.

30.The European Council noted the outcome of the People's Europe 98 conference.It welcomed the participation of representatives from all parts and sections of the society across Europe, and the conference's contribution to public debate.It encouraged future Presidencies and the Commission to promote such public debate.

31.The European Council invites the Council and the Member States to consider ideas to promote more contacts between young people, e.g.through the Internet, and the scope for tackling social exclusion among young people, including through sport.

ENVIRONMENT

32.A healthy environment is central to the quality of life.Our economies must combine prosperity with protection of the environment.That is why the Amsterdam Treaty emphasises the integration of environmental protection into Community policies, in order to achieve sustainable development.The European Council welcomes the Commission's submission of a draft strategy and commits itself to consider it rapidly in view of the implementation of the new Treaty provisions.It invites the Commission to report to future European Councils on the Community's progress in meeting this Treaty requirement and welcomes the commitment of the Austrian, German and Finnish Presidencies to achieve further practical progress.

33.The European Council endorses the principle that major policy proposals by the Commission should be accompanied by its appraisal of their environmental impact.It notes the Commission's efforts to integrate environmental concerns in all Community policies and the need to evaluate this in individual decisions, including on Agenda 2000.

34 The European Council invites all relevant formations of the Council to establish their own strategies for giving effect to environmental integration and sustainable development within their respective policy areas.They should monitor progress taking account of the Commission's suggested guidelines and identifying indicators.The Transport, Energy and Agriculture Councils are invited to start this process.The Council and Commission are invited to keep under review their organisational

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