(Szentendre, Hungary June 3, 2000) Top environment officials from as far away as the U.S. and Japan, and as near as 15 countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), will gather June 17-20 at the Szentendre, Hungary, head office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) to mark the impact that the Center has had on the region's environment in its first 10 years -- and to discuss the vital role that the Center will play in the future. The press is invited to cover all four days of meetings and events, as well as attend a lunch and press conference. Closed-circuit televisions will be set up to let observers follow the proceedings of key meetings, which will help set the future course of environmental policy in the region. Some of the events scheduled include: Starting Saturday, June 17, and contiuing for the next three days, representatives of environmental NGOs from around Europe will meet with officials from the European Commission as part of a continuing dialogue on issues related to EU accession.On Sunday, June 18, delegates of the 25 countries that signed the foundation charter of the REC will elect new members to its Board of Directors. On Monday, June 19, environment ministers and other top officials from the CEE and around the world, will hold a consultation with EC Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom to discuss the future of environmental policy in the region.A June 18 gala birthday party will be held for friends and staff of the REC.   Press Conference On Monday, June 19, an official press conference will begin at 12:50 pm. Speakers will include a representative of the NGOs, the co-chairmen of the Ministerial Consultation, EC Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom and FYR Macedonian Environmental Minister Toni Popovski, co-chairman of the Task Force of the Regional Environmental Programme for the Reconstruction of South Eastern Europe. Registration for the press conference begins at 10 am June 19. Lunch will be available beginning at 1 pm.   Background The REC was founded June 20, 1990, by the governments of the United States, the European Community and Hungary to help the countries of Central and Eastern Europe solve their environmental problems. Within a few months, other countries had all endorsed the charter, many of them pledging financial support as well. The governments of Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, the U.S. and the EC, in particular, have been generous contributors to the REC and to the region's environment, with donations of around EUR 30 million, while Hungary provided the buildings and grounds for the Center. Beneficiaries of the REC's work include 15 CEE countries.

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