The country reports highlight priority environmental problems as seen by environmental experts from the CEE countries, with special attention given to the relationship between those problems and the particular characteristics of the transformations occurring in each country. The extensive information collected through the interviews has been presented in as uniform a manner as possible to enable recognition of the differences and similarities between the countries. In addition to reviewing the most critical environmental problems in the different countries, Volume 2 illustrates many opportunities for cooperation among CEE countries in developing solutions to those problems.

There are many similarities among environmental issues challenging the CEE countries. These countries are also experiencing similar phenomenon related to the political, economic and social transformations they are undergoing as they strive to develop market based economies and democratic societies. Having similar goals and challenges creates a setting in which cooperation could be extremely helpful to all concerned. However, one of the first steps towards such cooperation is the preparation and exchange of comparable information on the strategic issues confronting them. This volume provides such information.

There are several benefits which may be drawn from the information presented in this volume:

• countries may identify their strengths and weaknesses in addressing various environmental issues in comparison with their CEE neighbors;
• opportunities and strong encouragement to establish contacts, exchange experiences and to provide mutual support in solving environmental problems within the region are presented;
• environmental impacts of the transition processes occurring in the CEE countries may be investigated, and;
• suggestions for how Western environmental assistance programs can be improved and how CEE countries can more effectively use and attract such aid are given.

Cooperation among the CEE countries in environmental protection has thus far been rather limited yet the potential for this remains great. The exchange of information and experience in many areas (i.e. environmental legislation and policy, implementation of economic instruments and the establishment of environmental finance systems) as well as the utilization of advisory and training skills existing in the region could be beneficial to all countries of the region. We hope that this publication can help to expand this cooperation.

This volume was prepared by Jürg Klarer and Patrick Francis with the support of the REC Initiatives Team. The following persons conducted interviews and drafted country reports: Andras Bezegh (Hungary); Sergiu Cristofor (Romania), Patrick Francis (Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Poland and Romania), Marijana Ivanova (FYR Macedonia), Jürg Klarer (Czech and Slovak Republics), George Romanca (Romania), Voline van Teeseling (Albania), Magdolna Toth Nagy (Croatia and Slovenia), Veselava Tsakova (Bulgaria) and Janos Zlinszky (Hungary). Additional interviews were conducted by Jason Brandwene (Czech Republic), Renata Kiss (Slovak Republic), Nianta Thomas (Hungary) and Voline van Teeseling (Hungary). The draft reports were language proofed by Marguerite Downey.

Volume 2 of the Strategic Environmental Issues Report was edited and finalized by Jürg Klarer and Patrick Francis. Desktop publishing and publication layout was performed by Jürg Klarer.

I would especially like to thank these two for their dedication and efforts as well as all others who cooperated in preparing this publication.

Stanislaw Sitnicki
Executive Director