ABSTRACT
The EU nature protection policy and legislation have developed according to the most significant international biodiversity conventions: United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention) and the Bern Convention on European Wildlife and Habitats. 1 The main goal of the EU nature protection policy is halting the loss of biological diversity, which is considered key for achieving long-term sustainable development, as stipulated in the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. Protection of the biodiversity is also one of four priorities of the EU's Sixth Environmental Action Programme.
