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<p>Land-based as well as marine environmental management and assessment on regional scale in the EC, normally require multinational effort by the states bordering environmental valuable, protected and often threatened mainland and marine (lakes, seas, estuary's, rivers) regions in question. Integrated management and assessment can only be effective, if there is a high degree of compatibility, accessibility and inter-changeability in environmental data and information, in possession or obtained by the different countries and (interest) organizations, carrying out investigations in the concerning regions. Moreover, the environmental awareness of the European Society is also a very important key-factor for appropriate environmental management and assessment. Stimulation and education of the European societies in awareness for environmental valuable and/or threatened regions may also contribute to a better understanding, support and interaction of policy measures to protect or maintain nature values.</p>
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