The Ministers of the Environment of Spain, France and Andorra, Cristina Narbona, Nelly Olin and Pere Torres, respectively, have signed a declaration to strengthen collaboration on the conservation of the brown bear in the Pyrenees. The three ministers met yesterday, coinciding with the commemoration of World Biodiversity Day, in Paris.

The objective of the three governments is to reinforce, with genetically close specimens, the population of bears in the Pyrenees, in order to ensure their survival; to reduce the causes of mortality of the species; encourage the participation of all actors in the formulation, monitoring and implementation of measures related to the conservation of the species; to take into account, in sectoral mountain space management activities, the elements favourable to the preservation of bear habitat; promoting the image of the bear, especially in the development of tourism activities and in the marketing of local products, and carrying out joint studies on the bear population and its conservation factors.

The three administrations have welcomed the close relationship and affinity created between the three countries in favour of this project and its long-term significance, which is materialised in the preservation of Pyrenean biodiversity. They also expressed their satisfaction at sharing the will to act effectively in the long-term preservation of the environment and the natural values that bring together the Pyrenees, also taking into account the economic and social context of the Pyrenean territories, thus ensuring their prosperity.