22 - 26 May 1995

Delegates and observers from 16 European countries: Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the International Forestry Students Association (IFSA), and the International Association of Foresters Esperantists (IFRE) participated in the XIIIth Congress of the European Union of Foresters (UEF).

The list of participants is in the Enclosure No 1 to the present Minutes.

22 May 1995, First day of the Congress

Mr Kees MOL of the Netherlands, President of the UEF opened the Congress. He welcomed all participants and spoke a report (Encl. No 2).
Further welcoming addresses were spoken by:
- Mr Andrzej SZUJECKI, D.Se., Professor, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry of Poland,
- Mr Robert FLIES, from the Directorate General of Agriculture, Department VI of the European Coramission of Brussels,
- Mr Maciej PLAZYNSKI, M.Se., Governor of the Gdansk province,
- Mr Tomasz POSADZKI, President of the city of Gdansk,
- Mr Janusz WIDZIUK, Ph.D., Director General of State Forests,
- Mr Heinz SCHMIDT, Germany,
- Mr Jbzef STAJNIAK, D.Se., Professor, Chairman of the Central Board of the Association of Engineers and Technicians of Forestry and Woodworking.
After his welcoming address, Professor STAJNIAK had taken the function of the Congress chairman and he proposed the appointment of Resolutions Comission composed of:
- Dr Paul HUTTE (Germany),
- Mr David OGG (United Kingdom),
- Prof. Piotr PASCHALIS (Poland),
- Prof. Kullervo KUUSELA (Finland),
- Prof. Reyer Frank KNOL (the Netherlands).
This persons set was voted unanimously. Then the reports were presented as follows:
- Mr Andrzej SZUJECKI, D.Se., Professor (Poland): Forest policy at the turn of the XX century (Encl. No 3),
- Mr Jan DAWIDZIUK, Ph.D., Eng. (Poland): Guiding lines of the performance of forest policy by the State Forests organization (Encl. No 4).
After that report there was a discussion on the stock of game animals in Poland.
- Mr Robert FLIES, the representative of the European Commission in Brussels,
- Prof. Kullervo KUUSELA (Finland), (Encl. No 5),
- Mr Karl Herman SIMON (IFRE), (Encl. No 6).
After that lecture Mr SIMON presented to the Presiding Board of the Congress the first specimen of five-lingual dictionary of forestry.
Then the discussion proceeded, concerning Mr FLIES'S report, on problems of forestations in individual countries of Europe, and especially Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Ireland, i.e. in the countries that had prepared the greatest programs of forestations.
- Mr Valentin P. ZORIN: The forest policy in the XXI century.
The lecture was read in Polish by professor PASCHALIS (Encl. No 7),
- Professor Max KROTT (Germany), (Encl. No 8).
After that lecture a discussion went on the subject of increasing protection functions of forests. Professors: D MLINSEK, M. KROTT, and J. STAJNIAK participated.

23 May 1995, Second day of the Congress

The chairmanship of the Congress was taken over by professor Piotr PASCHALIS (Poland), who proclaimed that the subject of the discussion would concern: Forestry and nature conservation; tasks and competences. The authors of reports spoken on that day presented a broad range of information on multiple use and protection of forest ecosystems, and on linkages of that substantial task with competences that had been given to foresters. The division of competences in the domain of nature conservation broadly conceived is one of more controversial things discussed on the forum of the European forestry
The Resolutions Commission was appointed, composed of:
- Mr Erich BUIJINCK (the Netherlands),
- Mr Pekka SALMINEN (Finland),
- Mr Roger FITTER (United Kingdom),
- Mr Heinz Peter SCHMIDT (Germany).
The composition of the Commission was voted unanimously. Then the reports were pronounced successively:
- Mr J.H. KUPER, Professor, (Netherlands), (Encl. No 9).
In the discussion on biodiversity problems the following professors participated: J. STAJNIAK, A. KLOCEK, J.H. KUPER.
- Mr Bogdan LONKIEWICZ, Ph.D. Eng. (Poland) (Encl. No 10): Forestry and nature conservation - tasks and competences. Mr Andrzej NOWAKOWSKI, M.Se. Eng., was the coauthor of that elaboration.
- Mr Roelf OLDEMAN, Professor, (Netherlands), (Encl. No 11). The report was presented by Mr Kees MOL.
- Mr Cecil KONDIJENDIJK (Netherlands), President of the IFSA, "About the International Student Association".
After that report there was a short discussion on cooperation with non-academic students from other countries.
- Mr Dusan MLINSEK, D.Se. Professor, (Slovenia), (Encl. No 12),
- Mr Jan SZRAMKA, M.Se. Eng., (Poland), (Encl. No 13): Forest management and nature conservation on the area managed by the Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Gdansk.
- Mr Valentin P. ZORIN (Belarus) made an appeal to the Presiding Board of the Congress for including the Russian language to the set of Conference languages, because the foresters from the countries of the former Soviet Union participated in the Congress too.
Then Mr V.P. ZORIN discussed three important problems:
1) forests around Chernobyl and works with neutralization of contamination of those areas,
2) forest protection and control of forest pests,
3) withering at oaks and spruces.
- Mr Tichomir TOMANOV (Bulgaria).
Mr Kees MOL, President of the Union, thanked the representatives of the forester organizations from Eastern and Central European countries for their interest in the activities of the Union. He stressed the need for uniting all forest organizations in Europe. The closer foresters are united the stronger they are - stated Mr K. MOL.
Then the open discussion proceeded with participation of following gentlemen: Pentti NAREAHO (Finland), Peter SCHMITT (Germany), D7 MLINSEK (Slovenia), and J. STÃJNIAK (Poland).
The discussion concerned the searching new ways for forestry, ensuring conditions for activities of woodworking enterprises, and at the same time - ecological stability, and dynamic development of forests. A long-term wise management of forest, including its protection against pests and disasters, allows a reconciling of both important functions of forests - that was the conclusion of the participants.

24 May 1995, Third day of the Congress, Plenary Session

Mr Kees MOL, President of the European Union of Foresters, opened the plenary session. He welcomed all delegations, including representatives of non-associated organizations and representatives of the International Association of Foresters Esperantists (IFRE). He informed the meeting that important contacts between the UEF and Central European countries have been made after the Grenoble meeting.
Mr K. MOL reported shortly on the Union activities, acknowledging the contacts of the UEF with the Council of Europe as the most important ones. The UEF presented an article in the Natureuropa Journal. That article was broadly disseminated in Europe and was sent to the governments.
The Committee of Agriculture of the European Parliament decided on starting a legislation process for implementing the article 138B of the Maastricht Treaty, for to propose a strategy of the European Union in the forestry sector. This initiative is the result of publishing the report of the European Parliament basing on the studies carried out by the ONF and the Dutch organization of Rosenthal. That report formulated the "proper assumptions for planning a really integrated policy that European foresters merit of, and that requires its place on the international scene".
The main subjects were as follows:
- promotion of a balanced form of forest resources management,
- conservation of forests,
- level of forest resources,
- expansion of woodworking industries.
Mr K. MOL stated that Mr David THOMAS, rapporteur of the European Parliament, is very
interested in the opinion of the UEF on these subjects. The attainment of agreed settlements on
the UEF policy related to the European Parliament as well as its performance should be a part
of an action plan of the UEF for future years. A proper use of the PHARE funds by the countries
of Central and Eastern Europe, taking into account the needs of forestry in their national
programs is very important. Assistance to member organizations is one of more important tasks
of the Union.
Mr K. MOL addressed the participants with a request for reflex ion on the future
policy of the Union.
Discussion:
Mr Karl Heinz STEPHAN (Germany), Deputy President of the UEF, presented shortly some points of the report. The following were most important:
-implementing a new method that greatly facilitated book-keeping and preparing action plans, as well as recording costs for future years;
- preparing Mr MOL’S article to the Natureuropa Journal, in cooperation with friends from Finland and Netherlands;
- assessing and analyzing the present statutes, their analyzing in view of settling whether the present regulations define properly the character and shape of the Union, or rather some changes are necessary;
- matters of forest education.
Mr Jerzy SMYKALA, Ph.D,. Eng. (Poland) reported on his activities as the Vice-President of the Union. Those were the most important tasks:
- coordination of the preparatory works to the XlII Congress of the UEF in Gdansk,
- current matters recommended by the UEF Board,
- participation in the sessions of the Board.
Mme Sylvie GRIMAL (France), secretary of the UEF made a presentation of the delegates from individual countries, and she explained the rules of voting.

According to the Union statutes, it was settled, basing on the list of participants, that there were 33 delegates in the conference room with the right of voting, to 36 having that right, that fact ensuring the legal validity of decisions undertaken.
Mr John HANCOCK (United Kingdom), Treasurer of the UEF, presented the financial report to the participants.
Mr Peter KLINK (Germany) stated that there were no irregularities in financial documents.
Mr Paul HUTTE (Germany) raised the question of delays in membership fees by some countries: Netherlands, Austria, and Poland.
Mr Krzysztof RUDZKI, M.Se. Eng., Secretary General of the Association of Polish Foresters, explained that Poland would account its debts after the Congress, and would present real final costs, so that the Polish debts would be regulated.
Mr K. MOL gave under voting the exoneration of the Board for the period 1992-1994. Votes "for" were 33, "against" O. Then the exoneration for the Board was granted.
Then the discussion on the finances of 1995 began.
Mr Emery ANDERSON (Sweden) and Mr Karl Heinz STEPHAN (Germany) discussed the maters concerning regulation of membership fees for individual member countries.
The delegation of the FRG presented a written proposal for lessening the annual membership fee in 1995 (Encl. No 14) arguing on costs of reactivation of the eastern part of Germany after reuniting and doubling costs connected with that fact.
Gentlemen mentioned below took part in the discussion: Karl Heinz STEPHAN (Germany), Kees MOL (President of the UEF), Pentti NAREAHO (Finland), Heinz SCHMIDT (Germany), Erik BUIJINCK (Netherlands).
Voting results were as follows: Poland - yes, The Netherlands - yes, Germany - yes, Cyprus - yes,
Switzerland -yes, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden refrained from voting.
The proposal has been accepted.
The budget for 1995 was given to voting. All delegates voted for approval.
Mr Kees MOL informed that since 5 years the UEF has got a status of an official observer at the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe is interested in closing contacts of the UEF with the European Forest Organization (EFO).
Mr K. MOL said that the Council of Europe is most of ten busy with human rights and social matters, and forestry is only mentioned at its works; the important thing is however that from among Non-Governmental Organizations, the UEF is the only forest organization; the remaining ones are ecological and environmental, such as "Greenpeace". It is then well that the UEF can have an impact on decisions of the Council of Europe, going through the European Union and whole Europe.

New members of the Union.
Mr Kees MOL informed the participants that the Presiding Board of the Union was addressed by new members with asking about their accessing; they sent their statutes and information on their organizations. They have been introduced to and accepted by the Board. The
following organizations belong to them:
- Consilva, Romania,
- Forest Progress, Albania.
- ADM-ISF, Italy,
- Cyprian association of foresters-graduates of forest schools.
Mr Kees MOL stated that the following representations participated in the Congress: Belarus, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, that have got the status of observers, and they would address for the membership.
The next information was that the Association of Swedish Foresters had been accepted during the session of the Board of the Union in Grenoble and since l January 1995 it became the member of the Union.
Mr Emery ANDERSSON, President of the Association of Swedish Foresters described the organization that had been established in 1889 and now it associates 2150 members. He spoke some words on forestry in Sweden.
Mr Marian STOICESCU of Consilva, Romania, presented to the participants of the Congress the structure of his organization that is of trade-union character, it was established in 1992 and is composed of five forest organizations:
- Federation of the trade-union of SILVA,
- Federation of the trade-union of ICAS,
- Federation of trade-unions of forest education,
- Federation of Forest Engineers organizations,
- Association of Retired Foresters of Romania.
At present the Consilva numbers 70 thousand members. In the voting on accepting Romanian foresters joining the Union the delegates gave 100% of votes for "yes".
Mr Marian STOICESCU handed over to the Presiding Board of the Union and to all the participants of the Congress a medal specially prepared for the XlII Congress of the UEF.
Mr Kees MOL gave under voting the motion concerning acceptation of Albania as member to the Union (the representatives of Albania were absent at the Congress). Hundred percent of votes were for accepting Albania to the Union.
Mr David PETENELLA rode the delegates informed about the Italian Associazione dei Laureate di Sciencia Forestale, this is the Association of Italian Foresters, being university graduates. Mr PETTENELLA mentioned four reasons, for that he attended the Congress, waiting that the discussion might give an answer, or perhaps might help in solving the problems of his organization:
- problem I- decrease of income in private forestry in Italy,
- problem II - the role of public authorities in regulation of the forest sector,
- problem III - relations of Italian foresters with the "green” movement,
-problem IV - forest education.
Mr K. MOL ordered a voting, and 100% of delegates voted for the acceptation of the Italian organization to the Union.
Mr Alexandros CHRISTODOULOU described the organization of Cyprian foresters, grouping
150 persons. After the voting 100% for yes, the Cyprian organization has been accepted to the Union.
Mr Otto STROFEK and Mr Alexander CARNY (Slovakia) made the Congress delegates informed on their Slovakian organizations of foresters, and they described briefly the forestry of Slovakia, its problems, and nature conservation. The organization grouping professional foresters in Slovakia is called the Union of Slovakian Foresters.
Mr K. MOL expressed the conviction that after sending the statutes and organizational information, Slovakian organizations would have the status of full members the UEF.
Mr Algirdas BRUKAS, from the Association of Lithuanian Foresters, discussed the problems of Lithuanian foresters; the process of privatization of forests in Lithuania is the biggest one.
Mr Tihomir W. TOMANOW of Bulgaria described briefly the organization of Bulgarian foresters. He stressed in his speech, that thanks to the work of Bulgarian foresters the growing stock of Bulgarian forests was doubled in the last 60 years; next he discussed the problems that the Bulgarian foresters face (see Encl. No).
Mr Vladimir R. ROMANOVSKIY (Belarus) spoke a report on forestry of Belarus.
Mr Jereray WALL, from the European Commission of Brussels spoke a speech (see Encl. No 15).
Mr D. PETENELLA, P. HUTTE, P. PASCHALIS, and D. OGG participated at the discussion.
Mr Kees MOL proposed to re-start the discussion on the UEF policy for the next 3 years.
Mr E. BUIJINCK made the Congress participants informed on the results of enquires, that had been, carried out among the UEF members. The assumptions of the UEF policy were prepared on that background.
According to the opinion of the Congress, the Union should deal, in the next future, first of all, with:
- contacts with the EU and the Council of Europe,
- aspirations to the European Forest Policy and the Policy of Environmental Conservation,
- exchanging (standardized) forest education,
- initiating international research projects, e.g. forestation on polluted areas,
- stimulating European projects of forestations on rural areas,
- establishing a European Forest Education Institute,
- internal matters,
- stimulating exchangeable knowledge,
- programs of exchange of foresters between various countries,
- stimulating the exchange of students (IFSA),
- intensifying attention on trade-union aspects inside the UEF,
- helping associations in defining a precise forest policy in the countries,
- explaining to the member organizations that the UEF cannot solve all problems of all associations at the same time,
- increasing the exchange of information.
Mr P. HUTTE (Germany), P. NAREAHO (Finland), Alexandros CHRISTODOULOU (Cyprus), and Karl Heinz STEPHAN (Germany) participated in the discussion. The speakers concentrated on the methods of improving the course of information. The proposal of publishing-Jwa Journal (e.g. quarterly) got the support of the speakers. The proposals of establishing working groups for solving individual subjects, as well as appointing (the second) secretary for to improve the activity of the UEF secretariat were set forth. The proposal by Mr K. Mol, that the UEF Board would undertake actions for executing those postulates was adopted.
Mr Karl Heinz STEPHAN (Germany) presented the motions set forth by the FRG (Encl. No14), one of which was voted, namely concerning the change of membership payments.
The motion No l is composed of four parts; two of them namely points b and c are solved thestatutes.
There was a voting on the proposal of the Board (points la and Id) that read:
1. The Congress may approve the motion of the FRG on the changes of membership payments for the precedent year.
2. Evoking of this decision in the next year should be ensured.
The motion has been adopted.
The third motion of the FRG concerning the statement that the UEF should concentrate more on the work representations has not been given to voting.
Mr K. MOL proposed to the delegates that they would consider the text of the Congress resolution and he announced the point concerning the elections of the UEF authorities.
Mme Sylvie GRIMAL informed the meeting about candidates to the Union authorities.
There was a voting, in result of which new authorities of the Union were elected, and namely:
- President of the Union - Mr Kees MOL (Netherlands) - 33 votes,
- Vice-president of the Union - Mr Karl Heinz STEPHAN (Germany) -33 votes,
- Vice-president of the Union - Mr Pentti NAREAHO (Finland) – 33 votes,
- Vice-president of the Union - Mr Piotr PASCHALIS (Poland) – 33 votes,
- Treasurer of the Union - Mr Niels CHRISTIANSEN (Denmark) – 20 votes,
- Secretary of the Union - Mme Sylvie GRIMAL (France) - 27 votes, and 6 refraining votes; and for the Auditors Commission, composed of:
- Mr Peter KLINK (Germany),
- Mr Erik BUIJINCK (Netherlands).
After the elections of new authority as of the Union, there were sincere thanks expressed for the organizers and hosts for the well-prepared meeting and a multi-sided program that allowed showing to the delegates and to invite the guests the attractive picture of the hosting country-
After the discussion on the future plan of UEF activities there was a draft of a resolution set forth in English and German versions. It was stated in the discussion that the linguistic versions of the draft were not concordant to each other; the delegates decided that a project of the resolution, improved and univocal (linguistically) would be sent out by the UEF
Secretariat to the member associations for to make account of their positions at setting a final version. The Board would, on the basis of remarks received from the Associations (or acceptations) prepare the final version of the resolution of the Lie Congress, and it would send it out to the Associations.
With this the session of the Congress was ended.

Minutes of the meeting held in the afternoon of 26th May 1995

In the afternoon of 26th of May a meeting was held in order to discuss and decide on the Resolution of the Congress.

Two proposals were presented by two different working teams.

During the discussion of the proposals two different opinions as regards the management of the forests were presented.

The one opinion was supporting the multiple uses of the forests with emphasis on their non economic functions i.e. environmental protection, human recreation and economic benefits other than wood.

The other opinion was giving emphasis on the economic functions of the forest especially wood production.

Although a lot of discussion took place the meeting couldn’t come into a unanimously acceptable proposal in order to be adopted in the final resolution.

The Secretariat in order to overcome the deadlock accepted the suggestion to work out a new proposal which should be sending to the member Organizations for any major comments and possible approval.

Votes of thanks

The president of the UEF thanked Mr Hancock, former Treasurer of the UEF, for his valuable contribution and the successful running of the financial affairs of the Union. He also presented him with a gift.
The president also thanked the Polish colleagues for the organization of the Congress and congratulated them for the excellent work they have done. At the end he presented them with gifts in memory of their contribution to the congress.

Future meetings
The next meeting of the presidium will be held in September 1996 in ? (APF)
The meeting of 1977, after an invitation of the Romanian delegates will be held in Romania.

The next Congress is proposed to take place in Finland. The Finish delegate said that he will consult his Association and will give an answer in due course.