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The need to enhance co-operation with UN-ECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) has been one of the strongest messages arising from discussions with national and stakeholder representatives. Clearly, such co-operation must not lead to any dilution of Community competence or control over EU policy in this area. Nevertheless, there is an increasingly large overlap in both policy and geographical terms between CLRTAP and EU air quality policy, and  enhanced co-operation with CLRTAP will therefore be essential if CAFE is to add real value to policy-making and avoid wastage of resources.

In particular, it will be essential to create and maintain strong structural links to ensure good co-operation and co-ordination between the technical analysis work carried out by the two programmes. Co-operation and co-ordination at the technical level will thus be the key to exploiting synergies and avoiding duplication. 

Technical co-operation will mainly be focused on three aspects:

1. Development and use of models: development of a baseline scenario is foreseen in both approaches. This development will be based on similar  assumptions and use similar models (like the EMEP model). Technical exchanges will be important in order to compare assumptions used to build the models as well as the results coming from models;
2. Establish reliable emission inventories: Member States have to regularly produce emission inventories both under the CLRTAP Protocols and the National Emission Ceilings Directive. The methodology used to achieve those inventories is in principle the same (CORINAIR) and it will be important to compare results of both exercises;
3. Define a common approach on air pollution effects: a working group on effects has been created under the CLRTAP. The objectives of this group are to monitor effects on environment of major air pollutants (O3, Nox, heavy metals) and to define acceptable levels of air pollution according to the 'sensitivity' of the various ecosystems.

At a political level, it will be essential to achieve the best possible co-ordination of Member States positions in CLRTAP negotiations. The Commission will make every effort to ensure that positions being taken by Member States in Geneva are always fully compatible with evolving Community policy in the area.