Interview with Enthoven, Marius

From the The European Commission 1986-2000. Memories of an institution Collection

Identity Statement

Interviewee
HAEU Reference Code
INT1017
Interview Informations

Recorded in 27 September 2016 The Hague
Interview by Jan-Henrik Meyer in English

Access Level
Open Transcript, Open Audio
Materials

Electronic File

Content

Abstract

During this interview, Mr Enthoven discussed the following topics:
- his educational background;
- his time as research associate at Princeton University and environmental debate;
- his work as policy developer then Chief Inspector for environmental protection in the Dutch Ministry of Public Health and Environment (noise, industrial safety, air pollution, nuclear energy, the Chernobyl disaster, international exchanges, cooperation with the Environment Protection Agency, United Nations’ summits on environment, the Rhine pollution, the first EU environmental action programme, the first Dutch national environmental policy plan, intensive farming and agriculture);
- entering the European Commission as Director-General in DG XI;
- introducing the “policy life cycle” in DG XI;
- the Environmental Policy Review Group;
- the Implementation and Enforcement Network for Environmental Law;
- the management of DG XI (flexibility, administrative culture, working languages);
- his departure and the further developments of his career;
- his activities as special advisor;
- his European commitment;
- the Commission’s initiatives in the environment area;
- consultative forum on environment;
- contacts with officials within DG XI;
- his relationship with Commissioner Bjerregaard;
- the European Trading System;
- dealing with the French nuclear tests in 1995;
- international negotiations to implement the Agenda 21;
- the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment
and Development;
- the MOVE process;
- the 1995 enlargement;
- Contacts with other DGs, other institutions (European Parliament) and NGOs;
- the Commission’s external communication;
- cutting red tape in Europe;
- progresses achieved in nuclear safety and civil protection areas;
- the demise of the Soviet Union and the unification of Germany;
- enlargement to the Eastern and Central European countries;
- outstanding personalities (Commissioners, civil servants, ministers);
- the Dutch discussion on nuclear energy (1980-1984);
- the Chernobyl Response Task Force.

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