Opening words by president Reijo Vauhkonen, Verona, 07.10.2006

My dear colleagues and representatives of the General Assembly

I took over the presidency in Verona on Oct. 9, 2004. Before my election I invited all member federations to the Finnish stone center in Juuka where the major decision was to introduce a common logo for “Natural Stone”. From Juuka the message went to all people working in the European stone industry. In the meantime several hundred licenses have signed, but there is still a long way to go to have the logo in the public view.

In the future (up to 2013) the EU foresees the so called platform strategy. It is very important that Euroroc is on one of these platforms (European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources) to be eligible on programs on research and recognised as official partner for joint ventures.

There has been a lot of discussion going on whether silica dust incorporates the risk of causing cancer. The industry agreed with the Commission and the trade union on certain protection measures that are already in effect in most EU-countries. By signing the drafted agreement (Social dialog agreement) Euroroc avoids natural stone to be on the EU-list on cancerous products and so avoids restrictions and report duties.

The Commission is preparing a report on competitiveness. The main aims of this assessment are, in accordance with EU industrial policy, to provide an objective overview of the activities of the non-energy extractive industry, i.e. the natural stone industry and to assess the key factors that have been identified by stakeholders to affect its competitiveness. It is hoped that the output from the study can be used as a sound platform for any future policy discussion concerning the industry.

To achieve these aims the study has the following objectives:

• To characterise the EU natural stone industry, its markets and main competitors;
• To identify and assess factors which impact on the competitiveness of the sector
• To provide recommendations for further discussion.

We all know how important the Mining Waste Directive is for the whole quarry management. The question is what is inert and hazardous waste. We have to make sure in the TAC working groups that stone remnants do not need special treatment. The fact that the EU officials now finally acknowledge this fact as something one has really to talk about is a big achievement of Euroroc. We all should also try to influence on national level to the representatives of TAC.

Dear colleaques,

I would like to thank you all and also professor Merke of good co-operation during my two years period as the president of Euroroc.

FEDERATION EUROPEENNE & INTERNATIONALE DES INDUSTRIES DE LA PIERRE NATURELLE

EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF NATURAL STONE INDUSTRIES