France has joined the group of EU forested member states, which operates under the name For Forest+. The main goal of the group is to develop informal cooperation in matters related to forests, to exchange information and best practices, and to search for common positions on forest policy issues in accordance with sustainable forest management.

Earlier, the group was formed by Finland, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden. Finland acts as the chairman of the For Forest+ group this year.

"It is important that the forested member states cooperate closely. Forests play a major role in our efforts to promote sustainability. Joint actions are needed in order to gain a deeper understanding of forest-related issues in the European Union", says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah in a press release.

The For Forest+ group will meet next time in August in Finland.

"At a time when forests and wood products must play a central role in the low-carbon transition and adaptation to climate change, this gives us the opportunity to defend a balanced view on forest-related issues in the European Union, taking into account the special characteristics of our forests," French Minister of Agriculture and Food Marc Fesneau.