accountability. [9] These principles were described as the underpinning of democracy, not only for the Member States, but also for the Union. Also in this year the Laeken Declaration on the future of the EU was adopted which noted that the EU “derives its legitimacy from the democratic values it projects, the aims it pursues and the powers and instruments it possesses” as well as from its “democratic, transparent and efficient institutions.”[10] Nevertheless, the document set forth a lengthy list of questions illustrating the need to “increase the democratic legitimacy” of the EU’s institutions.[11] The Member States recognized ‘the need to improve and to monitor the democratic le Environmental Laws and Regulations gitimacy and transparency of the Union and its institutions, in order to bring them closer to the citizens of the Member States’.[12] They agreed to convene a new intergovernmental conference (IGC) in 2004 in order to agree the necessary changes in the Treaties.[13] According to Sharpf, a political scientist who is basically in the for front of European studies and who’s concepts are often used in literature when legitimacy is discussed, legitimacy is the relation between the ruler and the ruled. ‘Citizens’ values must be reflected and incorporated in the decision-making system’.[14] Political systems can only r Environmental Laws and Regulations each legitimacy when they have the competence or the power to decide how it will be governed, which guarantees that the government is of the people, by the people and for the people.[15] Sharpf thus has identified three important types of legitimisation with regard to the EU. ‘Output legitimacy’ refers to government for the people where support is granted on the basis of improved efficiency in provision of goods and services, as well as an increased European problem-solving capacity and where the legitimacy is derived from interest of the p Environmental Laws and Regulations eople.[16] ‘Input legitimacy’ refers to government by the people with main features like direct legitimation t Environmental Laws and Regulations hrough the elected European Parliament; citizens’ participation and consultation; and better transparency in taking decisions so where policies and choices must be a reflection of the will of people.[17] ‘Borrowed’ legitimacy refers to government of the people where indirect legitimation through the member states and their democratic representatives operating at different levels.[18] The ‘borrowed’ and the ‘output’ theories are difficult to justify legitimacy in the light of the EU though there are scientist who disagree, as we will see later on.[19] And from the above mentioned we can draw among others a conclusion that more emphasis to decrease ‘democratic deficit’ will increa Environmental Laws and Regulations se the legitimacy of the EU. Therefore a need for a greater ‘input’ legitimacy which is related to increased citizen participation, better representation, improved accountability and efficient and transparent decision-making procedures has been viewed as one possible solution.>