The Task Force Protected Areas had the honour to welcome the State Secretary of the German Ministry of Environment, Mr. Michael Müller, in the French protected areas of the Alps. From 27th - 30th July 2009 he visited Chambéry, the Vanoise National Park, the Ecrins National Park and the Chartreuse Nature Regional Park.

To contribute to the creation of a tight connection between the states of the alpine arc, Mr. Michael Müller schedules a visit of a different place in the Alps every year. This time it was the turn of the French parks to be the object of his attention.

The cooperation between protected areas and research are measures of special interest for the German State Secretary. Due to his scientific education Mr. Michael Müller accords a particular importance to questions linked to the climate change. He stated the wish that "the Alps should become a CO2 neutral region until 2050".

Several local personalities came to greet the German State Secretary and accompanied him during the discovery of parks and various centres of interest (House of Parks and Mountains, Phénoclim station, Museum of Alpinism ...). The parks’ staff, representatives of ALPARC and the co-workers of the State Secretary did not miss this occasion to exchange themselves on work experiences and common perspectives.