44It would be incompatible with the binding effect attributed to a directive by Article 288 TFEU to exclude, in principle, the possibility that the obligations which it imposes may be relied on by those concerned. The effectiveness of Directive 92/43 and its aim, which is recalled in the previous paragraph of the present judgment, require that individuals be able to rely on it in legal proceedings, and that the national courts be able to take that directive into consideration as an element of EU law in order, inter alia, to review whether a national authority which has granted an authorisation relating to a plan or project has complied with its obligations under Article 6(3) of the directive, recalled in paragraph 42 of the present judgment, and has thus kept within the limits of the discretion granted to the competent national authorities by that provision (see, to that effect, judgment of 7 September 2004, Waddenvereniging and Vogelbeschermingsvereniging, C‑127/02, EU:C:2004:482, paragraphs 66 and 69).
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