Judgment_paragraph 32 · WWF Italia Onlus and Others v Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri and Azienda Nazionale Autonoma Strade SpA (ANAS) (C-411/19)

32According to Article 6(2) of the Habitats Directive, the Member States have a general obligation to take appropriate steps to avoid, in special areas of conservation, the deterioration of habitats and significant disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated (judgments of 7 September 2004, Waddenvereniging and Vogelbeschermingsvereniging, C‑127/02, EU:C:2004:482, paragraph 32, and of 20 September 2007, Commission v Italy, C‑304/05, EU:C:2007:532, paragraph 92). That obligation contributes to the intended creation of a coherent European ecological network, described in the seventh recital of that directive (judgment of 20 September 2007, Commission v Italy, C‑304/05, EU:C:2007:532, paragraph 93).