26As a preliminary point, it should be recalled that Article 3(2) of the Habitats Directive requires the Member States to contribute to the creation of the Natura 2000 network in proportion to the representation, within their respective territories, of the natural habitat types listed in Annex I to that directive and the habitats of species listed in Annex II thereto, and to designate, to that effect, at the end of the procedure established by that directive and in accordance with Article 4 thereof, sites as special areas of conservation.