The Protection of the Mediterranean from landbased pollution Stakeholders meeting Athens 1011 Octobe

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The Protection of the Mediterranean from
land-based pollution Stakeholders meeting
Athens 10-11 October 2005 The initiative of
the European Commission for the de-pollution of
the MediterraneanGeorge StrongylisEuropean
Commission
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Euro-Mediterranean Process (Barcelona Process)

• Framework of political, economic and social
  relations between EU and partner countries.
• Launched in 1995 (10th Anniversary in 2005)
• Association Agreements with each country
• - Environment covered under Economic
  Cooperation
• Financial support until 2006 through MEDA

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European Neighbourhood Policy

• Builds on Barcelona Process
• Action Plans for each country
• Jointly defined agenda
• Short and Medium Term Priorities
• From 2007 European Neighbourhood Policy
  Instrument (ENPI) replaces MEDA.
• Finance in support of action plans
• Budget of EU for 2007 2013 under discussion

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Main Environmental Links

• EU environmental policies and measures
• Water
• Water Framework Directive
• EU Water Initiative
• Marine Thematic Strategy
• Waste management and Industrial Pollution
• Experience of implementation to share
• Barcelona Convention
• EC is party hence part of EU body of law
• Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable
  Development

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Barcelona Process 10th Anniversary

• Summit planned for 27-28 November - Barcelona
• Should endorse work programme to re-orientate
  actions in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
• Opportunity for high level support in partner
  countries outside of environment ministries
• Proposals include environmental target
  De-pollute the Mediterranean by 2020
• Re-focus EU attention on long-standing objective
  of reducing pollution
• Will draw upon Commission experience with other
  initiatives in other regions i.e. DABLAS
• Links depollution efforts to EU political
  framework and financial tools

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Expected contribution of the initiative

• November Summit asked to agree the principle
• EU added value
• Raise wider political profile (beyond environment
  ministries)
• Use experience in EU and other regions
• Structure for EU/Partner dialogue at relatively
  high levels of government
• Refocus attention on long-standing issue of
  de-pollution
• Proposals used to justify future EU finance
  including subsidised EIB loans
• Work programme to be prepared in 2006 for a
  decision by Euro-Med Council

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Outline of suggested approach for the initiative

• Draw together existing work no duplication
• Open to all who can contribute
• Focus on limited number of sectors at first
  industrial emissions and municipal waste and
  wastewater treatment
• Runs in parallel to development of strategic
  approaches (MSSD, environmental integration into
  other sectors of ENP etc.)
• Project based
• Not too prescriptive at this stage

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PHASE 1

• First phase Identification
• Draw on existing work and institutions
• Focus at this stage on environmental concerns
• 1. Identify pollution problems along with concept
  for a solution
• 2. Group by sectors (water, waste etc.)
• 3. Appoint lead organisation

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PHASE 2

• Second Phase Prioritisation
• Bring in financial institutions
• Identify priority projects that may
  realistically be financed through international
  assistance or own funds.

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PHASE 3

• Third Phase Project development,
  implementation and evaluation
• Project preparation
• Monitor progress in development and
  implementation,
• Evaluate results and,
• Give political profile to actions

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Issues for discussion

• ? Who are the key
  contributors?
• ? How can SMAP/MAP contacts help?
• ?What obstacles to environmental
  investment have you faced and how can they be
  overcome?
• ?How to raise
  awareness beyond environmental circles?