On the occasion of the set of ideas presented by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the establishment of a “Mediterranean Union”, the 6th issue of quarterly review, “The bridge” cover story focuses on the prospects of the political, economic and cultural cooperation between European Union and third countries in the Southeast Mediterranean.
One of the articles included in the cover story of this issue is that of journalist based in Athens Harry van Versendaal. I have the impression that the title of this article “Cleaning up the Med” discloses writer’s intentions to consider the environmental aspect of the Euromediterranean cooperation. I tend to believe that Harry van Versendaal brings forward an interesting and evergreen topic. As he says in his article: “There is no time to waste. The Mediterranean maritime ecosystem is deteriorating fast and experts warn that the damage could be irreversible…The industrial emissions, municipal waste and urban waste water are said to be responsible for up to 80 percent of pollution in the Mediterranean.”
“We need to move away from the mindset in some quarters that ignores the costs of environmental damage and only sees protection from the damage as an expensive luxury that can wait until a country is wealthy enough to pay for it”, he added.
It is beyond doubt that EU doesn’t see protection from damage as an expensive luxury and in the context of the Euromediterranean partnership offers financial and technical assistance to its partners around the Mediterranean. However, it seems that EU has failed to prod the governments of these countries into taking environmental measures. So I firmly believe that EU should lay more emphasis on the harmonious coexistence of the economic development and the environmental protection. In other words, sustainable development shouldn’t remain as a declaration of an important target of the Euromediterranean Partnership. It should aslo be translated into certain actions on behalf of both partners.
One of the articles included in the cover story of this issue is that of journalist based in Athens Harry van Versendaal. I have the impression that the title of this article “Cleaning up the Med” discloses writer’s intentions to consider the environmental aspect of the Euromediterranean cooperation. I tend to believe that Harry van Versendaal brings forward an interesting and evergreen topic. As he says in his article: “There is no time to waste. The Mediterranean maritime ecosystem is deteriorating fast and experts warn that the damage could be irreversible…The industrial emissions, municipal waste and urban waste water are said to be responsible for up to 80 percent of pollution in the Mediterranean.”
“We need to move away from the mindset in some quarters that ignores the costs of environmental damage and only sees protection from the damage as an expensive luxury that can wait until a country is wealthy enough to pay for it”, he added.
It is beyond doubt that EU doesn’t see protection from damage as an expensive luxury and in the context of the Euromediterranean partnership offers financial and technical assistance to its partners around the Mediterranean. However, it seems that EU has failed to prod the governments of these countries into taking environmental measures. So I firmly believe that EU should lay more emphasis on the harmonious coexistence of the economic development and the environmental protection. In other words, sustainable development shouldn’t remain as a declaration of an important target of the Euromediterranean Partnership. It should aslo be translated into certain actions on behalf of both partners.
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