Information
& Training Seminar for Diplomats
15th -17th March, 1997
Papers
EURO-MEDITERRANEAN
PARTNERSHIP - MINISTERIAL
CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT,
European
Commission, DG IB/A/1, 06/01/97
General
framework
Regional
co-operation in integrating environmental considerations into broader
economic decision-making has proved to contribute favourably to:
- integration
of various activities that have previously been considered disparate
- trade
and socio-economic relations
- institution
and capacity building
- accessibility
to and quality of environmental information
- strengthening
of political and economic stability in the region.
Such
benefits have been experienced within the framework of various regional
activities, in particular through broad co-operation in the Arctic
and Baltic regions. The Action Plan for the protection of the marine
environment of the Mediterranean regions is another good example.
However,
much needs still to be done in all regions to better integrate environmental,
economic and social policies nationally and internationally. This
process could be enhanced by developing comprehensive strategies
for each of the regions that recognise the knowledge, skills and
values of the people concerned while promoting international agreement
regarding policies and measures to be adopted by the individual
countries.
Steps
have been taken to promote regional application of Agenda 21, the
work programme produced by the UN Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED). Stimulus for this effort in turn came earlier
from the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development
(Brundtland Commission) published in 1987.
The
Barcelona Work programme provides for a short and medium-term priority
action programme to be co-ordinated by the Commission, to be supplemented
by long-term actions. A system of contact points is being set up
to co-operate on the work on such a programme.
Purposes
of the initiative
The
Barcelona Committee decided on 19 November 1996 to engage in a process
of sharing experiences among several countries in order to contribute
to the development of a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive approach
to enhance long-term sustainable development in the Mediterranean
region. The work undertaken on the priority action programme should
form the basis of the discussion. The purposes of the initiative
include, inter alla:
- enhancement
of the quality of human health and the environment
- creation
of a focus for integration of environment and development
- identification
of priorities and areas for further co-operation.
Longer-term benefits
- This
strategy should ultimately result in multiple benefits in various
disciplines, such as:
- enhancement
of functioning of infrastructures and institutions
- better
allocation of human and natural resources
- contribution
to better environmental awareness
- development
and transfer of environmentally friendly technologies.
Contact
point
Ms.
Satu Nurmi
Deputy Director General
Ministry of the Environment
PL 399;00121 Helsinki, FINLAND
Tel:
358-9-1991 3913
Fax: 358-9-1991 9716
European
Commission, DG IB/A/1, 06/01/97
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