Med. Sea 'on the move again'

Spain's EU presidency will be determining for the Mediterranean, bringing back on to the agenda the region's relevance to Europe, President Emeritus Guido de Marco said yesterday.

Speaking in his role as chairman of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, Prof. de Marco told a seminar on the Spanish presidency of the EU, which is focusing on the Mediterranean agenda, that Spain would give it the "added inspiration" it required.

"The Mediterranean is on the move again," he said in his keynote address at the Westin Dragonara Resort.

Prof. de Marco admitted he had questioned the purpose of a rotating six-month presidency, which he had felt was too short and would not allow for continuity. But with time, he learnt that each country could leave its particular mark on the EU in that period.

Explaining his interest in Palestine and Israel, Prof. de Marco reiterated that without peace in the Middle East there could be no peace in the Mediterranean and vice versa. And without peace in the Mediterranean, there would be no peace in Europe.

He said the principle was originally upheld by former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff and Malta had always believed in it.

While welcoming the Spanish presidency's drive to revive the Union For the Mediterranean, Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg urged other member states to come on board and recognise its importance to the stability of the region. "Only then will the Mediterranean be an integral part of the European agenda," he said.

In his closing address, Dr Borg said Malta had high expectations of the Spanish presidency for the region.

"We are counting on Spain to ensure that this part of the world is not relegated to a backwater of Europe. On the contrary, the Mediterranean needs to be seen as a main contributor to European security and prosperity."

The impasse in the region had lasted far too long, Dr Borg said, adding that while Europe was busy dealing with the crippling recession, the region's concerns slipped to the bottom of its agenda.

"Pollution of the sea, together with deforestation across the region and fresh water scarcity has left the Mediterranean environment in a risky balance," Dr Borg continued.

"It is a concern that transcends national borders and has to be tackled on a regional scale. Unless bold action is taken, our unique way of life is soon to be threatened."

Dr Borg called for the development of a comprehensive Mediterranean civil protection system to safeguard its coastal populations from a natural disaster.

"Our maritime and land highways must be rendered safe and secure if we are to ever promote more regional interaction and extended trade relations," he said.