MINISTERIAL MEETING

«ADRIATIC – A CENTRAL EUROPEAN SEA

UNDER PRESSURE»

Zadar, 6 June 2003

Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning hosted a ministerial meeting called «Adriatic – a Central European Sea under Pressure» in Borik, Zadar on 6th June 2003, where the following environment ministers and delegations were invited: Albania, Algeria, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina (both entities), Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Libya, Macedonia, Monaco, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey.

The incentive for organising this meeting was drawn from concerns over ever-increasing pressures on the Adriatic Sea, such as maritime transport, fishery and mariculture, as well as tourism and other activities. Adverse impacts on the seawater and marine life are expected to grow if protection and prevention measures are not planned.

The ministers gave their contribution in terms of proposals, advice and exchange of their countries’ experiences with regard to the steps to be taken in order to preserve the Adriatic. The discussion covered a wide range of topic issues, such as tourism, maritime traffic, the oil pipeline and contingency plans, land-based pollution sources and pollution reduction measures, marine pollution monitoring and integrated coastal zone management, mariculture and biological diversity.

In order to meet the needs of the present generations with respect of the rights of the future ones, a central objective of dealing with aforementioned matters is to ensure the promotion and practice of three principles of sustainable development: the social, economic and environmental one. On the ministerial agenda item Sustainable Development a representative UNEP/MAP (United Nations Environmental Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan) Coordination Unit has presented their work as well as draft Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development as an outcome of the meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development that took place in Cavtat, Croatia from 14 to 16 May 2003.

Another topic of discussion was new linkages among the countries in the context of the new European political map. The countries of South Eastern European region reiterated their intention to continue growing strong bonds with the enlarged Europe, especially with the recently joined EU members.

In addition, Croatia has informed the participants on the preparations for the third conference of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) in Croatia, 2004.