[Documents/Docheader.htm]Sustainable development of the Adriatic : co-operation between local and regional authorities
Doc. 10290
28 September 2004Motion for a recommendation
presented by Mr Crema and othersThis motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it
The Parliamentary Assembly has been concerned about and dealing with the environment, fisheries and co-operation in semi-enclosed seas, especially in the Mediterranean, for many years. The protection of its resources and biotopes is of vital importance for many European countries.
In addressing more efficiently those problems, the Assembly emphasised the need for co-operation at sub-regional level, in particular in the Adriatic basin.
The high sensitivity of the marine and coastal areas of the Adriatic is an issue of concern. Its environmental protection is central for the socio-economic development in the region.
Because of the enclosed nature of the Adriatic, increasing pressures on the environment from economic activities are becoming an even more serious threat to the sustainable development of the region.
The Adriatic area is under very heavy pressure because of fast growing urbanisation, various economic land based and marine activities, including tourism and infrastructure development, overexploitation of fisheries, hazardous maritime transport, unsustainable forest management, etc.
Fast growing maritime oil transport and the creation of new oil terminals represent additional and growing pressures and threats to the marine environment, especially in the Adriatic.
Cross-border co-operation has already been initiated. However, greater international co-operation is needed at all political levels to deal with prevention of pollution and oil spill emergencies. Moreover, implementation of necessary measures both at national and international levels should be strengthened.
The sustainable development of the Adriatic has to take into consideration the different political, economic and cultural backgrounds of the riparian countries, thus calling for a sub-regional approach. Only an innovative approach, considering the Adriatic as a single water basin would allow global management based on trans-boundary co-operation.
The Council of Europe, particularly the Assembly, has a major role to play as a catalyst among the governments, parliaments and local and regional authorities concerned for effective implementation of trans-boundary co-operation aiming at the sustainable development of the Adriatic basin.
Signed [1]:
CREMA, Giovanni, Italy, SOC
de PUIG I OLIV�, Llu�s Maria, Spain, SOC
DORIC, Miljenko, Croatia, LDR
DUIVESTEIJN, Adri, Netherlands, SOC
DUPRAZ, John, Switzerland, LDR
ETHERINGTON, Bill, United Kingdom, SOC
FERN�NDEZ AGUILAR, Adolfo, Spain, EPP/CD
FLYNN, Paul, United Kingdom, SOC
GOULET, Daniel, France, LDR
GUBERT, Renzo, Italy, EPP/CD
H�GMARK, Anders G., Sweden, EPP/CD
LENGAGNE, Guy, France, SOC
LONCLE, Fran�ois, France, SOC
MEALE, Alan, United Kingdom, SOC
NAZAR� PEREIRA, Ant�nio, Portugal, EPP/CD
NESSA, Pasquale, Italy, EPP/CD
O'HARA, Edward, United Kingdom, SOC
PLATVOET, Leo, Netherlands, UEL/GUE
PUCHE RODR�GUEZ ACOSTA, Gabino, Spain, EPP/CD
STOYANOVA, Maria, Bulgaria, EPP/CD
SOC
EPP
EDG
LDR
UEL
NRSocialist Group
Group of the European People’s Party
European Democratic Group
Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group
Group of the Unified European Left
Not registered in a group