MED Info est le bulletin électronique de MED Forum, Réseau d'ONG de la Méditerranée pour l'Écologie et le Développement durable

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1. MED Forum News

• European Environment Bureau (EEB) BioDiversity Seminar Agenda

Representatives of Mediterranean NGOs from the BioDiversity workgroup of the EEB, (members of NGOs of the European Union (EU) countries and of accession countries), met on may 5th in Brussels (Belgium), in order to debate the possibility to create a Mediterranean workgroup inside the EEB. Finally, it was decided that the members of the thematic workgroups of Mediterranean countries would elaborate a brief report about the matters concerning the Mediterranean basin, in order to allow the co-ordination among the Mediterranean members.

On the other hand, the BioDiversity workgroup, which gathered about thirty representatives of NGOs of EU and a EU accession countries, developed the planned agenda. First, it introduced the present complaint mechanisms available for the NGOs when addressing to the EU to demand against the non compliance of legislation concerning environmental matters; it also discussed the causes of their inefficiency and made several proposals of improvement.

The next activities in the DG ENV (Directorate General Environment) of the EU concerning the protection of habitat and species, BioDiversity strategies, protection of nature outside the NATURA 2000 Network and the complaint mechanisms, were also presented.

Besides, the implementation of the BioDiversity Convention was discussed, specially the case of Ireland and the NGOs' lack of participation during the process. It was decided that each NGOs will answer a questioner about the process of implementation of the Convention in their country.

With regard to the expansion of the EU, Hungary's case was examined and the problems about the protection of the BioDiversity which may rise during the process. Specially the danger if the harmonisation between the country and the UE focuses on integration (politic and economic) while forgetting the conservation of BioDiversity. The need of greater proactive action from the NGOs was pointed out.

The BioDiversity group will continue studying the BioDiversity theme, dividing it in different thematic areas to be developed in sub-workgroups.

The BioDiversity group had a meeting with members of the European Parliament to debate the need and the actual state of a possible community Directive about Integrated Management of the Coastal Zones. The Parliamentaries were sceptical at the possibility of a regional Directive due to the reticence of the countries about a theme of territorial sovereignty.

For further information: Ramon Sanromà. MEDForum@pangea.org

• Réunion MED Forum avec le Réseau Ecole et Nature

Coopération TELEMAC et PLANET'ERE

Une réunion de travail entre le Réseau MED Forum et le Réseau National Ecole et Nature (France) a eu lieu à la Maison de l' Environnement de Montpellier (France) le vendredi 23 Mars 2001. Elle était centrée sur le mode de coopération que les deux organisations pourraient monter ensemble pour l'avancement dans le projet TELEMAC et pour préparer PLANET'ERE, Forum International de l'Education Environmentale, (Novembre 2001). Mr. Roland Gérard a présenté avec beaucoup de choses concrètes et conceptuelles le Réseau Ecole et Nature, ainsi que PLANET'ERE en tant que Coordonnateur International. MED Forum a été présenté par son Secrétaire Général Mr. Rafael Madueno, ainsi que le grand Projet TELEMAC. Mr. Abbas Zahreddine a présenté MEDIT'ERE, comme moyen de regrouper les acteurs de l'ERE en Méditerranée et préparer les rapports des pays avant le grand sommet de Paris PLANET''RE (18-23 Novembre 2001).

Pour plus d'information: Abbas Zahreddine. MEDForum@pangea.org

• Séminaire du Projet SEAM. Evaluation de la phase I et future du projet.

Venezia Magazzini del Sale (Italie). O3-07 Mars 2001

Un séminaire intermédiaire du Projet SEAM lancé par Forum per la Laguna (membre de MED Forum) fut organisé à Venice pour une évaluation collective avec les NODES du projet et des partenaires engagés depuis son lancement en Août 1999. Une évaluation où l'association italienne Forum per la Laguna insiste sur un future durable du SEAM, donc à savoir la création d'un Réseau d'éducation environnementale marine autour du bassin Méditerranéen.

MED Forum, parmi des partenaires potentiels présents a présenté son point de vue quant à la nécessité de coordonner les efforts et voir une dynamique inter-réseau se met en place. Le séminaire a débuté par la présentation introductive de la part de Mr. Aldo MANOS (Président du Forum per la Laguna) en mettant l'accent sur les objectifs initiaux du SEAM (1) établir des réseaux locaux actifs (2) faire fonctionner un réseau efficace international (3) développer des instruments appropriés pour réseaux (4) aider des pays en assession et (5) adhérer des partenaires.

Des présentations de la part des NODES du SEAM et de la part des représentants de l'UE, de la part des villes italiennes, et des institutions ont eu lieu.

Pour plus d'information: Abbas Zahreddine. MEDForum@pangea.org

During the next 19^th , 20^th and 21^st October 2001 will be held in Barcelona the VI Mediterranean Environmental Forum organized by MED Forum.

After the event, during the 22^nd and 23^rd October 2001 the 2^nd General Assembly of MED Forum will take place in the same city.

We will continue informing you about the preparation of these events.

• VI Forum Environnemental Méditerranéen.

Durant le 19, 20 et 21 Octobre 2001 sera tenu à Barcelone le 6ème Forum Environnemental Méditerranéen organisé par MED Forum.

Après cet événement, le 22 et 23 Octobre 2001, la 2ème Assemblée Générale de MED Forum aura lieu dans la même ville.

Nous continuons à vous faire parvenir sur les préparations de ces événements

ECAS-CAF Offer To House NGO Representatives From Applicant States The two organisations offer free office space for one person at the CAF European office which is run by Gabriela Voicu.

The organisation concerned would not pay rent, but would cover telephone and Internet costs. The minimum period for the NGO representative to become thoroughly familiar with the EU is probably 6 months - and this could be extended to one year. The office space at CAF is just across the road from the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and ECAS where the documentation centres of the two organisations are located. ECAS and CAF staff will assist national representatives.

More information at:

http://www.ecas.org/more_news.asp?id=140

and:

http://www.ecas.org/Backoffice/actions/BinDoc.asp?id=140&filename=Con_PP_1_1

• AN ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IN KAZANLI, TURKEY !

(We have received information about the accident occurred in Turkey. As MEDASSET ask to gain maximum publicity we repeat some of the paragraph. Further and complete information is available at the MEDASSET web page, a joint project between the University of Exeter, the Biology Department of King's College, Taunton (Somerset UK) and the conservation group MEDASSET (Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles).

On 6 th March 2001, workers at the soda-chrome factory bulldozed the land bridge separating effluent basins of the factory from the sea, discharging the contents into the Mediterranean. The entire sea in front of the factory turned red, and remained so for the following days.

The contaminated sample from the sea in front of Kazanli had a chromium concentration above 5.4 mg/l, 13,500 times higher than the natural occurrence in seawater, and 2.7 times higher than German limits for wastewater! Chromates are estimated to be stable for 50 years in alkaline conditions, and reach the groundwater, even through tenacious soils. Chromium exists in various forms, of which Chromium (VI) is by far the most poisonous, causing skin ulceration, allergies and cancer. Oxidation reduces chromium (VI) to chromium (III), which forms complexes with DNA and is mutagenous. The chemical effluent has a high content of highly poisonous, carcinogenic chromium (VI) compounds, and is stored until oxidation has taken place. According to local reports, these hazardous chemical substances are released into the sea on a regular basis. It is logical to conclude that the factory has no alternative treatment for this highly toxic chromium effluent.

This practise is against international laws for the sea, in particular the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution. The Government of Turkey must take immediate steps to stop this violation.

In view of the high toxicity MEDASSET (The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles) has great fears regarding the long-term effects on the local over-wintering, visiting and nesting populations of green turtles. We sincerely hope that the relevant authorities are closely monitoring local fish catches, the seawater for bathing, and the ground water used for drinking.

Please do all you can to help us gain maximum publicity for this ecological disaster.

The full analytical report prepared by UMWELTBÜRO WOLF, together with some photographs and the previous press release, is available in .pdf format from : -

http://www.ex.ac.uk/telematics/EuroTurtle/medas/kazanlirep.htm

EuroTurtle We Site.

http://www.ex.ac.uk/MEDASSET/homep.htm

Official site:

http://www.earthsummit2002.org/

UN: (19-3-2001)

http://www.un.org/rio+10/

www.MEDForum.org