We, the members of the CdS*, would like to thank the European Commission for inviting us to participate in this meeting.
We would also like to:
* reaffirm our commitment to the objective of sustainable development called for under the Barcelona Declaration, the Work Programme and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Process;
* emphasize the need for greater and more essential participation of civil society in the whole process as a key element leading to regional understanding, efficient co-operation, long lasting peace and sustainable development around the Mediterranean;
* make clear that:
the CdS and the Mediterranean NGOs in general, welcomed the initiative of the European Commission to undertake the co-ordination of the SMAP as a framework for co-operation in the field of environment and sustainable development, within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership;
Prior to and since the last SMAP Correspondents Meeting (Brussels, 16/11/98) the CdS has on many occasions proven its commitment and support of the efforts made by the European Commission in the implementation of the SMAP and has often congratulated the Commission for its efforts in ensuring an innovative process of consultation with NGOs.
At the same time however,
* we would like to convey, this time with more emphasis, our concern and disappointment in the apparent lack of any concrete progress or tangible commitment on the part of the Commission to reform its procedures, speed up the process and make the necessary human resources available for the proper management of this Program.
* We feel that the selection process left out important projects, while the seven initiatives selected more than a year ago have not been formally approved and funded yet.
* We are concerned about the cut down in the budget proposals initially submitted by the seven projects, as this implies for the implementing parties financial burden, particularly for those projects where joint commitments were taken with local authorities.
* We regret that only one call for proposals has been published under MEDA I, contrary to what was committed in Helsinki.
We therefore urge all the competent bodies to:
* Support the SMAP by devoting higher financial resources both in the regional and bilateral envelopes of MEDA.
* Publish the new Call for Tenders based on revised SMAP criteria, aimed to reduce the difficulties faced by the NGOs and others in formulating and submitting proposals. The issue of public awareness and information on environmental matters should be given much higher priority and support.
* Create a pre-proposal submission phase and provide financial and technical support for project development by NGOs and local authorities.
* Facilitate the access of Mediterranean Environmental and Development NGOs to the funds available by:
a. Simplifying the administrative procedures
b. Restricting some financial technicalities (e.g. bank guarantees) and dispensing the required governmental approval (especially in the case of regional projects) for NGO projects, due to the additional delays incurred. As a decentralized initiative in its original conception - open to civil society and local authority partners - this program, aimed to support regional initiatives of common environmental interest, should not be handicapped by heavy National institutional procedures. Attention should also be given to avoiding any duplication in the submission of projects.
* To raise awareness about the SMAP at both official and public level. At the public level we suggest the launching of adequate information campaigns to raise awareness of the significance and potential impacts of the SMAP, as an original regional instrument envisioned to deal with the environmental dimension of the Euro Mediterranean Partnership both in EU and non-EU countries.
* To act upon the need for further transparency in the next round of the project selection process, and more coherence within the Commission policy guidelines for project submission, as well as between the Commission and its Delegations in Partner Countries, when applicable and possible.
* To facilitate, through the SMAP implementation, more and effective synergies with other Mediterranean programs and Multilateral/Intergovernmental institutions in support to the strategy of the Mediterranean Action Plan.
* Put forward in the current revision of MEDA the implementation of the supportive measures indicated in Chapter 6 of the SMAP as a tool to promote sustainable development and environmental integration in the whole process.
Finally, we are confident that the projects that will be soon initiated, after the release of the respective funding allocated to them, will demonstrate the pertinence of the SMAP, as an innovative and operational oriented mechanism to the service of a Mediterranean concerted approach of the environmental constraints; as we reiterate our appeal for a prompt launching of the 1999 call for tenders to enable within reasonable deadlines the submission of proposals and more fluid procedures in their treatment.
Comité de Suivi: RAED, EEB, FoE,
MED-Forum, MIO-ECSDE, WWF-MEDPO
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