We, the Mediterranean Environmental NGOs, convened on invitation by the Heinrich Boll Foundation and on the initiative of the Comite de Suivi

-Reaffirm our commitment to the objective of sustainable development called for under the Barcelona Declaration, the Work Programme and the Euro-Mediterranean Process,

-Reconfirm our commitment to the objectives of the Barcelona Declaration for peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean as a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the region,

-Reiterate that environmental protection and poverty eradication are inherently linked to sustainable development,

-Emphasise the integrated approach of these agreements and their unique nature in involving the 15 Member States and 12 non-EU Mediterranean countries in a long-term process of co-operation,

-Recall the commitments of the Euro-Mediterranean Partner countries to integrate environmental concerns into all policies as signed by head of states and governments under Agenda 21 and in accordance with other international environmental agreements,

-Underline the crucial environmental importance of the Mediterranean, as recognised by the member states under such international frameworks as the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), and the very serious threats facing the region as a result of: armed conflicts, rapid population growth and urbanisation, expanding infrastructure, industrial pollution, transboundary air pollution, water pollution, and transboundary transport of hazardous waste, unsustainable tourism, deterioration of historic monuments and degradation of cultural heritage and depletion of natural resources including ovefishing, desertification and loss of biodiversity, which under current circumstances are exceeding the carrying capacity of the Mediterranean environment,

-Welcome the adoption of the Short And Medium Term Action Programme on the Environment (SMAP) in Helsinki, in November 1997, as a framework for co-operation in the field of environment and sustainable development,

-Congratulate the European Commission for its efforts in creating an innovative process of consultation with NGOs in the framework of the SMAP,

-Stress that the principle of sustainability should be reflected not only in the SMAP but into the whole Euro-Med Process.

-Express concern of the negative impacts, which the proposed Mediterranean Free Trade Zone (MFTZ), without appropriate measures being taken, might bring about.

-Regret that due to inadequate human resources and operational constraints, the programmes and financial instruments that should ensure the protection of the Mediterranean environment, i.e. the SMAP and LIFE Third Countries, encounter serious difficulties in being implemented,

-Emphasis the need for greater transparency in the Euro-Mediterranean Process and for greater participation of Civil Society as a key element leading to regional understanding, co-operation, Long lasting peace and sustainable development around the Mediterranean. Highlight the integrated (environment and development) approach applied by NGOs and the variety of initiatives taken by Civil Society.

-Support initiatives by other Civil Society groupings (on debt, democracy, gender, health, human rights, non-proliferation, and labour rights) which are underway and which we, as environmental associations, support in so far as they promote sustainable development in the region,

-Recommend that the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs:

1. Recognise in their final Declaration that a Euro-Med Sustainable Development Strategy for the next 15 years should urgently be developed.

2. Establish a "Euro-Mediterranean Sustainable Trade Area" which is based on economically viable; socially equitable and environmentally positive development.

3. Promote the integration of environmental policies into all fields of co-operation foreseen in the Barcelona Declaration as is agreed in the Amsterdam Treaty by:

• Internalising environmental and social costs,

• Securing the integration of environmental and sustainability measures in the work programme of the sectorial fora (energy, transport, agriculture and industry) of the Euro-Med process,

• Adopting specific measures to prevent negative impacts on the environment of planned economic activities, such as the immediate establishment of independent environmental impact and risk assessment procedures for projects financed under the Euro-Med Partnership and carry out a Strategic Sustainability Impact Assessment, SSIA, of the proposed MFTZ, and subsequent monitoring.

• Avoiding outdated technology dumping by applying at least EU standards for investments, and prohibiting the export of nuclear waste and nuclear technology in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership

• Applying environmental criteria to the negotiation of new bilateral agreements and to the establishment of National Indicative Programmes (NIPS). Ensure that civil societies, through NGOs are present in the planning and implementation of indicative programmes and that Environmental Ministries are also part of the process.

• Including specific reference to the environment and sustainable development in the new version of the MEDA Regulation. To that end a transparent and participatory review of MEDA I is strongly recommended. We call for an annual report detailing the use of MEDA funds to be made publicly available.

4. Establish a dispute resolution mechanism for potential trade and environment disputes arising out of the proposed MFTZ.

5. Make all loans compatible with the carrying capacity of the region and aligning lending procedures with those of other Multilateral Development Banks. The European Investment Bank (EIB) as a main financial mechanism for the implementation of the Euro-Med Partnership should be used as a leverage for sustainable development and improve its level of transparency and accountability.

6. Consider that the foreign debt of many non-EU Mediterranean countries is a significant constraint, which hinders their development and therefore take the necessary measures to convert their debt into projects promoting sustainable development.

7. Support the Commission efforts for environmental integration by

• Strengthening the ability of the European delegations in the partner countries to inform and support local NGOs.

• Enhancing the role of the European Commission in integrating environment in the Barcelona Process, and notably the role of DG-XI where a "Mediterranean Task Force" should be established. Such a Team could be responsible of the management of programmes and financial instruments, such as the SMAP or LIFE Third Countries, and of increasing the profile of the EU in regional and international Mediterranean fora.

8. Give full support to the SMAP programme, by providing at least 10% of financial resources of the MEDA regional envelope per year from 2000 onwards. A similar percentage should also be allocated in the national context to environmental activities. Among the activities for which funds are allocated priority should be given to enable Mediterranean non-EU member countries to further develop their environmental legislation and to strengthen their institutional capacity to deal with the environment.

9. Facilitate the access of Mediterranean Environmental NGOs to the funds available under the Euro-Med process, notably by simplifying the administrative procedures and avoid governmental approval and bank guarantees for NGO projects. Administration of projects should be decentralised and local EU delegations should be enabled to quickly grant support to projects of various magnitudes, including micro-action projects.

10. Achieve synergy effects by supporting other environmental initiatives and programmes in which Mediterranean countries and the EU participate, such as MAP/MCSD, METAP. Moreover, this support allows for a regional approach by integrating into the Euro-Mediterranean Process those countries which up to now were excluded.

11. Assure full participation of Civil Society and notably NGOs in decision-making, implementation and evaluation of the Euro­Med Process both at regional and national level. Support NGO capacity building and access to information to achieve this goal.

Finally, the undersigned NGOs would like to reaffirm their strong commitment to the goals of increased co-operation in the Euro Mediterranean region, that lie at the core of the Euro-Med Partnership which offer new possibilities for peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development in the Mediterranean.

The above text was formulated taking into account the preparatory round tables, which were held in Algeria, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, East Jerusalem, Istanbul, Rabat and Tel-Aviv.