Pepe Calls Mediterranean Countries To Sign Urgent Intervention Protocol

CATANIA - Environment and Forestry Minister Osman Pepe called on Thursday Mediterranean countries to sign Urgent Intervention protocol.
Making a speech during the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea and of its Coastal region in Catania, Italy, Pepe said that development of Mediterranean Sustainable Development Commission with its strengthened authorities and roles was an important initiative.
Pepe said that this initiative had a very important role in preparation of Sustainable Development Strategy in the Mediterranean.
Recalling that Barcelona Convention and many protocols regarding this convention were approved by Turkey in 2002, Pepe said that Urgent Intervention protocol was significant. He added that he invited all of Turkey's neighbors in Mediterranean to accept this protocol.
Pepe said that Action Plan in the Mediterranean was important for the European Union (EU). He added that Mediterranean was significant for Europe as it took place in a very strategical region in the aspects of transportation, natural resources, environment and ecology. He said that also enlargement policy of EU would directly affect economical, social and environmental profile of Mediterranean.
Pepe is expected to hold bilateral meetings in Catania.
(GC-UK) 13.11.2003