Confronting the Water Crisis in the Mediterranean Basin: What role for the European Union?

Although water is a major issue for development of the entire Mediterranean region, it is often given a backseat in the EMP. Discussions on water management tend to focus on technical rather than on social and political aspects. France will assume the European presidency in the second half of 2008 and has already announced that reinforcing the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation will be one of its main priorities. In October 2008, a conference with the European and Mediterranean ministers in charge of water policies will be organized under French presidency. In this context, it is necessary to heighten public and political attention to water related problems and ask what Europe and specifically France can do to help solving the fresh water crisis in the Mediterranean basin.

With the support of Iddri (Institute for international relations and sustainable development) and the Center for Sustainable Development at Sciences Po, this conference aims to attract the French public’s attention to the problems related to fresh water in the Mediterranean basin.

Considering the possible consequences for the EU’s Mediterranean policy, especially under French presidency starting on July 1, 2008, this conference will offer a place to develop and discuss ideas that can assist policy advisers and policy-makers from both the European Union and Mediterranean countries. It will bring together speakers with a wide range of perspectives, from multiple countries in the Mediterranean region and from diverse backgrounds – business, public administration, NGO and academia.