09/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is calling on the Commission, the Council and the member states not to underestimate the importance of water management in the context of Middle East peace talks, and calls on the EU to provide financial and technical support for the rehabilitation of the Jordan River. MEPs state in a common resolution adopted on Thursday 9 September that the EU should “encourage and support a comprehensive plan to rectify the devastation of the Jordan River”, in particular its lower course, especially within “the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean”. EU action plans concluded with Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority within the framework of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) should include a clear and specific reference to rehabilitation of the river, the EP states. MEPs underline that equitable sharing of water resources and the taking into account of the needs of all inhabitants of the region will be crucial if lasting peace and stability is to be achieved in the Middle East. (H.B./transl.jl)