Brussels, 10/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission approved, by written procedure, at the end of 2000, the decision concerning the financing, on the basis of credits forming part of the 1999 budget, of the six first projects of the Euro-Mediterranean framework programme for the environment SMAP. The budget foreseen for the implementation of this first phase of the SMAP programme totals EUR 6,013,560. Each project should benefit from more or less a sixth of this amount. Following a first call for proposals made in 1998, the Commission had received 15 projects, of which six finally fulfilled all the conditions necessary to benefit from Community support to a value of 80% of the total cost; five contract have been signed and will be able to be implemented over a duration of between 24 and 56 months. With regards to the sixth project, the Commission has an additional period of one year (until the end of 2001) to sign the contract: the completion of the project, which concerns Israel, Palestine and Jordan, is for the moment delayed due to the events in the region.
The first six regional SMAP projects concern: (1) the protection and management of risk areas for biodiversity (Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon and Turkey): this project, coordinated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF Italy), aims to identify the points where biodiversity is especially threatened; (2) the promotion of sustainable use of agricultural lands through the introduction of biological farming methods (Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia): this project, coordination by the Egyptian Biodynamie Association (EBDA) has as aim the preservation of water and soil resources and the fight against desertification; (3) the management of solid waste (Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia): this programme, coordinated by the Arab Network for the environment and development, covers the new methods for recycling, but also aims to improve the living conditions of the local communities; (4) the integrated management of the coastal area between Jbeil/Amsheet and Latakia (Syria and Lebanon): this Project, coordinated by the Syrian Minister for the environment, aims to make this region a model in terms of sustainable development with developing tourism; (5) the management of urban waste (Spain, Egypt): this concerns a programme coordinated by the Regional Office of Arab countries and UNDP; (6) sustainable management of water resources (Israel, Palestinian territories and Jordan): the project coordinated by "Friends of the Earth - Middle and Far East".
The second phase of the implementation of the SMAP programme is already underway. It covers a budget of EUR 5 million. The call for proposals ended last 23 October with the submission of 64 regional projects whose assessment is underway.