Brussels, 11/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Researchers in several Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Israel, West Bank and Gaza Strip, Greece and Cyprus) have united their forces in a project financed by the EU to guarantee better use of water in horticulture. The "Hortimed" project has a budget of one million euros. Scientists must finalise techniques to make the crops less dependent on soft water without compromising the quality of the crop yield It will above all: - see how climate control may lower transpiration rates in greenhouses; - develop possibilities provided by water recycling; - ensure optimal use of bad quality water by increasing the saline tolerance of crops through the addition of fertilisers and nutrients. Twice a year, all scientists taking part in the project will meet to share the knowledge they have acquired and to analyse data collected. Furthermore, a common database will be created to ensure cohesion of research effort. The Commission considers that this four-year project "demonstrates that scientific cooperation can cross sensitive cultural and political boundaries".