During the 16th plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), EPP-CoR members emphasised the local and regional dimension of water resilience. They called for harmonised environmental standards across the Mediterranean, stronger cooperation in knowledge and technology, and action starting at the local level — however small.
Anthony Chircop: “Equal Environmental Standards Are Vital for Water Resilience”
Anthony Chircop, President of Malta’s Eastern Region, underlined Malta’s strategic position at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, where countless vessels transit daily increasing risks of oil spills and discharge of pollutants. He expressed concern that while many countries plan new desalination plants to offset water scarcity, environmental standards remain uneven across the region.
“European regulations restrict the discharge of certain pollutants, yet similar rules are not equally enforced along other Mediterranean coasts,” he warned. “What is strictly controlled on one side may be ignored on the other — and that imbalance poses a serious risk to our shared environment and resource.”
Adrián Zittelli: “Water Resilience Is Built by Connecting Territories, Not Isolating Them”
Adrián Zittelli Ferrari, Director General for EU Affairs in the Government of Murcia, described his region as a “laboratory for water solutions” with less than 300 mm of rainfall annually but reusing over 98% of treated water. Murcia leads in irrigation efficiency and sustainable infrastructure thanks to European funding.
He recalled that in 2024, through the CPMR Intermediterranean Commission, 40 regions adopted a joint position calling for:
- Multilevel water governance with regional participation,
- Integration of reuse and desalination,
- Modernisation of infrastructure supported by EU funds, and
- A dedicated Mediterranean strategy pillar on water, soil, and carbon farming.
Zittelli outlined three pillars for true Mediterranean water resilience:
- Smart redistribution of existing resources.
- Valorisation of regenerated and desalinated water as sustainable sources.
- Regional cooperation to share technology and climate-adapted solutions.
“Resilience cannot rely solely on local efficiency,” he said. “It requires solidarity-based governance — a principle deeply rooted in EU cohesion policy.”
Noel Formosa: “Water Can Be a Driver of Peace and Stability”
Noel Formosa, Mayor of San Lawrenz (Gozo), stressed that the Mediterranean can become a powerful engine for Europe’s peace and stability through shared water management.
“Through cooperative water governance, maritime research, and the joint protection of marine ecosystems, we can turn shared resources into a source of unity rather than conflict,” he said.
Highlighting the role of islands, Formosa noted that small communities like San Lawrenz — one of Europe’s smallest municipalities — invest in water catchments vital for agriculture. He called islands and coastal regions “platforms for blue diplomacy,” fostering dialogue among Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East on sustainable fisheries, marine protection, and climate resilience.