Environment Minister warns of ‘growing inequalities’ in Mediterranean

Mediterranean countries must address the ever growing socio-economic inequalities and environmental imbalances between its nation states, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said.

“The Mediterranean is supposed to be one common sea,” Brincat told a Ministerial Conference on Environment and Renewable Energies of the Western Mediterranean Dialogue in Lisbon. “One could ill afford to ignore such pressing demands given the geographic proximity of such neighbour states, as well as the manner in which regional threats could easily morph into threats to respective countries’ own national security.”

Ostensibly referring to the Libyan conflict, he warned that intra-state conflicts and the threat of emerging failed states have become stronger than ever.

He also advocated against a one-dimensional approach to issues regarding climate change and the environment.

“Doing so would be similar to going back to the former North-South debate and controversies,” Brincat said. “Mediterranean issues must be addressed holistically as part of one area, one region and one sea.”

“We would all have to share collective responsibility, were we to sit back and allow a critical situation to get even worse,” Brincat said, while calling for a new strategic vision that offers new hope while being grounded on present day realities.

“At a time when different parts of the Mediterranean risked appearing even more than usual to be entire worlds apart, it is imperative that the Mediterranean should serve to join rather than divide its regional neighbours,” he added.