ICZM Protocol close to signature

From June 13-16, 2007, Split was for the second time the host city for the Fourth Meeting of the Working Group (WG) to prepare the final draft of the ICZM Protocol. The WG very thoroughly discussed the still open articles and reviewed the whole text once again so as to have the final draft. The meeting was very successful and all the members of the WG, the Secretariat and PAP/RAC in particular expressed great satisfaction with the work done. Namely, the WG, with the exception of a few articles to which some countries still have some reservations, has accomplished the task entrusted by the Contracting Parties at their Ordinary Meeting in Portoroz, in November 2005. In the month to come, the Secretariat will meet with the countries in question so as to solve the open issues and present to the MAP Focal Points and to the Contracting Parties meetings the final draft. There is a great chance to adopt the ICZM Protocol and sign it in December this year at the Diplomatic conference.

This will on the one side complete a very demanding process of consultations and drafting of the Protocol that we all hope will contribute to sustainable development of the Mediterranean coastal areas. On the other side, the signed Protocol will open a new page in the formal process of its ratification and preparatory activities for PAP/RAC as a responsible RAC to assist countries in the implementation of the Protocol's clauses.