MIDDLE EASTERN WATER ISSUE IN THE CONTEXT OF EURO- MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE

[I have presented this paper in the “Human and Physical Infrastructure in the Contemporary Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean” workshop, which was organized by Hebrew University of Jerusalem Asian and African Studies Institute with the cooperation of Yeditepe University. The meeting was located at Yad Izhak Ben Zvi Center in Jerusalem/ISRAEL; on the date of October 15, 2006. Our session's title was “Water: Shared Commodity or a Source of Conflict”.] Dear Alon Liel was our chairman.
Merry Christmas and happy new years.
Asst.Prof.Dr.Deniz Tansi

INTRODUCTION
In the date of October 12-13 2004, there was organized a symposium about water issue which indicated Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue. The symposium was realized by Circle of Mediterranean Parliamentaries for Sustainable Development (COMPSUD) in Kadir Has University. I was reporter of a session That meeting promoted my mind for this study. In this context, speakers have expressed that, EU’s cooperation with Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine was increased. A point was highlighted which meant that, NGO’s have been committed more important functions than parliaments in the head of environmental assistance.
Beside EU’s enlargement (2004) EU Environmental Cooperation with the Balkans and Mediterranean targeted to finance new projects and to support action plans in the neighbour countries. As we note, Western Balkan countries, (Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo are commented as potential candidate countries to EU). That policy is commented in European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). ENP aims to connect relations between EU, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. Eastern Mediterranean must be considered on ENP base. Turkey and Israel occur in Eastern Mediterranean. In this study, Middle Eastern Water Issue is analyzed with Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue. Technical details is not used intensively. Transboundary water concept is especially strategic for the region. But instead of case studies, EU’s approach is evaluated. Why we prefer this method, international regulations in ENP context is accepted by Turkey and Israel. So, principles and agreements will be commented to Mediterranean basin.
Turkey and Israel can not be evaluated only with Middle East. They are also in Eastern Mediterranean basin and share this basin with other Mediterranean countries. But we must add that, we do not consider about only sea water but also rivers, lakes, underground water resources. The main question, if there can be a permanent regulation system in Mediterranean and surely Middle East.
ENP’s action plan contains four main items. “1- Internal Market 2- Cooperation on Freedom, Security and Justice 3- Connecting the Neighbourhood and Environment 4- People to People Issues. Guiding Principles of ENP are:
• Building sustainable development and enhancing basis for good environmental governance
• Need for differentiation
• Building on existing cooperation
• Need for prioritization
• Commitment and ownership
• Coherent with EU domestic policies”


ENP is built on common values which are, rule of law, good governance, the respect for human rights, the promotion of good neighbourly relations, and the principles of market economy and sustainable development. On the base of EU’s strategies, main exit point is about Mediterranean Water Crisis why water resources’ productive organization is considered. Mediterranean is categorized sub regions. Those regions: Portugal, Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Crotia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece and Turkey Northern Mediterranean; Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine Middle East; Southern Cyprus , Malta, Greek, Italian, French, Spanish and Tunisian islands consist Mediterranean Islands. European Water Framework is planned on these regions in the prior of EU. In this study, we will analyze Middle Eastern Water Issue in the context of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.


EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP(BARCELONA PROCESS)
Euro Mediterranean Partnership is the main base for Euro-Mediterranean Water Framework which is determined by ENP. Let’s consider this process from official document of COMPSUD. “The Barcelona process started in 1995, which promoted a new regional relationship and indicated a turning point in Euro-Mediterranean relations. In the Barcelona declaration, the 27 Euro-Mediterranean partners (in 1995 EU had 15 members, 27 included 15 EU members and 12 partners in the Mediterranean region: Algeria, Southern Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) established the three main objectives of the partnership:
1- The definition of a common area of peace and stability through the reinforcement of political and security dialogue.
2- The construction of a zone of shared prosperity through an economic and financial partnership and the gradual establishment (by 2010) of a free trade zone.
3- The rapprochement between peoples through a social, cultural and human partnership aimed at encouraging understanding between cultures and exchanges between civil societies.”
If ENP is planned for founding also a free trade zone, there can be an interactive relation with Middle East Free Trade Area.( MEFTA). MEFTA is intensively designed by USA, ENP is designed by EU. Free trade zones crossroads would meet in Eastern Mediterranean. ENP is political and economic network, ENP would create a Euro-Mediterranean zone. EU build Euro-Mediterranean dialogue with two main methods. “
1- Bilateral dimension: The EU carries out a number of activities bilaterally with each country. The most important are the Euro-Mediterranean association agreements that the Union negotiates with the Mediterranean partners individually. They reflect the general principles governing the new Euro-Mediterranean relationship, although they each contain characteristics specific to the relations between the EU and each Mediterranean partner.
2- Regional dimension: Regional dialogue represents one of the most innovative aspects of the partnership, covering at the same time the political, economic and cultural fields (regional cooperation). Regional cooperation has a considerable strategic impact as it deals with problems that are common to many Mediterranean partners while it emphasizes the national complementarities.”
EU’s Barcelona Process aims to found a stabilization area in Mediterranean why EU shares Mediterranean Basin with non EU countries. Therefore Mediterranean’s stabilization is a security issue for EU. Also, EU wants to influence the region. Mediterranean Basin is not only a security zone for EU, as we point out, but also economic, political and cultural zone. Barcelona Process is institutionalized these relations with agreements. Water is important about EU’s influence. It can become a threat or opportunity for EU. In this context Turkey and Israel are key actors. Turkey is a official candidate country for EU full membership and also member of NATO. Israel is connected with Western countries with economic, political relations.

EU SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (EU SDS)
For understanding Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, first of all, we must learn main objectives and priorities of EU SDS. In the COMPSUD paper, EU SDS is explained on these indicated parameters. “At the Goteborg European Council in June 2001, EU leaders adopted an European Union Strategy for sustainable Development. (EU SDS) It included a third dimension –the environment- to the twin social and economic pillars they had identified at the Lisbon European Council in March 2000 as key factors in the creation of an internationally competitive and socially inclusive European Union. In this context, the EU SDS is based on the idea that in the longer run economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection must go hand in hand. This entails a process in which a wide variety of actors, including European and national policy makers, the business community and civil society, bear a shared responsibility.
Four issues have importance about this strategy which have been indicated –Climate change and clean energy, Public health, Management of natural resources, Mobility, land use and territorial environment- . The commission proposes these issues as a set of priority and measures at EU level.
The external dimension of the strategy (towards a Global Partnership for Sustainable Development) setting out the EU’s contribution to global Sustainable Development has been agreed by the Commission and endorsed by the Environment Council in February 2002. Prior objectives aims to fight poverty and promote social development and to promote the sustainable management of natural and environmental resources.”
EU SDS promotes “sustainable management of marine and coastal zones” and “sustainable management of water”. This strategy has also correlational links about EU WFD. In this context Mediterranean Basin is evaluated as a water management zone. EU directs this process with non EU partners. EU doesn’t want a Southern Mediterranean which exist against to herself. EU SDS provides Mediterranean in only one axis. If it can’t be realized, Mediterranean can become a conflict area.



WATER CRISIS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
To analyze EU and Mediterranean zone’s water situation, we must understand, its water problems. According to Scoullos and Tomassini, there is a chronic water crisis in Mediterranean zone. But it means that, EU has same problem why she shares Mediterranean zone with non EU countries. So that, EU tries to find solutions about water crisis. The situation is also about EU’s security. EU’s endeavour is about to found a water framework with non EU countries which positioned in Mediterranean zone. Currently EU has 25 members. In 2007 Romania and Bulgaria will be member of EU. We consider about 27+12 countries. EU’s water strategy includes a region from Black Sea to Atlantic Ocean and to Red Sea. EU develops her ‘water strategy’ to live in the Mediterranean zone and to effect the other countries why to provide ‘neighbourhood policies’ Water scarcity threatens EU’s existence. Let’s consider about water scarcity. “ Water scarce countries are defined as those with less than 1000 cubic meters of fresh water available per person per year. It is not enough for those countries to provide adequate food or support economic development and a potential cause of severe environmental problems. Countries with 1000 to 1700 cubic meters per person per year are said to be ‘water stressed.’ ”. According to same resources, the arid and semi-arid countries of the Mediterranean combine a low rate of rainfall and a high rate of evaporation and transpiration. In the Middle East the Syrian Desert (Badiath El –Sham) occupies the eastern parts of Syria and Jordan, and the Negev desert encompasses the southern part of Israel extending south to the city of Eliath on the Gulf of Aqaba.
In this context, the various Mediterranean subregions and countries are reflected in the availability and access to water resources. Growth of population provokes water demand, but water supply is not enough to respond it. Scoullos and Tomassini indicates that, WHO has established a norm of 20 litres per capita per day for water use to satisfy the very basic personal and hygiene requirements. 10 lcd serve drinking and cooking needs, while the remainder goes to bathing –particularly hand washing. When water is expensive, it must be collected, if total consumption is cut under to 15 lcd, there can be possible high health risks.
According to statistics the total population of all Mediterranean countries amounted in the year 2000 to 442.5 million, where average population density was approximately 50 persons per km2. There is great differences between Middle Eastern countries about using arable lands. For instance, Egypt has 2000 people per arable hectare, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon have more than 500. In the Middle East countries, the percentage of the urban population is expected to increase from 80.84% to 81.90% in 2050. These datas show us, increasing of the population and urbanization will conclude pressures on water supply and management systems.
Mediterranean’s water crisis feeds from water conflicts. Shared water systems are the main sources of water conflicts. “Some transboundary, groundwater resources (aquifers) contain considerable fresh water quantities, enough to provide safe and good quality drinking water for many years.”
Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System and the situation of Euphrates and Tigris case are considered about shared water systems.

MAIN CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL WATER PARTNERSHIP IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
For the dialogue of effective water governance in the Mediterranean, there were made some decisions in the international meetings. “At the Cairo Workshop (December 2001) and Athens Conference (March 2002) a set of critical issues for an effective water governance in the Mediterranean were identified. Main challenges are:
• Establish proper governance of water as a common good
• Overcome fragmentation of institutions
• Overcome single sector approach
• Correct inappropriate legislative framework
• Promote enforcement mechanisms
• Mobilize financial resources and attract investment
• Promote effective multi-stakeholder participation
• Improve accountability and transparency in water management
• Utilize education and capacity building and develop knowledge and skills
• Address specificities and develop appropriate approaches for isolated Mediterranean islands.”


MAIN HEADLINES OF EURO-MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE
If we summarize of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue’s main headlines, we can analyze its strategy. Attractive outlines are listed below:
- EU-Mediterranean Dialogue on the Sustainable Development and to use of water. (In this context the Mediterranean is targeted to make peace and stabilization area, to found political and cultural security, multilateral and regional development in the Euro-Mediterranean sphere.)
- Water Framework Directive is found on these principles. (On this framework application of integrated approachment to water resources, integration approachment, information availability and accessibility, Mediterranean’s turning account of these opportunities is planned. EU’s Water Development Strategy is targeted to create with the dialogue between non EU countries
- Realization of EU Water Iniataitive Mediterranean Part is objected with the cooperation among healthy demand, water programme and projects.
- Accession to water poverty regions is targeted.
- In the context of EU Mediterranean Multilateral Dialogue, cooperation with Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine will be increased.
- NGO’s have more important functions than parliaments.
- EU’s environmental cooperation with Balkans and Mediterranean must be considered on this statement.
- EU’s bilateral relations with the Mediterranean countries is explained on the institutional agreements with Tunusia, Morocco, Israel and Lebanon. According to EU, the process will be sustained with Egypt and Algeria. Negotiations with Syria is continued. Environment sub committees are founded.
- In the headline of environmental assistance, short and medium term action plan, local water directive and water information network issues exist. To continue current programs with third countries, finance will be provided by EU.
- In the headline of Mediterranean-Private objectives, to progress current cooperation mechanisms. (Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, EU Neighbourhood Policy, EU Investment Bank’s operations are indicated.) In this context, to use MEDA for financing environmental integration is underlined.
- To realize further development in EU Neighbourhood Policy and Euro-Mediterranean Partnership area, sustainable development principles will be used. To complete instutional agreements is demanded.
- Stabilization and institutionalization process is highligted for EU Action Plan. In this headline, existing issues are: Current process with Albania, Crotia, Serbia-Montenegro and Macedonia, approachment for EU integration, , EU inputs for stabilization act.

CONCLUSION
We have arrived the conclusion in this study, EU plans to be a determiner power in Mediterranean base with sustainable development principles. After EU’s new enlargement process, EU targets to increase her control area with EU Neighbourhood Policy – especially to support poor countries’ financial problems and projects-. In this context, using and managing of water is equally important with oil why water resources are rapidly exhausted. So water resources’ effective using is underlined. EU take attention to control water resources, it is like USA’s oil control trend. Water control is about EU’s demand –it is related to be hegemonic power. EU build infrastructure for water hegemony with institutional agreements, this process provides water control to concern in international law concept. EU considered water control –as she pointed in ‘Turkey Strategy Paper’ in 2004-, to create hinterland about Southern Caucaus, Middle East and Central Asia. In NATO’s İstanbul 2004 Summit, these regions were evaulated in the context of ‘out of area’. Turkey’s status and her geographic area is a key situation about EU and bilateral relations. EU tend to be a problem solver for water conflict in Middle East. It provides to be a strategic power. Turkey and Israel must be evaulated on this base. Surely US policies are also determiner about regional issues. Western approach needs Turkey’s and Israel’s cooperation. But first of all, both of these countries to plan their national interests.
Turkey and Israel must be evaulated in Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA). Qualified Indusrial Zones (QIZ) are the starting point of this project. (QIZ which were founded between Israel and Jordan are the tangible samples of this application.) MEFTA is developed with free trade agreements. Turkey is invited MEFTA as a conditional member of EU. (According to US State Department) US aims to found custom union in Middle East with MEFTA. It provides the region to be integrated to World Trade Organization (WTO). (ENP free trade zone would enlarge MEFTA on a horizontal zone, consequently EU, US, Middle East and Mediterranean Basin would intersect on this line.)
Turkey and Israel are considered also in Proliferation Security Iniatative (PSI). (It aims to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.) They have taken place in PSI exercise recent months which has been applicated in Eastern Mediterranean.
Why I point out these points, Turkey and Israel have a common axis about security, economy and politics. (We must add culture). Bilateral relations surely include to be against terrorism in every where on the earth. (From Northern Iraq to Eastern Mediterranean.)
Water cooperation is part of this axis. US and EU’s regional approaches meet on Turkey’s and Israel’s crossroads. Bilateral relations would integrate the region to the world.