Mediterranean News

POLITICS, ECONOMY AND CULTURE: THE THREE KEY POINTS OF THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE

RESEARCH - ECONOMY
CAPRI- FORUM ON AGRICULTURE AND AGROINDUSTRY

MEDITERINTEC THE THIRD MEDITERRANEAN SHOW OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

ECONOMY
EUROPEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN PORTS

EURO-MEDITERRANEAN INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS MEETING IN TUNIS

SEMIDE FOR WATER RESOURCES

THE TELEMATIC EXCHANGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

THE EUROMEDITERRANEAN NETWORK OF BODIES PROMOTING FOREIGN TRADE

ASSAFRICA - INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION DESKS

ITALY - FREEZERS AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROCESSING EQUIPMENT

RESEARCH - ENVIRONMENT
SAFEGUARDING THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND THE BLACK SEA

VENTOTENE- AN EUROPEAN POLE FOR SEA RESEARCHES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

SANTO STEFANO: AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER ON HUMAN RIGHTS

CULTURE
THE UNESCO MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAM

MARE NOSTRUM - INITIATIVES FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

VENTOTENE E SANTO STEFANO: SPECIAL INTERVENTIONS IN FAVOR OF ENVIRONMENT

ITALIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MISSIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
LIBYA: THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA OF CIRENE

PALESTINE- A PILOT PROJECT - ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AT TELL-ES SULTAN/JERICO

TUNISIA - RESEARCHES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SASSARI IN UCHI MAIUS

SYRIA - BOSRA

SYRIA - TELI AFIS AND THE JAZR PLAIN

MALTA: TAS-SILG AND RAS IL-WARDIJA

POLITICS, ECONOMY AND CULTURE: THE THREE KEY POINTS OF THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN DIALOGUE

According to the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.Lamberto Dini, the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue must be mainly focused on politics, economy and culture.

The Mediterranean integration and peace process implies the solution of the Arabic-Palestinian problem and the capacity to defeat terrorism which shares nothing with Islam religion.
It is also necessary to work out new emigration policies based on solidarity principles and, in this connection, the Italian Government has signed agreements with Morocco and Tunisia (and soon there will be one with Egypt) in order to prevent critical situations.

From an economic point of view, stability can be achieved through a development strategy based on technology, professional training, development of the small and medium enterprises, infrastructures.
Cooperation relations must also be promoted, and this is true also for Southern Italy whose situation has improved thanks to the growth of the small and medium enterprises.

Attention must also be paid to culture, a sector which has often been neglected and has caused many problems because of the three different religions of this area. And a Mediterranean culture can be created only through an understanding policy.

RESEARCH - ECONOMY

CAPRI- FORUM ON AGRICULTURE AND AGROINDUSTRY

From September 21 through 23, Capri is hosting a Forum on Agriculture and Agroindustry in the Mediterranean, promoted by the CNR branch for the scientific and technological cooperation with the Mediterranean countries, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of Agriculture, of University, Ismea, Cihean and other bodies and associations from different European countries.
The scope of the meeting is to work out and develop regional strategies and initiatives to boost cooperation in the agricultural sector through know how and technology transfer by involving institutions, research centers and representatives of the European and Mediterranean industrial world. A goal which can be met by resorting to the new technologies available in the agricultural and food sectors, by supplying technical assistance at all level.

Research, training, transfer will have to be supported by a consultancy activity. And in this connection, it is important to diversify production, improve the quality level and promote trade between Northern and Southern regions.
The three main topics of the Forum will be: production development, storage, market and consumption.

MEDITERINTEC THE THIRD MEDITERRANEAN SHOW OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

From December 9 through 12, Naples is hosting the third edition of Mediterintec - The Mediterranean Show of Technological Innovation at the Fiera d'Oltremare.
The event is part of the Progetto Mediterraneo: Ricerca e Formazione per i Paesi Terzi whose scope is to set up a Spazio Euro-Mediterraneo della Scienza e delle Tecnologia.

The CNR, and namely the CNR-SMED, and other scientific organizations such as MEDNET, IRTEMP and CAMPEC are working on this project.
Mediterintec III offers the opportunity to discover innovative scientific technologies referring to environment, energy, transports, agriculture, chemistry, health, economy, culture, history and philosophy, marketing, etc.

Mediterintec promoted by CNR in cooperation with the Unesco Regional Office for Science and Technologies in Europe (Venice), the Chamber of Commerce in Naples and the Ente Autonomo Mostra d'Oltremare, is also an important meeting point for operators.

ECONOMY

EUROPEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN PORTS

The key role of the ports has led to a reconsideration of the Italian and EC policies referring to this sector. Ports are extremely important for the economy system and, in this connection, many initiatives have been undertaken.
According to a recent survey carried out by Uniontrasporti on 900 enterprises located in four European countries (Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany), ports are considered as places capable of offering many business prospects. And cooperation among the enterprises involved in port activities can be extremely profitable. Cooperation could mean, in fact, meeting the market requests and being more competitive than other ports.

In order to meet these goals, it is necessary, however, to create new infrastructures, to set up new relations with the cities nearby and to renovate some ports in Italy, in Europe and in the United States, which cannot cope with the present needs of the sea traffic.
And within the framework of a dynamic economic system, ports should be more and more efficient.

Italy is trying to fill the gap (in terms of services and infrastructures) also in consideration of the key role the Mediterranean area has in the international sea traffic.

EURO-MEDITERRANEAN INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS MEETING IN TUNIS

In December-January, the representatives of the Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Associations will meet in Tunis to promote entrepreneurial activities through specific initiatives.
Cooperation between some industrial associations is closer and closer and strictly depends on the development of the entrepreneurial organizations in the different countries.

SEMIDE FOR WATER RESOURCES

Set up one year ago, Semide is already considered a significant cooperation instrument to transfer know how and specific experiences in the water resource sector.
The Semide Project is carried on by a technical staff formed by Spanish (Centro de Estudio y Experimentacion de Obras Publicas), Italian (Sogesid) and French (Bureau International de l'Eau) institutes.

The Italian and French institutes have created the European Economic Interest Group (EEIG) called GEIE UT-SEMIDE, whose scope is to find researchers and funds for the Technical Team.
In the future, Semide wants to create a Mediterranean Network for Water.

Further information:GEIE UT-SEMIDE, Department of International Cooperation- International Office for Water, BP75-06902, Sophia -Antopolis, FRANCE .

THE TELEMATIC EXCHANGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

In a short while, it will be possible to purchase or to sell agricultural products through a telematic exchange.
The project, Meteora, has been started by Unioncamere and the Chamber of Commerce in Brescia to negotiate agricultural products.
Payments and deliveries will take place in the traditional way.

In the first stage, the Exchange will operate only in the provinces of Brescia, Milan, Cremona, Mantua and Modena; then it will be extended throughout Italy.
The project does not take into consideration short term speculative transactions.
Thanks to this initiative, it will be possible to coordinate the activities of producers, processors, category associations and other operators.

Further information: Meteora, Camera di Commercio di Brescia, ph.++ 39 030 37251, fax 39 030 3725322.

THE EUROMEDITERRANEAN NETWORK OF BODIES PROMOTING FOREIGN TRADE

Within the framework of the MEDA Program, the European Committee has approved a program in favor of the Euromediterranean network of the Bodies promoting Foreign Trade.
The project, which will be followed by ICE, has been granted 1.8 million ecus and numbers the participation of 10 European countries.

The scope of the project is to set up, in the next two years, a network among the bodies located in the Mediterranean area to exchange databanks and information related to trade activities and industrial partnership in the Mediterranean area.

ASSAFRICA - INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION DESKS

ASSAFRICA, the association of entrepreneurs whose scope is to promote relations with African countries, signed an agreement with the Bilateral Chambers of Commerce in the Mediterranean areas, and namely with the Tunisian-Italian Chamber, the Moroccan-Italian Chamber, the Egyptian-Italian Chamber, the Israeli-Italian Chamber and the Turkish-Italian Chamber.
The agreement paves the way to a closer cooperation with the industrial associations and will offer better prospects to local and Italian entrepreneurs. Within the framework of this initiative, some "desks" of industrial associations will be set up at the Chambers.

ITALY - FREEZERS AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROCESSING EQUIPMENT

Industrial freezers and freezer equipment are doing extremely well. Industries working in this sector which are mainly located in the province of Parma, have registered a significant increase of orders mainly in 1997.
The American Government which has reduced the quota of pasta imports, has in fact pushed some enterprises to move their production plants in this country.
In 1997, the production of industrial freezers increased by 2.8%, and in 1998 investments (+6.7%) and the employment rate (+1.1%) are expected to increase.
Eastern European countries are the main buyers of commercial freezers whose exports will continue to increase in the following months. Germany, France, Spain and UK are the main importers of freezer equipment (+6.1%).
On the contrary, machines to process fruit and vegetables are not doing very well. Production and exports have dropped. This situation of this sector, however, should improve in 1998 thanks to new investments.

Further information: ANIMA, ph.++ 39 02 73971.

RESEARCH - ENVIRONMENT

SAFEGUARDING THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND THE BLACK SEA

The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea are running many risks because of bad management of their waters and the overcrowding of their coast areas.
In order to improve the situation, the Association of the Italian Engineers has declared 1998 as the Year of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

Thanks to the project worked out by the Association, there should be a more closer cooperation among the countries located in these areas.
During the conference held by the Association last June, engineers pointed out that environment decline is also caused by a number of economic and social problems which affect the stability of the areas.

VENTOTENE- AN EUROPEAN POLE FOR SEA RESEARCHES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

The isle of Ventotene (Pontine Islands) which has set up a protected sea area should soon host a European Center for sea researches. The project promoted by the Lazio Region includes the implementation of a research pole of the Southern Mediterranean sea system in order to protect it and to better use its resources.
A similar project has already been started in the Adriatic and Ligurian areas.
The Center will carry on studies on chemistry, ecology and microbiology and will have an oceanographic boat where motoring activities will take place. The project is part of a EU program.

Further information: Giunta Regionale della Regione Lazio, ph.++ 39 06 51685156, fax 39 06 51685155.

SANTO STEFANO: AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER ON HUMAN RIGHTS

The little isle of Santo Stefano (Pontine Islands), famous in the past for its jail, should host an International Center of Studies on human rights, tolerance and pacific cohabitation of the peoples living in the Mediterranean. The Center, promoted by the Lazio Region, will be equipped with an area for exhibitions and meetings, a documentation department, multimedia archives.

Further information: Giunta regionale della Regione Lazio, ph.++39 06 51685156, fax 39 06 51685155.

CULTURE<7B>

THE UNESCO MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAM

Unesco has worked out the Mediterranean Program to promote peace, progress and cooperation between private and public organizations in the Mediterranean area.
And during the recent meeting in Agrigento ( September 17-20), the committee of the Mediterranean Project has decided to create a Mediterranean Council for Culture, a group of artists against violence in the Mediterranean area, a Mediterranean Institute for Culture, Tourism and Employment in Agrigento and a work team in view of the Declaration of the Mediterranean as a sea peaceful area.

The Council will be formed by 110 representatives (5 for each country) and will have a Task Force formed by scientists, artists and intellectuals to fight violence in the Mediterranean area through press releases and missions. Gillo Pontecorvo, Liliana Cavani, Vincenzo Fazio and Consono have already joined the Council.

MARE NOSTRUM - INITIATIVES FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Mare Nostrum has worked out a number of initiatives to safeguard and enhance the Mediterranean Sea such as the EXPOMED/EUR, the Mediterranean Museum, an Aquarium in Rome, the Mare Nostrum Technopark and a network connecting the main national and international centers carrying on sea researches.
The EXPOMED-EUR project whose scope is to promote cultural, economic and social activities will be followed by a Technical-Scientific Committee.
And the Museum of the Mediterranean should be one of the main initiatives of the EXPOMED-SUR. The Museum should represent sea in all its aspects, with specific attention to the technical evolution and its prospects.

The Aquarium in Rome which will be located in Eur, under the lake, will host the Mediterranean flora and fauna and will spread the results of the sea researches.

The Mare Nostrum Technopark will be a research and amusement park which will belikely set up in cooperation with the Fondazione Marittima Ammiraglio Michelagnoli which has already implemented the Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico at the Isola di San Paolo (Taranto).

VENTOTENE E SANTO STEFANO: SPECIAL INTERVENTIONS IN FAVOR OF ENVIRONMENT

The isles of Ventotene and Santo Stefano have been selected by the European Community and by some Italian institutions for a number of interventions in favor of environment.
The scope of the initiative, part of the Life Project, is to enhance and safeguard some areas which are extremely important from an environmental point of view. As a consequence, some natural habitats with animals and plants will be carefully preserved or restored.

The two isles have been selected as the public administration is already involved in environmental activities and will directly contribute to the setting up of these reserves.
The project will also include a service of environment volunteers.

Those who are interested can contact: Associazione Mediterranea, Life Project, Ventotene, ph.++ 39 07771 85185, fax ++39 0771 85300.

ITALIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MISSIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

LIBYA: THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA OF CIRENE

The Archaeological mission in Cirene, first led by Sandro Stucchi and later by Nicola Bonacasa from the University of Palermo, started operating in 1957. Activities concern three areas: the Agora, the Zeus sanctuary, the Apollo Sanctuary.
The Zeus Sanctuary is located on a hill and dates back to 550-480 BC. At present the mission is restoring the North section. North-East and South sections should be soon definitevely arranged. A platform should be built where some relics could be placed.

Works at the Agorà started in 1957 and many buildings have already been restored.

PALESTINE- A PILOT PROJECT ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AT TELL-ES SULTAN/JERICO

The mission in Jerico operates within the framework of a cooperation program between the University of Rome, "La Sapienza", and the Palestinian Department of Antiquity. Jerico is a pilot project including a number of interventions on pre-classical and classical sites which had been dropped in 1967.
Tell ed-Sultan/ Jerico is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Middle East. Works will mainly concern the wall system.

TUNISIA - RESEARCHES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SASSARI IN UCHI MAIUS

The archaeological researches in the Roman city of Uchi Maius fall within the convention signed in 1994 between the Institute National du Patrimoine de Tunis and the University of Sassari.
The project, which includes the publication of the rich epigraphic heritage of the city and excavations in the city settlement, envisages also training courses for Tunisian students.

The Roman city of Uchi Maius has not been fully explored and its history is still obscure. Researches should then shed light on this city and its evolution through the centuries. A databank should eventually be set up.

SYRIA - BOSRA

The Italian-Syrian mission in Bosra is carrying on studies on some sections of the Church of Saint Sergio, Bacco and Lecco. Bosra is located in the South, near the plateau of Nuqra; it was the capital of the Arab province established by Traiano in 106.
Excavations have brought to light a section of this building referring to different historical periods, documented by various paintings.

Other excavations concerned the external area of the church. Recent researches have proved that Roman structures in this big area are different from those of the church.

SYRIA - TELI AFIS AND THE JAZR PLAIN

The archaeological mission in Teli Afis, led at present by Professor Stefania Mazzoni from the University of Pisa and professor Serena Maria Cecchini of the University of Bologna, started operating in 1970. Teli Afis, which can be identified with the Assyrian Khatarikka and the Biblical Hadrak, is not far away from Idlib, in the North (60 km from Aleppo), and includes an Acropolis and a big city, partly occupied by a modern settlement.

MALTA: TAS-SILG AND RAS IL-WARDIJA

The mission of the "La Sapienza" University in Rome has been carrying on since 1963 in cooperation with the University of Sacro Cuore in Milan, a specific research program to shed light on the history of Malta.
Researches are concentrated on the Phoenician and Punic civilizations in Malta and their evolution after the Roman arrival.

Excavations have been carried out in Tas-Silg and S.Tawl Muqi in Malta and in Ras il -Wardija in Gozo. The three sites are extremely different and they shed light on the history of Malta and its development within the framework of the Mediterranean world.
At present, the most significant findings relate to the Phoenician settlements.