Environmental Associations from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia Meet

EKO Kvarner

The representatives of environmental associations of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, met yesterday (Sunday, January 15), in Njivice, on the island of Krk. The meeting discussed the topic of energy projects planned for this part of Europe.

Several important conclusions were adopted at the meeting, presented by Vjeran Pirsic from Eko Kvarner, Corrado Altran from Lega Ambiente and Karel Lipic from Zveza Ekoloskih Gibanj Slovenia (Union of Environmental Movements).

First, the meeting accepted as valid the Government information on the reasons for postponement of the Sabor vote on termination of the �Druzba Adria� agreement. According to the Government, the vote was postponed because of the lawsuit filed by JANAF (Adriatic Pipeline company) to the RH Administrative Court. The organizations expressed their �disgust over the arrogance of JANAF leadership, who continue to burden the citizens with their attempts to implement the project, in spite of the fact that 73% of the population is opposed to it and the Ministry renounced the shameful Environmental Study.

The meeting expressed its concern over the manner in which repeated attempts to realize energy projects are being implemented, primarily the new project for oil pipeline from Constance, Romania to Trieste, Italy. Although the associations accept that, in theory, the implementation of the project would improve the environmental situation, having in mind that it would greatly reduce the oil-tanker traffic to the Port of Trieste, they find it unacceptable that such a project is negotiated without the elementary information provided to the citizens, associations and local communities. The participants demands from their respective governments to provide information on the allegations that the Memorandum of Cooperation on the pipeline shall be signed in Rome, January 19.

There is also increased pressure to build the Liquid Natural Gas Terminal (LNG) in the northern Adriatic, with Trieste, Molfalcone and Omisalj proposed as building sites. In spite of the fact that it was determined that existing LNG tankers satisfy the high security standards, concernes were expressed over past deadly incidents at LNG terminals. The analysis used the materials prepared for the U.S. Congress inquiry on this matter. These documents conclude that LNG terminals should not be built less than five miles from the nearest settlement. With that in mind, the proposed Omisalj site is especially dangerous, having in mind that it is located in the immediate vicinity of petrochemical industry and oil terminals.

The Italian and Slovenian associations backed the initiative to demand from the Croatian Government to include CSO representatives (as observers) to the Croatian negotiation team for EU accession, the opportunity already provided to the trade unions representatives.

Finally, having in mind the cross-border impact of the listed energy projects, the participants agreed that it would be necessary to organize a conference of the civil society organizations from the three countries in February, to adopt joint positions on these issues and express their openness to work with other interested parties, for instance, political parties.

In addition, the participants agreed to submit the conclusions to the governments of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia and to demand from the civil-society inclined politicians in national parliaments to react towards the achievement of their goals.