European Union should tackle Mediterranean drought

JAIME Palop, the central director general for water, said yesterday that European Union (EU) intervention was necessary to solve the drought problems which were “inherent” in the Mediterraenan. He added that Spain's regional governments should combine efforts and leave their disagreements to one side in order to fight the shortage of water.
He was speaking at a meeting of top ranking water officials from EU Mediterranean countries which is being held in Palma, to “find solutions for a common problem which requires joint action.” Palop added that he was working on a paper which will be presented shortly at another meeting to be held in London. “The drought problem is common to the Mediterranean and should be tackled by the EU,” Palop said.
At the meeting, France, Italy and Cyprus have explained the problems which are being caused by lack of rain.
Palop said that the EU should back Spain's strategy, “ a drought can only be combatted if it is predicted. It must be anticipated and managed.” The special plans for managing the drought in Spain will be ready within a year, he added. When completed, they will give automatic answers to the shortage of rain, he said.