The European Commission held the Mediterranean Biogeographical Seminar for Cyprus and Malta earlier this month.

The proposals of the two member States were evaluated and assessed by the Commission supported by the European Environment Agency’s Thematic Centre for Biological Diversity. The Commission welcomed the efforts of the services of both countries to prepare coherent lists based on scientific data and to take major steps forward in establishing Natura 2000, the EU’s network of sites protecting threatened and vulnerable species and habitats in their States.

The proposed list for Malta contains 27 sites, covering 48.5 sq.km or about 13 per cent of the land area of the Maltese Islands, while Cyprus proposed for designation 36 Sites of Community Interest amounting so far to an area of 711 sq.km or around 12 per cent of its territory. It has to be noted that Cyprus has proposed sites for the area of Cyprus that the Cypriot government controls and for which the Community acquis applies at present, according to protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of Cyprus. Furthermore, both countries have classified significant areas as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the obligations deriving from the Birds Directive.

The assessment of these proposals concluded with the indication that all proposed sites will enter the Natura 2000 network, while both countries have to account in the future for certain well identified insufficiencies, requesting the inclusion of additional sites in their proposals.

The Commission welcomed the commitment of Malta to actively consider the site of Ta’ Cenc currently designated as an SPA, to be proposed as a Site of Community Interest and the confirmation of Cyprus that the Akamas Peninsula site is due to be transmitted to Commission early next year.

Cyprus also indicated its willingness to re-examine some additional sites in order to account sufficiently for Cypriot endemic species like the Cyprus mouflon (Ovis orientalis ophion), the Cypriot grass snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca) and habitats like the endemic forests with Juniper species and the Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) forests. Both countries also committed themselves to identify, propose and designate marine sites needed for the protection of marine species like the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

Commission services appreciate that: “Both countries have brought forward significant proposals for sites proposed for designation as Sites of Community Importance that will enrich the Natura 2000 network in the Mediterranean. Cyprus and Malta have re-confirmed their commitment to make further progress with the proposal of the Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus and Ta’ Cenc in Malta. A joint EU effort is necessary to ensure biodiversity and the conservation of natural fauna and flora in the Mediterranean region of Europe “.

The Natura 2000 network

The Natura 2000 network is the Europe-wide ecological network of protected sites under the EU’s Birds and Habitats Directives to safeguard Europe’s most important wildlife areas and species. As part of Natura 2000, the selected nature sites benefit from increased protection: Member States must take all the necessary measures to guarantee their conservation and avoid their deterioration. Not all economic activity in the sites is excluded, but member States must ensure that such activities are carried out in a way that is compatible with the conservation of the habitats and species living there.

The Mediterranean region

The Mediterranean list, recently adopted in July 2006, today covers sites in Greece, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and, in accordance with Article 299(4) of the Treaty, the United Kingdom (i.e. Gibraltar). The list of protected areas includes a large number of endangered animals and plant species and habitats such as for example the Iberian lynx, the loggerhead sea turtle or the Mediterranean monk seal. The protection of these species and habitats is scientifically considered to be of European importance. A joint EU effort is therefore necessary to protect biodiversity and the conservation of natural fauna and flora in this region of Europe. The Cypriot and Maltese proposals will enhance this list significantly with the inclusion of important nature sites, which will account for unique species that are endemic in these countries.

Next steps

Following the assessment of the proposals submitted by Cyprus and Malta, the Commission will ensure that designation is sufficient and proceed with an update of the Mediterranean list to facilitate the adoption of the proposed sites by the Commission before the end of 2007. At the same time, the Commission will pay increased attention to the proper management of the network.

For more information on the Mediterranean list and further progress with its establishment and management (background material, maps, Natura Barometer) see: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/home.htm