Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the EU-Mediterranean summit meeting today that the problems of climate change go beyond environmental issues and impact social, political and economic wellbeing, and it is therefore never so important for the countries of the region to unite under a common solution.

Dr Gonzi recalled how, 20 years ago, Malta launched the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and has remained committed to participating in efforts to counter this growing problem.

The issue was such that by the end of this century, rainfall would drop 20 per cent, and regional problems caused by a shortage of water would grow worse. Among the consequences would be those on tourism and on human migration northward across the Mediterranean.

The Prime Minister said the Mediterranean could be a testing ground for new technology for cleaner power such as greater use of solar energy and the development of viable deep sea windfarms.

Dr Gonzi said the countries of the region should share their experiences so that they could together intensify the quest for cleaner, sustainable energy and also make the best use of water resources. A Euro-Mediterranean University could be particularly useful to facilitate such collaboration in scientific research.