3rd International Forum of the EYP Albania, Tirana 2013 Topic Overview Booklet
maintaining the water infrastructure was cut heavily. The EU is currently focused on market-based competition. Nevertheless, behind the facade, there lies all which is hidden away - conspiracy, benefits and power in the long-run. Water is a limited natural resource and a public good fundamental for life and health. It is a ‘natural’ monopoly and must be kept out of games of power. Water systems in Europe have evolved over the centuries with the public and private sectors taking the lead to a greater or lesser extent at various times in different countries. Consequently it is no surprise to find heterogeneity in ownership models across the continent, and even within the Member States. Although the EU is ostensibly neutral on the question of water ownership, there has been a recent debate on whether the European Commission is promoting privatization through the back door. It could be done through particular framing of the bailout programs for financially distressed Member States and through proposals for a new Concessions Directive governing certain types of public-private partnerships. In the case of bailout agreements, the European Commission has been accused by campaigners (including labor unions and environmentalists) of insisting on privatization programs that include the sell-off of municipal water companies. In Greece, the bailout agreement requires the sell-off of the majority of the State’s stakes in the already part-privatized Athens and Thessaloniki water and sewerage companies. Also Portugal is under pressure to dispose of its state-owned water company. Does the European Commission admit to actively promoting water privatization for its own sake in these bailed-out countries? Campaigners point to its history of favoring privatization in development aid agreements and international trade negotiations. Can the European Commission maintain its officially neutral stance on ownership of water services by pointing out that the privatization measures are carried out by the insolvent national governments themselves? After all, in the end, who is going to deal with water security (e.g. scarcity of resources, hydro conflicts, terrorism and socio-economic issues)?
Further Information: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWAT/Resources/TownsWSS_Companion.pdf http://combatlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/combatlaw_volume3_2004/June-July-2004.pdf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbCD8HA11sg#t=50
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