After the Italian government banned any new oil and gas platforms at a distance of 12 miles of the coastline, islands and protected areas in the sea, Italian citizens will be deciding this Sunday, April 17 on a referendum whether to remove all existing platforms within the specified distance with the expiry of their concessions.
On this occasion, to show support, the representatives of regional coalitions 'One Adriatic / Jedan Jadran', which consists of 11 environmental organizations from all Adriatic countries, have visited local organizations, initiatives and representatives of the public administration in Italy united in a common struggle against the oil platforms. Public administrations in regions like Puglia, Abbruzzi, Marche and Veneto play, in fact, a very important role in the fight against the exploitation of oil in the Adriatic Sea.
"By participating in the public debates, press conferences, meetings with activists and public officials, and handing out leaflets to citizens around the Italian coast, we wanted to convey a message to the citizens in Italy that they are not alone, that there is the same resistance and fight against exploitation of offshore oil in all the Adriatic countries , and provide them with support in this important moment of decision-making on the future of the common sea, "commented Dusica Radojcic, coordinator of the network 'One Adriatic'.
The imposition of harmful projects is repeated in all the countries of the Mediterranean. It is interesting that the Italian Government used the same arguments that the Croatian citizens once heard - "if another country drills, why couldn't we." In addition, the use of disinformation is common, which favors the interests of oil companies such as Italy's ENI, which has repeatedly been shown to be a major player in the Adriatic. Therefore, the representatives of the networks 'One Adriatic' have used this opportunity to refute the information that in Croatia there are oil rigs or that Croatia is planning new oil wells.
"This is a classic modus operandi of the fossil industry which does not care for the local economy, or the environment,or the people. The only important thing is their profit and they often resort to practices of manipulation and corruption in the chaotic pursuit of their own goals, "said Luka Tomac from Friends of the Earth Croatia.
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