Two -ministerial meeting to address its problem water scarcity and adoption National plan Water management was held today under the presidency of the Vice President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakis.
The meeting presented the details from the latest (2024) study of World Resources Institute according to which:
– Greece ranks 19th in the world in terms of the risk of water scarcity.
– Similar challenges are addressed by all Mediterranean countries as the problem is intensified by climate change which negatively affects both supply and water demand.
It has also been demonstrated that despite interventions in recent years (construction of new dams, drilling, etc.), the problem insists on both Greece, as in all Mediterranean countries.
At the meeting, based on the presentation of additional data by EYDAP, PPC and RAAE, the need for holistic water resources management, short, in the medium term and in the long run, has emerged. There was also the need to implement interventions at the organizational level to ensure the timely carrying out the large and small projects needed to tackle the problem, based on optimal European practices. All participants emphasized that the interventions would move in the context of the provisions of the Constitution and the decisions of the Council of State that guarantee water as a public good. More meetings will be followed for further maturation and final formulation of the National Plan for Waters. Kyriakou Mitsotakis.
The Vice -President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakis said: “Climate change is here and in relation to water adequacy. The whole Mediterranean is increasingly threatened by this problem. Any inactivity would be a huge problem for the economy, tourism, agriculture, quality of life, for the country itself. It is clear that next to the initiatives adopted in recent years, others must be adopted that respond to the problem in time, addressing any organizational problems, promoting the necessary investment and utilizing new technologies. The water was and will remain a public good. The state itself had, has and will have and will have our constitution as the main mission to safeguard this public good. But for this to happen, the reality itself requires additional studied, rapid and efficient interventions, which the government is determined to proceed. The next few months will be very critical in adopting all the necessary initiatives. “
The meeting was attended by interior ministers Theodore LebaneseInfrastructure and transport (remotely) Christos Dimas, Environmental and energy Stavros PapastavrouRural Development and Food Costas Tsiaras, Shipping and Island Policy Vassilis KikiliasTerritory Akis Skrtsosthe Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgisthe Secretaries -General of the Natural Environment and Water (RIS) Petros Varelides, Waste Management Coordination Manolis Grafakos (RIS), EU resources and infrastructure of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food Dimitris Papagiannidis, Aegean and Island Policy Manolis Koutoulakis and Prime Minister’s adviser on investment issues Dimitris Politis.
The Vice President of Water Branch also participated by RAAE Dimitris Psychogios, From PPC the President and CEO and CEO George Stassis and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexis Paizisby EYDAP President CIorgos Stergiou and the CEO Harris Sachinis.
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