The protection of the environment has always been high on the priorities of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, as well as the House of Representatives, House President Annita Demetriou said, on the occasion of March 21 observed as “Mediterranean Day” as decided at Assembly’s 3rd Plenary Session, held in Morocco in 2008. Demetriou said that this year’s “Mediterranean Day” is dedicated to the fight against organized crime against the environment, an issue of particular concern to the Assembly and the countries of the region, due to the serious damage it causes to the environment, human health and the economies of Mediterranean countries. She noted that the Parliament supports and actively participates in the regional consultations promoted by the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, aiming at harmonizing, revising and strengthening the current legislative framework for environmental crime. The Parliament, Demetriou added, also supports cooperation between state authorities to detect and successfully prosecute serious environmental crimes, as well as any form of organized crime. The President of the Parliament also referred to March 22, which was established by the UN Conference on Environment and Development as “The World Water Day”. She said that because of the reckless use and pollution of water, but also the unprecedented effects of climate change, underground water is running out. Demetriou said that the Cyprus Parliament supports efforts to protect and rationalize water resources, raise awareness of the importance of water, and balance the needs of water supply and sanitation, agriculture or industry with sustainable ecosystem management.
Source: Cyprus News Agency