Investments in water, soil, nature restoration and biodiversity are crucial components of European security, European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall has said.
She was speaking on 5 February, at a joint meeting of the House Committees on Environment and Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Cyprus Parliament.
The meeting was co-chaired by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Charalambos Theopemptou, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Yiannakis Gavriel.
According to a press release by the Parliament, Roswall referred to the policies of the European Union that fall under her portfolio, noting that the current geopolitical situation necessitates the effective implementation of the European Green Deal with an emphasis on simplifying the regulatory framework, without undermining environmental objectives.
She noted that water is a strategic and vital resource, underlining that its adequacy and quality can no longer be taken for granted. Moreover she stressed the importance of the full implementation of European water legislation.
Water is a security issue and a priority for both the European Commission and the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, she added.
Referring to forest fires, Roswall welcomed the announcement of the creation of a regional firefighting hub in Cyprus, underlining the importance of prevention and preparedness.
Concluding, the European Commissioner stressed that investments in water, soil, nature restoration and biodiversity are crucial components of European security and must be addressed holistically in the future financial planning of the Union.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Yiannakis Gavriel, pointed out that the water problem is a common challenge for all Mediterranean countries, referring to the Joint Declaration recently adopted in Nicosia in the context of the Conference of Chairmen of the Agriculture Committees of the Parliaments of the Mediterranean States.
On his part, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Charalambos Theopemptou, underlined the importance of disseminating best practices and the guidance provided by the European Commission to the Member States of the Union on environmental issues, as well as the need to more clearly identify and strengthen bioeconomy projects in Cyprus.
(Source: CNA)
