Athens mayor proposes EU-wide 'eco-initiative'

[Ellinas]

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis this week unveiled a proposal for the adoption of an institution entitled "European Eco-friendly Capital", as he outlined the proposal in letters addressed to European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and the mayors of the Union's 27 capitals.

Based on the European Cultural Capital model, the institution would act as an additional motive for the clarification of environmental terms and further development of environmental awareness among the citizens of Europe, according to Kaklamanis, a former health minister.

He also said the European Eco-friendly Capital institution would act as an incentive for greater environmental awareness.

"... This proposal will assist in the fight against complacency, ensure that the environment is a key priority in our policy choices and the minds of citizens, improve intra-city mobility, better manage waste, provide more alternative energy sources and increase green spaces," the mayor of the Greek capital underlined.

ANA