Brussels, 22/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On 22 March, marking the 17th edition of the World Water Day and the second European Water Day, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton recalls that “884 million people lack access to improved drinking water sources and over 2.5 billion do not have access to basic sanitation” although access to water is essential for living a healthy and dignified life. She said the UN has recently recognised the “human right to water”.
€40 million for ACPs. The European Commission has announced that €40 million will be made available for ACP countries under an innovative funding mechanism as part of the ACP-EU Facility for water.
Water scarcity is becoming generalised in Europe. The Commission has also published a report on the way member states are combating water scarcity, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly widespread in the EU: the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Malta are constantly faced with the problem, while Spain, France, Hungary, Portugal and the United Kingdom have signalled drought and pluviometric levels below the long term average. France, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden have had to face water shortages from time to time. A priority of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, water will be on the agenda of the informal Environment Council (24-26 March). (A.N./transl.jl)