22/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Water is a fundamental human right. On Thursday 22 March Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative, pointed out on European Water Day that “safe drinking water and sanitation are crucial for a healthy and dignified life”. The EU is working hard to improve access to clean water and sanitation, and EU water and sanitation programmes provide almost €400 million per year, targeting some 35 partner countries, helping to build infrastructure for drinking and waste water systems, providing basic sanitation and hygiene and enhancing water management. She provided assurances that “the EU is strongly committed to promoting concerted international action to address the critical role of water for human and economic development, as well as security”. (AN/transl.fl)