ΑΤΗΕΝS — "The commitments made by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on biodiversity at the IUCN Conference in Marseilles mark a new opportunity for the conservation of the country's biodiversity, with an emphasis on the protection of marine ecosystems," the National 'Nature 2000' Committee said in a statement.

According to the Committee, their aim was for the country to not only cover major gaps of the past or align itself with international agreements and European strategies but also to take the lead in these areas, prioritising nature protection and management in the midst of a crisis for both climate and biodiversity, striving for sustainable development.

The Nature 2000 Committee welcomes the Prime Minister's commitments and declares itself, as always, ready to assist in the implementation of these commitments so that Greece acquires and implements a coherent national policy on nature worthy of its rich natural heritage, the announcement added.

Moreover, "now all the scientific data show an urgent need for systematic and cross-sectoral action, with the cooperation of all stakeholders," it noted.

The 'Nature 2000' Committee is the state's central scientific advisory body for coordinating, monitoring and assessing policy for the protection of biodiversity in Greece. Its main remit is to monitor the adherence and implementation of the EU directives on habitats in all areas included in the Natura 2000 network, as well as the rest of Greece's national territory outside Natura areas.