Zagreb - Environment protection, renewables in construction, sustainable tourism and the development of an eco-cities project were some of the topics on the agenda of a meeting of the Union for Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Energy, Environment, and Water, which convened in the Croatian parliament on Monday.
The issue of energy is topical more than ever as the provision of energy to Europe and other parts of the world goes beyond its economic frameworks and has become a political and geo-political matter, while water protection and energy use are inextricably intertwined, Sabor Speaker Josip Leko said addressing the event. Being one of the most important traits of Croatia's identity, the Mediterranean is a space where we want to make our presence more visible, Leko said, adding that his country wanted to facilitate efforts aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence while respecting different cultural and religious values in the Mediterranean. It is everyone's duty to contribute to the aim of creating a better, more democratic and prosperous Mediterranean so that its coasts may serve as bridges among nations and cultures, the Croatian official said.
New green technologies can and must be a driving force for investments and job creation, Croatia's Deputy Environment Protection Minister Hrvoje Dokoza said at the meeting. Hind Alfayez from Jordan asked Croatian officials how far Croatia had gone in the use of electrical buses and solar energy, and Dokoza informed the meeting that Croatia had conducted a scheme of giving grants for electrical cars procurement and that legislation encouraging clean eco vehicles had been passed.
In response to a question from Antonio d'Alia from Italy about Croatia's position on oil exploration in the Adriatic, Croatia's officials answered that it was within the realm of the Economy Ministry. The chair of the Committee on Energy, Environment, and Water, Stefan Schennach, praised the Croatian environment ministry's programme as being in compliance with the Union for Mediterranean programme. (Hina)