Mr. Famellos: Transition to a management model in accordance to European legislation.

Based on a relevant memorandum of cooperation, co-signed by the Greek, the Cypriot and the Egyptian Minsters of Environment, in Cairo, last May, the first step of the agreement was made, as implementation of the commitment of the Greek side about recycling

According to the Athens News Agency, as it was announced by the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy, Greece, aiming at the mobilization of all the parts involved (services, sectors and organizations), invited specialists from the other two countries in a two-day technical meeting in Athens about the integrated waste management such as: lubricating oils, tires, packages and electrical devices. The meeting includes, visits at innovating facilities, mainly around recycling and re-use.

Mr. S. Fammelos, the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, welcoming the delegations of Egypt and Cyprus in our country, pointed the meaning of our cooperation in the field of the environment, as a priority for the formation of the strategic alliance among the three countries, especially in the Mediterranean Sea space, which they share.

Mr. Famellos stated: The cooperation of our countries, enterprises, public organizations and scientists, gives us the opportunity to make the best of the positive side of globalization and to approach the society of knowledge, progress and recycling. The field of the environment is offered for the development of business activities and investments that can create new jobs and social prosperity. Our common perspective is the society of recycling, with zero wastes. He then added: In Greece there is a constant effort to cover omissions and failures, of the past years, in the field of waste management. Our goal is a transition to a management model which will be in accordance to the European legislation and the circular economy.

According to the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy: the switch to the circular economy model, is part of the general development plan of the Government, as it can help economy by creating new jobs and new abilities and boosting small and medium businesses and social economy which is still under development in Greece. This object can also become field of common action among the three countries, especially in critical sectors such as the secondary material and fuel, soil conditioners and fertilizers and building material and aggregates for the construction of civil engineering works.

Mr. Famellos also referred to lubricating oils, on which, Greece pioneers in Pan-European level as it excels in their regeneration (instead of combustion), as well as in the new bio-wastes and water recycling and re-use challenges.

Finally, he invited the delegations to continue the agreed actions with the next step, which is the business meeting in Cyprus. The meeting is to be continued today with visits in recycling facilities in Athens.