[15 April 2008]

SANA'A, April 15 (Saba)- The European countries' ambassadress to Yemen will pay a two-day visit next Thursday to the Socotra archipelago to show support to preserve Socotra's environment and to
express their concern about the infrastructure and economy projects which ignore the unique places in the archipelago.

In a press release issued by the French embassy in Sana'a, the European ambassadors will visit the Socotra archipelago, known as a unique natural environment and cultural and humanitarian value, in
the framework of efforts to finance projects and programs of protecting the archipelago's environment and to promote sustainable development for its people.

"The European Union intends to support any action of the Yemeni government to maintain the archipelago and take a better management of the environment and sustainable development in Socotra", pointed the release.

The EU welcomed the Yemeni government's decision to form an independent Body which has the ability to plan and control economic, social and environmental development of Socotra.

Expressing its serious concern on the issue of road and infrastructure projects in the Socotra archipelago, the EU appealed to Yemen to adopt an overall plan of preserving environment and
natural landscapes and coastal areas of Socotra in addition to cultural precepts of the archipelago's population.

The EU called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to classify the Socotra archipelago as one of the World environmental legacy.

YA/YA

Saba