On the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday, the Transport and Communications Ministry held an event at Syntagma Square in down town Athens entitled "Gain oxygen. Use Public Transport".

The event was opened by Transport and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis who in his address said "urban transport consumes four times less energy, per passenger, compared to a private car, a fact which means less fuel and pollution."

The minister underlined that citizens must become aware of the importance of protecting the environment and recommended the use of public transport, noting that a "great effort is being made to upgrade it."

During the event, Liapis toured the site of an exhibition at Syntagma Metro. He also inaugurated the first Greek four-seat hydrogen car and was briefed by the relevant research groups on these pioneering programs which are being implemented in the country. He further announced that "the first hydrogen bus will soon be built in our country."

On his part, former deputy development minister George Salagoudis in a statement expressed the need for paving "a realistic world policy for sustainable growth."

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, accompanied by Greece's Commissioner in the European Union, Stavros Dimas, visited the National Park of Parnitha and the 3rd Primary School in Elefsina, to honor World Environment Day.

The president was given a tour of the National Park which hosts 700 species of animals and birds. 

Source: Athens News Agency

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