European MEP proposes Pan-European initiative to protect lakes

European Parliament Vice-President and PASOK MEP Giannis Maniatis has called on the European Commission to launch a Pan-European Initiative for Lakes. In a letter to Commissioner Jessika Roswall, Maniatis aims to secure funding for the protection and restoration of freshwater resources.

The proposal highlights the Lake Cities Network, which includes 55 municipalities from Greece and Cyprus, alongside collaborators in Albania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Maniatis advocates for integrated management plans that link water resources with energy, climate adaptation, and research.

He emphasizes that lakes are strategic freshwater infrastructures essential for supporting agriculture, local economies, and combating drought. The initiative seeks to empower regional and local authorities through multi-level governance and requests that funding be accompanied by technical and administrative support, particularly for smaller and mountainous municipalities.