Members of Mount Athos’ Holy Administration, the Holy Epistasia, which represents the 20 Orthodox monasteries in the semi-autonomous monastic community, met on Thursday with Greece’s environment and energy minister, Kostis Hatzidakis. Among others, the issue of including the verdant peninsula of Mount Athos in the European Union’s Natura network of environmental protection was discussed.
Additionally, other issues discussed where the construction and operation of biological treatment plants, anti-wildfire protection for Mt. Athos’ forestland as well as the installation of photo-voltaic units to supply monasteries with “green” energy.
Mt. Athos civil governor Athanasios Martinos also attended the meeting.
