French Minister Visits Iran’s Lake Urmia

French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Ségolène Royal, as part of her 3-day visit to Iran, had an aerial visit of Iran’s largest saltwater lake, Lake Urmia, which has lost 90% of its surface water in the past two decades as a result of climate changes, among other reasons.

 

The French Minister, accompanied by Vice-President and the head of Iran’s Department of Environment Masoumeh Ebtekar, visited the shrinking lake on Monday, August 29, IRNA reported.

The two sides had earlier agreed to carry out joint projects toward the enhancement of environmental issues in both countries.

Ebtekar said on Sunday that she had reached an agreement with Royal on a number of joint projects addressing energy, water shortages and pollution.

In a Sunday meeting between the two officials, they agreed to establish several key partnerships on environmental issues by February 2017.

Referring to Royal’s visit to Iran, Ebtekar said it “sends a strong message to the global community that countries can have serious cooperation based on their shared interests in the field of the environment.”

Having arrived in Tehran on Saturday, the French Minister said, “Several highly operational subjects were discussed” during her meeting with Ebtekar.”

“They were chosen by Iran on the basis of the challenges they face,” Press TV quoted her as saying.

“Since we face the same type of challenges in France, this is a terrific opportunity for cooperation,” Royal said.

The French minister is accompanied by senior business figures from environmental and renewable energy firms specializing in water, pollution and energy efficiency, including the head of the Engie firm.

Royal said she would return to discuss progress on the partnerships in February next year.