The measures announced yesterday by Giorgos Souflias aimed at cleaning up the Asopos River and Lake Koroneia and punishing polluters are all in the right direction. It was one of the few occasions that the Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works justified its environmental component.

But the country has many more environmental wounds to heal. And this cannot be done as long as Souflias is dealing with the otherwise crucial public works sector. The design and monitoring of major development projects is a very time-consuming process and is rightfully high on the government’s agenda. However, in a country without heavy industry and large-scale private investment, the environment must first of all be protected against damage inflicted by public works. After all, most of the EU environmental warnings relate to state action. The country needs an ombudsman for the environment and that task can only be undertaken by an independent ministry.