An Egyptian cultural adviser to Austria, Morsy Abu Youssef, said a joint scientific agreement will be struck between the two countries following an Austrian University's call for reforms after an industrial accident in Lake Mariout near Alexandria.
Youssef told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the agreement comes after the Austrian Graz University called for reform after an industrial waste-water project destroyed the lake. The pollution affected the fish population, impacting 10,000 families who rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Youssef also said that several companies paid the fines imposed on them by the environment ministry without dealing with the pollution.
An Egyptian committee that includes the Alexandria governor’s advisor for environmental affairs and the chairman of Abu Qir fertilizer company will visit Austria by late April, Youssef said, saying that the company has been paying attention to water treatment and holds an annual conference on treatment methods.
The committee will also include the head of the research and applied science department at Borg al-Arab, the deputy president of Alexandria University and the deputy higher education minister.
According to Youssef, the committee will also tackle an international cooperation agreement and organize an exchange of experts between the two countries.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
