Greek beaches remain cleanest in Europe

Close to 99.0 percent of Greece’s beaches are suitable for swimming, placing the country first within Europe, if not the world, according to Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis. Mr. Laliotis last month revealed the results of the ministry’s annual water quality measuring scheme. Of the 1,737 beaches in 609 municipalities and communities tested, a mere 17 were found to have waters unfit for bathing. The entire program this year cost the ministry 170 million drachmas, but the positive press coverage more than covers this cost. Mr. Laliotis added that he expected Greece would receive far more blue flag<.>s – a European Union symbol for recommended bathing areas – this year compared with the 311 it received last year. …