Greek architects vote against the privatization of water companies in Greece

The Greek Architects Union SADAS-PEA passed a voting in 7 July 2012, against the privatization of greek water companies.

The voting is as follows:

We, the delegation of SADAS-PEA, with this decision we declare that we oppose the sale of the country’s water corporations to private entities.

We believe that such a development directly contradicts public interest and we maintain our reservations as to the right of a private corporation (or any other legal entity for that matter) to own the exclusive or partial rights to the exploitation of water resources, water being a natural resource that is absolutely essential to the survival of humans, plants and animals, a resource that is indeed protected by both European legislation (framework directive 2000/60) ⁽¹⁾ and the United Nations, which on 28 July 2010 passed a resolution adding the access to clear water in its declaration of human rights (AG/10967) ⁽²⁾.

As for the Athenian public water company, EYDAP, which was founded (Law 1068/1980) as a 100% state-owned company, we have already observed the gradual change of its legal status with the issuance of company shares during the premiership of K. Simitis (Law 2794/1999) and we directly contest the soundness of the latest relevant development, which was to include EYDAP as well as the profitable EYATH (the public water company of Thessaloniki) ⁽⁴⁾ in the SA-type corporation with the discretionary title “Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund S.A.” founded by Law 3986/2011 ⁽³⁾, in article 1.2 of which is stated that, “The product of the assets utilization is used exclusively to pay off the country’s public debt” ⁽⁵⁾. The public electricity company, DEI, is also directly related to the country’s water resources. Artificial lakes, reservoirs and hydroelectric plants are crucial for residential water supply and irrigation through the relevant municipal companies. The sale of such assets of DEI is equally condemnable. ^{(6) (7)}

At a time when public education and public health are shrinking as if they were unnecessary luxury items that cannot be financed, we hereby sound a note of warning. If the fundamental social contract of reciprocity crumbles to the ground, no citizen shall be obligated to pay any direct or indirect taxes. Even if you ignore us and proceed, we, the Greek citizens, shall fight to nullify your actions, as happened in Paris on 1/1//2010. ⁽⁹⁾

The history of privatizations has amply demonstrated that the water always returns to its source.

Sincerely,

DELEGATION  of SADAS-Panhellenic Architects Union

Meeting of 07.07.2012

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