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EU Parliament chief says 63 mln people could be affected by water shortages in MidEast

 BRUSSELS, March 21 (KUNA) -- The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, stated today that on coming Saturday and Sunday, he will be in Rabat, Morocco, for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and looks forward to discussing among other issues the situation of water governance in the Mediterranean basin.
"Sixty per cent of the world population with little water is concentrated in the southern part of the Mediterranean region and in the Middle East. By the year 2025, 63 million people could be affected by water shortages in this area," he warned in a statement issued to mark World Water Day which falls on 22 March.
Schulz noted that almost half of the developing world population lacks sanitation facilities; over 800 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources.
"With the growing world population and increasing urbanisation, the world's consumption and demand for water is constantly growing and we are failing to manage this vital good fairly and efficiently," he added. (end) nk.sd KUNA 211534 Mar 12NNNN