Socotra as world heritage site in 2008 [Archives:2007/1057/Local News]

SANA'A, June 5 ) Minister of Oil and Environment Abdurrahman Al-Eryani stated that a delegation from UNISCO will visit Yemen by the end of the current year in preparation for declaring Socotra a world heritage site, hinting that such an announcement will lay a great responsibility on Yemen to keep up its heritage.

Italian Ambassador to Yemen Mario Boffo indicated that European countries have assigned US $5 million, , of which US $3 million granted by the Republic of Italy, in aid to safeguard Socotra environment, indicating that the Italian interest in Socotra comes within the context of the international interest in this island.

Boffo added that Socotra is an important heritage site which made Italy and Italian people become more interested in it, maintaining that Yemen and Italy enjoy distinct relations, dating 80 years back.

United Nations resident coordinator Ms. Flavia Panseiri pointed out that Socotra is a world heritage site that should be safeguarded, adding that it is not a possession of Yemen but of the whole world.
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