Esther De Lange – Chairwoman of the MEP Water Group
Ms Esther de Lange is Vice-Chair of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, responsible for relations with national parliaments. Being a full member of the committee for economic and monetary affairs (ECON), substitute member of the committee for industry, telecom, research and energy (ITRE) for the 2014-2019 term, and member of the environment and agricultural committees in the previous term, water plays an important role in her daily work:
“Safeguarding water quality and quantity is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Over the last decades, efforts have been made in Europe to focus on the challenges related to water and develop new strategies and legislation. With the Water Framework Directive and related policies, the EU has one of the most ambitious water legislations in the world, which provides a clear driver for building a sustainable and innovative water sector. Nonetheless, the EU faces challenges in the sector and should focus on stimulating technological innovations, increasing intelligent management and improving efficiency in the water sector. The MEP Water Group is of major importance, as a tool to place water higher on the European political agenda. I look forward to working together with you in the upcoming years in the activities of the MEP Water Group.”