prevent different levels of government and self-government from fulfilling these rights and
objectives."
In our country some economic indicators may show improvement or stability, such as the
growth rates of GDP for 2017, the improvement of the labor market (20.5% in September
2017). However, other indicators as those of imports are on the rise (3rd quarter 2017).
We cite the assessment of the Institute of Labor (GSEE) according to which the macro-
economic and productive transformations that would create the essential conditions for the
transition of the economy to a dynamic and sustainable recovery have not been recorded
yet.” (October 2017).
Naturefriends for Sustainable Development
The stock market and the GDP cannot be a prosperity indicator for a country.
The Greek Network of Naturefriends estimates that our country is at a critical turning point
and that the consumer model or the uncontrolled development cannot be the vision of our
society. Sustainable tourism, systematic and healthy agricultural production and culture are
the "cardinal heritage" of our country that together with education, new technologies,
circular economy, extroversion and fair management of national wealth can improve the
quality of our life.
The NF supports a self-sufficient -as far as possible- and a decentralized model of national
production, quality services and fair trade in combination with the training of producers and
traders, making use of new technologies in business organization and administration.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
What is legal is not always moral and hence what is moral it may not necessarily be legal.
The legal regulations or the administrative omissions that facilitate the destruction of the
natural environment and the local economy at Skouries, in Itanos (Crete) (NF have appeal
along with other entities in the Council of State) are not environmentally ethical for us. Even
environmental laws with a positive sign, such as the National Plan for Urban Waste
Management, lose their momentum and moral value when they are not socially just.
But we should neither underestimate nor overestimate environmental legislation. For us the
criterion for the evaluation of the environmental legislation is the principle and character of
the administrative decisions and laws that are consistent with the definition of the
environment as defined in law 1650/86 as "the set of natural and anthropogenic factors and
items that interfere and affect the ecological balance, quality of life, the health of its
inhabitants, its historical and cultural tradition and aesthetic values."