Almotamar.net - Yemen's minister for Waters and Environment Abdurrahman al-Eryany said Monday a delegation from the UNESCO is expected to visit Yemen late of this year to declare the Yemeni island Socotra an area of world Heritage in the mid of the year 2008, considering the declaration will hold Yemen responsible for preserving the world heritage.

In the press conference he held today at the Italian embassy in Sana'a on the Italian national day the minister confirmed commitment of the Yemeni government to protect the biodiversity in Socotra Archipelago and the nonexistence of contradiction between protection of environment and sustainable development.

The minister called on Yemen's partners in development to maintain their support for the efforts for protection of environment in Socotra and development of life on it. At the time he thanked the Italian government for the support it has offered for preservation of environment in Socotra minister Al-Eryany said they in the government are seeking to found better economic circumstances for the island inhabitants, adding there would be a focus on the ecotourism so that to provide big benefit for the people of Socotra.

In the same context the Italian embassy held an exhibition for photographs depicting the island of Socotra showing the features of enchanting nature and the biodiversity of the island.