Cooperation with Ukraine, Romania as priority for Moldova - environment minister says

Chisinau, 30 September /MOLDPRES/- Cooperation with Ukraine and Romania is a priority for Moldovan government to reduce the level of pollution and maintain the water flow of the Dniester and Prut rivers.

Cooperation between Chisinau and Kiev on sustainable use and protection of the Dniester River is ensured by the Intergovernmental Commission set up for this purpose. Regarding the Prut River, the elaboration and signing of a trilateral agreement between Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and the establishment of a joint body for the sustainable management and protection of the Prut River would be the most appropriate way forward.

Minister of Environment Iuliana Cantaragiu made the statement at the high level session during a Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, held in Geneva.

"With the support of the Convention we aim to prevent the degradation and restoration of ecosystems, maintain the natural flow and volume of water, conserve biodiversity, and prevent and mitigate the consequences caused by anthropogenic factors," the official said.

Cantaragiu reaffirmed the government's commitment to effectively implement the Convention and to ensure coherence in promoting cross-border cooperation policies in water management and protection of Dniester and Prut waters, for the benefit of population, economy and ecosystems. The official also spoke about the challenges facing our country to ensure the sustainability of the Dniester River basin, mentioning the impact of the operation of the Dniester Hydropower Complex located in the upper Dniester River basin.

"Recent studies by a group of scientists and experts on the impact of the Dniester hydropower complex on the Dniester River show that there is an impact on water quality and ecosystems at least 150 km downstream of the dam. To be green, the technology used should not harm ecosystems and should not affect watercourses. The development of a compensation mechanism for the loss of ecosystem services would offer the possibility of rehabilitating ecosystems downstream of the dam built for hydropower purposes. The provision of the compensation mechanism should be part of any bilateral or multilateral agreement between countries for the sustainable use of transboundary watercourses for hydropower purposes ", the Minister of Environment said.

The Geneva session provided a high-level platform for an open dialogue on the role of water in sustainable development, regional integration, cooperation and peace in transboundary basins.

Photo: Ministry of Environment