Moldova willing to resume negotiations with Ukraine on operation of Dniester hydropower complex

Chisinau, 15 June /MOLDPRES/- Moldova is open for negotiations and proposes to convene a joint working group with the Ukrainian side in the first decade of July 2017 in Chisinau on the operation of Novodnestrovsk Dniester Hydropower Complex, Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic said at a yesterday’s meeting of the working group on the matter.
The official said that it is important to find a compromise solution with the Ukrainian side. This will ensure the safe exploitation of the complex, including ensuring the ecological security of the Dniester river in the cross-border context.
According to the Economics Ministry’s communication and public relations service, the negotiation agenda includes demarcation of the state border between Moldova and Ukraine, mutual recognition of rights and regulation of property relations, impact on environmental and social context of exploitation of water resources in Dniester river basin, as well as other issues of energy security.
The complex was put into operation in 1981 and includes two hydroelectric plants and a pumped storage hydroelectric plant.
In June 2016, after a break of more than three years, the experts resumed consultations on the Dniester hydropower complex, and voiced willingness to continue them in order to complete the draft agreement on ensuring the functioning of the complex, by setting clear guarantees for Moldova related to the water volume, which will be provided below the dam No2.
The agreement between the Moldovan and Ukrainian governments on cooperation in sustainable protection and development of the Dniester river, signed in Rome in November 2012, was ratified by the Ukrainian side only on 7 June 2017. The document replaces the agreement between the Moldovan and Ukrainian governments on joint management of cross-border waters in November 2003, which does not correspond to the principles of cross-border water management.
 
(Reporter V. Bercu, editor M. Jantovan)