VIDEO // Prime Minister about situation on Dniester River: We must focus on solutions, not point fingers where cause of problem does not lie

The situation on the Dniester River is serious, which is precisely why we must focus on solutions and on what we can do, rather than pointing fingers where the cause of the problem does not lie. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan made the statement at the beginning of today’s government meeting, amid the alarming decline in water levels in the Dniester River.


“I understand the people who are critical and angry because of the situation on the Dniester. It is a serious problem, and it is natural for questions to arise. But I would like this criticism to be constructive. We cannot look for culprits where the problem has much broader causes. If there are people who believe they can help, who have solutions for the situation on the Dniester, we are open and will work with everyone. At the same time, I cannot accept claims such as ‘the Ukrainians are to blame,’” Vasile Tofan said.


According to the official, this is a serious regional problem, and solutions must be sought based on reality, not accusations.


“Look at what is happening in the region: the Danube, which had a flow rate of approximately 3,600 m³/s, has fallen to around 1,600 m³/s in some sections. In some areas of Romania, water levels have dropped dramatically. On the Rhine, water levels have become extremely low in certain sections, affecting barge traffic on one of Europe’s most important economic waterways. On the Prut, the flow rate has fallen to approximately 14 m³/s,” the prime minister said.


The official emphasized that the authorities had made sustained efforts to prevent the situation from worsening, and that the priority remains ensuring a continuous water supply for citizens.


“We used all the channels and contacts available to us so that the released flows would be maintained for as long as possible. We have reached this extremely serious situation, and now people are trying to find someone to blame. Twenty-five cubic metres are flowing into the Dniester, and we used all our contacts to extend this decision; the Ukrainians have provided us with much more water so far than was flowing into the reservoir. We did everything possible to prevent this situation, and now we must think about how to ensure water supplies in Coșernița and Cosăuți as well, so that people are not left without water. This is what we must focus on, rather than pointing fingers where the problem does not lie,” Vasile Tofan said.


As of September 26, the Republic of Moldova entered a state of emergency in the hydrological sector amid the complicated situation on the Dniester River.