Ukraine and Moldova agree on joint project to study Dnister River basin (11/21/04)

Ukraine and Moldova agree on joint project to study Dnister River basin

CHISINAU - Government and civil society representatives of Ukraine and Moldova met on September 15 in Chisinau to launch a joint project that aims to develop a diagnostic study of the Dnister River basin.

Supported by the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the project is called "Transboundary Cooperation and Sustainable Management of the Dniestr River."

The Dnister (spelling based on the Ukrainian name of the river) - one of the major rivers in Eastern Europe and an important source of drinking water, is facing serious environmental problems. The river is shared between Ukraine and Moldova, including the conflict-ridden Transdnestrian region, which makes it difficult to achieve a coherent approach to solving the existing problems and improve river management.

The project is financed by Sweden, Switzerland and the United States, and was developed according to the principles of the UNECE Convention on Sustainable Management of Transboundary Waters and International Lakes and involves experts from UNECE and OSCE.

"Environmental NGOs from Moldova and Ukraine have been lobbying their governments for increased cooperation on the Dniestr river for years," said Ilya Trombitsky, director of the non-governmental organization Eco-TIRAS. "This meeting marks a real breakthrough for bilateral collaboration and for the environment of the river basin."

Natalia Zakorchevna of Ukraine's Ministry of Environment said: "Ukraine has sent a high level delegation to this meeting with the intention to use this project for the development of our cooperation with Moldova on the management of the river Dnister River."

Tamara Guvir of Moldova's Ministry of Environment said: "It has long been a priority for Moldova to develop cooperation with Ukraine on the Dniestr river. We are delighted to see that steps are now being taken in this direction."

The Dnister River is a transboundary river that starts in the Ukrainian Carpathians, flows through Moldova and reaches Ukraine again near the Black Sea. The river also forms the border between the right bank and the Transdniestrian region of Moldova. More than 7 million people live in the river basin, which is the main source of drinking water in Moldova and parts of Ukraine.

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