OSCE helps develop regional co-operation to better manage Sava River basin

SISAK, Croatia, 11 September 2006 - Developing a regional action plan for the Sava River basin was on the agenda of an OSCE workshop that began today in the Croatian town of Donja Stubica.

Local officials, water suppliers, NGOs and government representatives from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia are participating in the workshop, which aims to create a network on Sava River basin water resource management.

"We are very pleased to see that three countries recently affected by war have decided to co-operate in managing the Sava River water resources for a better future for all," said Michel Dreneau, Head of the OSCE Field Office in Sisak.

Participants at the two-day workshop will discuss and share experiences to promote co-operation on trans-boundary natural resources, flood management, navigation and economic development, as well as access to financing water infrastructure projects.

The workshop, sponsored by Belgium, is organized by the OSCE Mission to Croatia, the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.