Ukraine and Moldova agree to develop co-operation on sustainable management of the Dniestr river

CHISINAU, 15 September 2004 - Government and civil society representatives of Ukraine and Moldova met today in Chisinau to launch a joint project which aims to develop a diagnostic study of the Dniestr 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 Dnestr 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 co-operation 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 co-operation with Moldova on the management of the river Dniestr.

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

The Dniestr river is a transboundary river, which starts in the Ukrainian Carpathians, flows through Moldova and reaches Ukraine again near the Black Sea. The Dniestr 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.