Moldovan PM describes Dniester river as common wealth, urges to transmit clean river to descendants

Chisinau, 13 April /MOLDPRES/ – Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, mentioned positive results of his visit in Kiev on 12 April, starting the Cabinet of Ministers' meeting today. The Prime Minister said that, besides discussions of Security Forum, promulgation of law on joint control at the Moldovan – Ukrainian border, signing new bilateral documents, an important topic represented preservation and development of the Dniester river ecosystem.

According to the government’s communication and protocol department, PM mentioned that, although it has been speculated a lot on the Dniester ecosystem, it is a priority on the Moldovan – Ukrainian agenda. "We did not announce in public, but this item is a key one when we meet with colleagues in Ukraine, for two and a half years already, there are working groups and achievements," said Pavel Filip.

The PM said at the meeting today, that it was approved composition of Commission on the stable use and protection of the Dniester river, Ukrainian side also designating its representatives. "This committee is very important and it results from an achievement we have been able to achieve last year. It is about ratification by Ukraine of Rome Agreement 2012 based on which Commission will be created and be able to assess, monitor situation on the Dniester river," said Pavel Filip.

The head of Executive also pointed out that negotiation on functioning agreement of the Dniestrean Hydro – energetic Complex has progressed, where environmental component is most important too. In this context, it was also mentioned that, jointly with Ukraine, European Commission was asked to provide assistance for carrying out a comprehensive ecological impact study over whole length of the Dniester river.

Similarly, Pavel Filip talked about the implementation of the Global Ecological Fund project, but also study carried out by Embassy of Sweden in Moldova on environmental impact of functioning energy complex on Moldova's territory.

With reference to energy development programme of the Ukrainian authorities, which provided for construction of six hydropower plants in cascade, Premier said that following ratification of Rome Agreement, in absence of an impact study and without Moldova's agreement, it can not be implemented.

"We pay more attention and hold all assurances from Ukraine nothing happening to lead to deterioration of the Dniester river's conditions. On contrary, we will do everything to preserve it. It is a common wealth, being major source of water supply for Chisinau municipality, but also for Odessa city, that is why we have obligation to transmit a clean river to our descendants ", said PM.