Member of the European Parliament from Romania Maria Grapini appealed to the European Commission about the hydraulic works of the Ukrainian side in the area of the Bystroe Canal on the Danube. She asked to clarify what measures would be taken to protect the delta of the river.
Grapini stressed in her appeal that the Danube Delta is a unique wildlife reserve in Europe.
“In light of Ukraine’s unilateral decision to dredge the mouth of the Bystroe River in the Danube Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and given that such an action requires notification to the neighbouring country, Romania, what measures will the European Commission take to protect the Danube delta,” the document said.
The MEP also asked how the EC plans to ensure compliance with international conventions and regulations, including those applicable to environmental protection activities on the river.
According to the politician, we should expect that Kiev, having signed the association agreement with the EU, will comply with the European and international rules currently in force.
Romania has been supporting the Ukrainian authorities for more than a year, Grapini clarified.
“However, at the same time, as a neighbouring country it has the right to respect its own territory,” the MP added.
In February, the Ukrainian ambassador to Romania, Igor Prokopchuk, was summoned to the country’s Foreign Ministry to get an explanation about the works on the Bystroe canal. Bucharest demanded that Kiev allow Romanian hydrographic vessels into Ukrainian waters to conduct the necessary measurements.
Romania has protested against Ukraine’s decision to deepen the canal and also to seek the inclusion of the Danube arms of Kilia and Bystroe into the trans-European transport network. Meanwhile, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov said in the social networks that the canal will be deepened from 3.9 to 6.5 meters. According to him, it will increase the capacity of the Danube and the export turnover of the ports.
1,174 total views, 2 views today
