The problem of the Nistru River is a national security and regional one. Currently, the river’s water is consumed by about 8 million people and the interest of the Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities should be to keep the Nistru as a source of water for these people, Alecu Renita, chairman of the Ecologist Movement of Moldova, stated in the talk show “Emphasis on today” on TVR Moldova channel, IPN reports.

“If the Nistru disappears as a result of an adventure or an anti-ecological project, these 8 million people should take their belongings and go and look for a refuge,” stated Alecu Renita. According to him, the fact that the intervention of the European Union is now required in the construction by Ukraine of six hydroelectric plants on the Nistru River opens up real possibilities of returning the river to the two nations.

Alecu Renita noted that the project of this complex of hydropower plants that Ukraine intends to build on the Nistru envisions a twice larger capacity of the river. “It was thought up incorrectly from the start,” he stated.

Iuliana Cantaragiu, expert of the National Environmental Center, said history should teach the Republic of Moldova that it should be more prudent in its relationship with Ukraine and should not believe any promise made by the neighboring state. Now the agreement that is to be signed by the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine should be consulted with the public.

As regards the hydroelectric plant in Novodnistrovsk, Iuliana Cantaragiu said a study of the impact on the environment should have been carried out, but this hasn’t been yet done and, consequently, the hydropower plant was extended.

According to the expert, currently the Republic of Moldova cannot influence the level of water in the Nistru that reaches the country as the volumes of water are determined by the Ukrainian side.

Prime Minister Pavel Filip recently said he was assured by his Ukrainian counterpart that no hydropower plant will be built on the Nistru without Moldova’s consent and without conducting a study of the impact on the environment.