The Government approved the nominal composition of the Moldovan side on the commission for the stable use and protection of the Nistru River basin. Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Valentina Tapis will chair the commission on behalf of Moldova, IPN reports.

Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that even if a lot is speculated about the Nistru River ecosystem, this is a priority on the Moldovan – Ukrainian agenda. “This commission is very important and results from an accomplishment reached last year. I mean the ratification by Ukraine of the Rome Agreement of 2012 based on which the commission was set up. This will be able to assess and to monitor what is happening on the Nistru River,” stated the Premier.

Pavel Filip noted that progress has been made in negotiating the agreement on the functioning of the Nistrean Hydroelectric Complex within which the environmental aspect is the most important one. He also mentioned the approach made in concert with Ukraine to the European Commission to provide assistance in conducting a comprehensive ecological study of the impact along the Nistru.

As to the energy development program of Ukraine, which envisions the building of another six hydropower plants in a cascade, the Prime Minister said that following the ratification of the Rome Agreement, in the absence of an impact study and without the consent of the Republic of Moldova, this is not possible. “We were assured by Ukraine that nothing will be done to worsen the condition of the Nistru. On the contrary, we will do everything to keep it. It is a common treasure and is the main source for supplying Chisinau and also Odessa with water. That’s why it is our duty to transmit a clear river to our successors,” stated the Premier.