The protection of the Nistru River is Moldova’s priority in the negotiations with Ukraine when it goes to Kiev’s intention to extend the Dniester Hydropower Complex, said Minister of the Environment Iuliana Cantaragiu. According to her, the negotiations with Ukraine on the issue are very difficult, but Chisinau will not concede given that the Nistru is the main source of water of the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports.
The minister said the launch by Ukraine of the fourth turbine of the Dniester Hydropower Complex is not crucial for the level of water in the Nistru and concern is generated by the extension of Ukraine’s hydropower ambitions.
“Seven turbines were planned to be constructed as part of the hydropower complex. The largest volume of water is needed for the proper functioning of the next three turbines. The putting into operation of the fourth turbine does not change the current situation. We insist on installing a point for measuring the level of water at the bridge in Naslavcea. But we cannot do things unilaterally. The consensus of both of the sides is needed. The negotiations are not easy, but they are held,” Iuliana Cantaragiu stated in the program “Moldova Live” on the public TV channel.
According to the minister, the next meeting of the Nistru commission – the platform on which the evolutions in the case of the Nistru River are analyzed – will take place in October. Cantaragiu said that in the negotiations with the Ukrainian side, Chisinau is preoccupied with the maintaining of the high level of water and prevention of the degradation of ecosystems.
“The talks are complex, but international practice shows there negotiations that last for even 50 years in the case of international agreements on transboundary rivers. Owing to the support of Sweden, a study was carried out and this determined the impact of this hydropower plant. We are not against the functioning of this plant, but it should not affect the state of the river,” stated Cantaragiu.
Back in 2014, Ukraine installed four turbines on the Nistru for producing electrical energy and plans to install three more turbines. The fourth turbine was launched at the end of August. According to ecologists, the actions of the Ukrainian side affect the quality of water and the river can even dry up in several years. The Nistru ensures 70% of the drinking water necessities of the Republic of Moldova.
