Thursday, May 29, 2008

Ukraine, Moldova to create joint group of experts to assess effect of Novodnistrovska Hydroelectric Station on environment

Ukraine will present to Moldova documents on assessing the effect of the Novodnistrovska hydroelectric power station on the environment, Moldpress reported, citing the press service of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

A respective agreement was recently reached in Chisinau following Moldovan-Ukrainian consultations on the effect of the Giurgiulesti oil terminal and the Novodnistrovska hydroelectric power station on the environment.

The parties decided to create a joint team of experts to assess and forecast the influence of the Novodnistrovska hydroelectric power plant on the ecosystem of Dniester River. The parties also took a decision to ask the Secretariat of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) to allocate financial aid to conduct a thorough expertise of the river's ecosystem.

A protocol on the results of the Moldovan-Ukrainian consultations on the issues of the possible effect of the Giurgiulesti oil terminal and the Novodnistrovska hydroelectric power station on the environment was signed after the talks.

The Moldovan delegation included Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Violeta Ivanova, Vice Justice Minister Nicolae Esanu and Vice Minister of Transport and Road Management Pavel Untura. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Deputy Environmental Protection Minister Ivan Makarenko.