Environment Ministry recommends adaptive water-sharing agreement with Greece

Bulgaria cannot undertake long-term commitments to fixed water quantities for Greece, as climate change, declining river runoff, and increasing demand from the population and economy make such guarantees unfeasible. This is stated in responses from the Ministry of Environment and Water to the news agency BGNES, following remarks by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that Sofia and Athens should reach a “long-term agreement on transboundary waters” of the Arda and Maritsa rivers.

The ministry underlines that in recent years there has been a rise in average annual temperatures, while forecasts point to further changes in the water regime.

The environmental ministry argues that long-term guarantees cannot be made, as available water resources depend on multiple variable factors, including seasonal fluctuations, precipitation, hydrological conditions, climate change, and dynamics in consumption.

“It is appropriate to establish a mechanism ensuring periodic review of water quantities and taking into account changing climatic, hydrological and environmental conditions,” the institution states, adding that such a mechanism should allow for the adjustment of commitments in cases of “prolonged drought periods, extreme climatic events, reduced water resources, or risks to water supply, agriculture, energy production and ecosystems on Bulgarian territory.”

It is also recommended that both countries invest in water management infrastructure, including the construction of dams and facilities for the storage and regulation of water resources.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov