Ukraine and Romania strengthen cooperation in transboundary water management

Between 14–15 October 2025, the city of Suceava (Romania) hosted the XIII Meeting of the Plenipotentiaries of the Governments of Ukraine and Romania on the implementation of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Water Management on Transboundary Waters.

The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Ihor Hopchak, Chairman of the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine.
The Basin Authority of the Rivers of the Black Sea Region and Lower Danube was represented by Ivan Kichuk, Acting Head and Leader of the Working Group on Danube Issues, and Oleh Romanchuk, Head of the Department for Water Relations and Basin Interaction.

In his address, Ihor Hopchak emphasized:

“The cooperation between Ukraine and Romania is a true example of European solidarity.
Our countries share the same goal — to preserve and restore the condition of the transboundary waters of the Tisza, Prut, Siret and Danube rivers.
For Ukraine’s water sector, this is a step towards full integration into the European water policy, the implementation of the Water Framework, Floods and Nitrates Directives, the further development of the basin management principle and the strengthening of cross-border cooperation.
Romania’s experience, having already passed this path, serves as a valuable benchmark in reforming Ukraine’s water sector.”

The meeting reviewed:

-       progress on the implementation of decisions from the previous (April 2024) session;

-       results of cooperation regulations on hydrographic sub-basins in 2023;

-       flood and ice risk management,

-       exchange of hydrological and meteorological data,

-       assessment of water quality, and

-       emergency response coordination.

Ivan Kichuk presented the report of the Working Group on the Danube and informed participants about the status of bilateral cooperation.
He noted that, due to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, joint hydrological surveys on transboundary sections of the Danube have not been carried out; however, each side continues independent monitoring and data exchange remains active and transparent.

Outcomes and next steps

As a result of the XIII Meeting, the two parties:

-       approved the minutes of the working group sessions;

-       endorsed the Work Programme for 2026;

-       agreed to intensify cooperation in the field of water monitoring, flood protection and data management.

A key focus will be on joint project preparation under the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) — in areas such as Danube Delta ecological restoration, flood risk management, water quality laboratories and cross-border innovation platforms.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research:

The Institute of Danube Research highlights that regular meetings of the Ukrainian and Romanian Plenipotentiaries are a foundation of institutional trust and predictability in basin governance.
The 2025 session is symbolic not only technically but also politically — demonstrating Ukraine’s return to active participation in European water platforms despite wartime challenges.

Ukraine’s gradual alignment with the EU Water Framework and Floods Directives is becoming a practical reality, while Romania’s expertise provides valuable guidance for implementing joint monitoring, early warning systems and environmental data exchange.

Looking ahead, IDS underscores the importance of creating joint analytical hubs for the Danube, Prut and Siret basins, which will help Ukraine prepare for EU membership in the environmental and water sectors.
This is a model of European neighbourhood and responsibility for shared water resources.

Background:
The Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Romania on Cooperation in the Field of Water Management on Transboundary Waters was signed in 1997 and regulates the joint management, use and protection of the water resources of the Tisza, Prut, Siret and Danube basins.