Ukraine–Romania Cooperation in Water Management

On 3–4 December 2025, an online meeting of the Ukraine–Romania Working Group on issues related to the Danube River was held under the framework of the bilateral Regulations between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Romania. The meeting marked another important step in strengthening transboundary cooperation in water management, environmental monitoring, and ecological safety in the shared Danube basin.

Romania was represented by Ms. Elena Țuchiu, Coordinator of the Working Group on Danube Issues and Director of the Directorate for Integrated European Water Resources Management at the National Administration “Apele Române”.
The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Mr. Ivan Kichuk, Deputy Director of the Basin Water Resources Department of the Black Sea and Lower Danube Rivers.

Participants reviewed progress in implementing the three bilateral Regulations for 2024:

• Regulation on flood and ice risk management on transboundary watercourses;
• Regulation on the exchange of hydrological and meteorological data;
• Regulation on the assessment of border water quality and emergency pollution response.

According to joint monitoring, no emergency pollution with transboundary impact was recorded in 2024–2025, demonstrating the effectiveness of the coordinated mechanisms and timely information exchange.

Attention was devoted to the condition of existing hydraulic structures, facilities under construction, and plans for new infrastructure aimed at improving flood resilience and adapting to climate risks.

The parties also agreed to intensify experience exchange between water monitoring laboratories to harmonize methodologies and eliminate discrepancies in chemical and hydrogeological analyses.

Considering the security situation caused by Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, relevant risk factors will be incorporated into the Work Programme for 2026. The meeting concluded with the signing of protocol decisions by both sides.

IDR Commentary

The Institute of Danube Research welcomes the consistent strengthening of Ukraine–Romania cooperation in the field of water management, as this partnership is vital for the stability and ecological resilience of the Lower Danube and the broader Danube macro-region.

From IDR’s perspective:

1. Joint water governance is essential for basin-wide security

Climate change, flood risk, ice phenomena, and the potential for technological incidents require coordinated transboundary planning and rapid information exchange.

2. Harmonised monitoring is a cornerstone of trust and EU-aligned policy

Shared methodologies and compatible data strengthen compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive and improve regional preparedness for environmental incidents.

3. War-related risks require adaptive, flexible water management approaches

Infrastructure stress, pollution threats, and hydrological disruptions caused by military actions highlight the need for robust early-warning systems and coordinated crisis protocols.

4. Laboratory cooperation enhances scientific accuracy and monitoring quality

Inter-laboratory calibration will reduce discrepancies in water-quality assessments and improve the reliability of decision-making across the border.

5. Ukraine–Romania cooperation contributes to the objectives of the EU Danube Strategy

The Lower Danube is a strategically sensitive area where environmental protection, navigation, energy, and security interests converge. Effective cooperation supports sustainability and regional integration.

The progress of the Ukraine–Romania Working Group demonstrates a high level of institutional coordination and shared responsibility for the ecological health of the Danube basin. IDR emphasizes that further strengthening of bilateral cooperation, data harmonisation, and alignment with European environmental standards are key to ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the region.