Bulgaria to supply water from Arda River to irrigate Greek farms

The government of Zhelyazkov approved our country to supply Greece with 5 years of water for irrigation from the Arda River, until they build a dam. The Council of Ministers adopted a decision to approve a draft Joint Declaration between the two governments on the use of the waters of the Arda River.

The Bulgarian government declares its intention to provide the service of "accumulation, storage and regulated supply of water volumes" from the Arda River through the "Arda" cascade system, necessary for the irrigation of lands on Greek territory, until the modernization/construction of new equalizer(s) on Greek territory for 5 (five) years from the signing of this declaration, states the decision of the "Zhelyazkov" cabinet.

After this period, Bulgaria and Greece will review the provisions of the joint declaration governing the supply of regulated water from the Arda River for the irrigation of lands on Greek territory.

The Greek government declares its intention to begin within a reasonable period of time the relevant activities for the modernization of the constructed and/or construction of new equalizer(s), thus ensuring the irrigation needs of Greek territory, with a view to independence in the "accumulation, storage and regulated supply of water volumes" flowing along the Arda River on the territory of the Republic of Greece, the decision also states.

Greece also committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure the reimbursement of the relevant costs for the service provided by the Bulgarian side for "accumulation, storage and regulated supply of water volumes" from the Arda River.

The provision of water for irrigation to Greece from the Arda River in our country sparked a debate in parliament in February this year.