The most important topic on the agenda of the day’s meeting is the condition and use of the structures of the Narva hydroelectric plant, as well as questions regarding the use of the water resources of the Narva River and reservoir. In addition, a standard exchange of information about water use and the pollution load of bodies of water will be taking place. The Estonian side informs the work group about the course of the performance of the water management plan for the East-Estonia river basin, as well as the plan being developed for using part of the Narva River’s drainage in order to restore old fish spawning grounds in the Narva rapids. The agenda also includes some questions concerning the internal workings of the Commission, such as the specification of the procedure and forms for the exchanging of information, the preparation of a water management overview for transboundary water bodies, etc. The Estonian delegation is being led by the head of the Estonian side of the working group, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of the Environment Harry Liiv. The Estonian-Russian Transboundary Water Commission was established in 1997 after the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on the protection and sustainable use of transboundary water bodies between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation. The Commission promotes cross-border cooperation between the governments of the two countries, organises the exchange of monitoring data between the parties and the common methods of measurement, develops the opportunities for cooperation between the scientific and public organisations of both parties and supports the public discussion of problems involving transboundary water bodies. |
