WRITTEN QUESTION E-2491/99

by Pere Esteve (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Diversion of watercourses in Europe

The continent of Europe exhibits visible imbalances between its regions in the matter of fresh water: some regions show a clear excess while others suffer from a manifest shortage.

Does the Commission have plans to initiate any form of action, in the framework of interregional cooperation policy, to encourage the diversion of watercourses between hydrographic basins in the different EU Member States?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2000)

Due to different geography and climate, but also different human impact and different traditions, Member States and their regions show quite a diverse pattern of water-related problems, as well as different approaches towards solving those problems. This is one of the reasons why the Parliament, the Council, Member States as well as non-governmental organisations support the need for a new European water policy.

The proposed water framework directive(1)(2), presently at second reading in the Parliament, will expand the scope of water protection to all bodies of water, and promote the sustainable use of water as a resource; provide for achieving good status for all waters within a set deadline, following a combined approach of emission limit values and water quality objectives; ensure all the necessary measures are implemented on the basis of a river basin management; ensure coordination of objectives where regions or Member States share river basins; require water quantity issues to be addressed insofar as they support the quality objective, e.g. by setting the objective of a sustainable balance between abstractions and natural recharge; and increase transparency and involvement of all citizens and parties concerned when river basin management plans are established.

The Commission is convinced that water-related problems should be addressed at the source. This is the reason why the proposed water framework directive provides for an obligation for Member States and regions jointly to address their water problems in shared river basins, but not necessarily for a large-scale water transfer between river basins. Committing the Community to encouraging the diversion of watercourses at this stage would not support the principles of sustainable development and of addressing environmental problems at the source, as laid down in the EC Treaty, and taken up as one of the pillars of the proposed water framework directive. Only when the water framework directive is adopted, and comparable objectives are established, will the necessary data be available. The Commission feels supported in this by the first reading opinion of the Parliament of February 1999(3) on the proposal.

However, where specific projects respect the environmental objectives laid down and a consensus between the parties is established, the water framework directive would not in any way prohibit such solutions. At the same time, the Community's financial instruments such as the structural funds and the Cohesion fund are required to work, simultaneously and in the long-term interest, towards economic growth, social cohesion and the protection of the environment, in other words, sustainable development. The future

Community initiative Interreg III foresees amongst the eligible measures actions of cooperation in the field of sustainable water management (floods, droughts) within a spatial planning context.

(1) OJ C 108, 7.4.1998.

(2) Common Position adopted by Council on 22.10.1999, not yet published in the Official Journal.

(3) OJ C 150, 28.5.1999.