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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) Romania and (b) Ukraine regarding the proposed construction of the Bastroe channel and its effect on the Danube Delta; and if she will make a statement; [183691] (2) what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the EU regarding the proposed construction of the Bastroe channel and its effect on the Danube Delta. [183692] Mr. Morley: The Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has not had any bilateral discussions with her counterparts in the EU, Romania or Ukraine regarding the proposed construction of the Bastroe channel. The issue is being discussed at EU level between EU Institutions and the Ukrainian Government. The subject was also raised last week at the EU/Ukraine summit in the Hague. Practical steps to resolve the issue have already been taken by the Council of Europe. Ukraine has agreed to an independent environmental impact assessment by experts appointed by the Council of Europe, which is scheduled to take place at the end of July. The results will be presented at the upcoming meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention. The UK Government fully supports this course of action.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

423 c1340W; 183691;183692

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Construction Environmental impact assessment Inland waterways Ukraine River Danube

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk