Newsroom
OSCE suggests co-operation in addressing Lake Ohrid water management issues
SKOPJE 31 October 2000
SKOPJE, 31 October 2000 - The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje issued the following comments regarding the water management of Lake Ohrid, which is situated on a border shared with Albania. The comments follow the Mission's mandate to promote stability and security, in particular in border areas, and to prevent disputes concerning also natural resources such as water.
Collective responsibility to be extremely vigilant about protecting the environment exists, and policy makers are legally bound to take the views of civil society into consideration. However, it is in the interest of all citizens that the issue of water assistance to Albania does not become blown out of proportion.
The OSCE Mission recommends a dispassionate analysis of facts, which seem to indicate that the water level in the lake is well above the minimum level, and higher than it has been previously in spite of the water provided for energy purposes to the neighbouring state.
The OSCE Mission to Skopje considers the current search for an ecologically acceptable way of assisting the neighbouring state in line with the spirit of regional co-operation that is strongly supported by the international community and emphasized in the Stability Pact framework and in other multilateral contexts.
International neutral expert parties could be invited to assess whether environmental standards are met.
The OSCE Mission also suggests that other type of energy assistance should be considered in case the water level should indeed approach the minimum level stipulated by scientists in 1978.
Finally, a revision of bilateral legal agreements on water management seems advisable, in order to bring further clarity to state parties' rights and obligations, with the ultimate aim of pre-empting the possibility of future disputes.
The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje is committed to co-operate with the OSCE Presence in Albania in order to facilitate the implementation of the suggested measures.
For additional information, contact Harald Schenker, Media Adviser at the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission, tel.: + 389 91 111 143, fax: + 389 91 111 267 email: [email protected]
Collective responsibility to be extremely vigilant about protecting the environment exists, and policy makers are legally bound to take the views of civil society into consideration. However, it is in the interest of all citizens that the issue of water assistance to Albania does not become blown out of proportion.
The OSCE Mission recommends a dispassionate analysis of facts, which seem to indicate that the water level in the lake is well above the minimum level, and higher than it has been previously in spite of the water provided for energy purposes to the neighbouring state.
The OSCE Mission to Skopje considers the current search for an ecologically acceptable way of assisting the neighbouring state in line with the spirit of regional co-operation that is strongly supported by the international community and emphasized in the Stability Pact framework and in other multilateral contexts.
International neutral expert parties could be invited to assess whether environmental standards are met.
The OSCE Mission also suggests that other type of energy assistance should be considered in case the water level should indeed approach the minimum level stipulated by scientists in 1978.
Finally, a revision of bilateral legal agreements on water management seems advisable, in order to bring further clarity to state parties' rights and obligations, with the ultimate aim of pre-empting the possibility of future disputes.
The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje is committed to co-operate with the OSCE Presence in Albania in order to facilitate the implementation of the suggested measures.
For additional information, contact Harald Schenker, Media Adviser at the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission, tel.: + 389 91 111 143, fax: + 389 91 111 267 email: [email protected]