Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000430/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)
The expiration of the cross-border agreement between Greece and Bulgaria for the supply of water resources via the River Arda – and the end of the three-month extension thereof – has created serious uncertainty for farmers in the Greek region of Evros, who rely on this water to irrigate more than 300 000 hectares of farmland. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of a stable government in Bulgaria, which is hampering the smooth negotiation of a new agreement.
The inability to find a solution threatens not only the viability of agricultural production in Evros, but also the social and economic cohesion of the region. At the same time, maintenance problems at the Kalyva and Kefali dams compound the problem further, as they limit the possibility of using local water resources.
Given the importance of cross-border cooperation and the EU’s role in supporting the outermost regions, can the Commission say:
- 1.What can the EU do to ensure that a new cross-border deal is negotiated or concluded between Greece and Bulgaria, despite the political instability in our neighbouring country?
- 2.What European tools or programmes can be mobilised right away to meet irrigation needs and restore local irrigation infrastructure, ensuring the viability of agricultural production in Evros?
Submitted: 30.1.2025