Moldova PM Tofan calls for constructive dialogue over Dniester crisis

The Prime Minister calls for a “constructive discussion” on the crisis on the Dniester: “Let’s not point fingers”

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has responded to those criticising the authorities over the falling water levels in the Dniester, stating that solutions to the hydrological crisis must be sought through constructive dialogue. He emphasised that the situation is serious and that the authorities must focus on measures to ensure the water supply, including to communities in the north of the country.

Vasile Tofan

Add Logos Press as a preferred source on Google

“There are a great many people who are critical, and I believe they are right to be angry and to voice their criticism. At the same time, I would very much like this criticism to be constructive. If there are people who believe they can help us, who have solutions to the situation on the Dniester, we are open to this; we collaborate with everyone. At the same time, I cannot accept solutions along the lines of ‘the Ukrainians are to blame’,” said the Prime Minister.

He cited the example of the situation on the Danube – “which used to have a flow rate of 3,600 cubic metres per second, but has now dropped to 1,600”: “So, is it all the Ukrainians’ fault on the Danube?”

At the same time, the Prime Minister maintains that the authorities have taken steps to maintain as high a flow rate as possible in the Dniester and that the priority now is to identify solutions for the water supply. According to Tofan, measures must also be taken for the northern localities, so that the population is not left without water.

“I, too, believe we need to have a constructive discussion. It’s a major problem. It’s a problem where we’ve ended up in such a serious situation, and now people are trying to pin the blame on someone too easily. If 25,000 cubic metres flow into the Dniester, we have used all our connections to delay this decision. And the Ukrainians have given us far more water so far than has entered the power station. In other words, we have done everything possible to prevent this situation. And now we must consider how to secure our water supply – both in Coșernița and in Cosăuți – so that people are not left without water. That is what we must focus on. Not pointing the finger where the problem does not lie.”

The statements were made against the backdrop of the hydrological crisis affecting the Dniester. On 29 September, the authorities announced that the water level in the Novodnistrovsk reservoir had fallen below the critical threshold of 111 metres, compared with the normal level of approximately 121.5 metres. At the Cosăuți intake station, the water level reached around 2.16 metres.

Against this backdrop, Tofan convened a working meeting with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, the National Administration ‘Apele Moldovei’, Chișinău City Council and S.A. ‘Apă-Canal Chișinău’, during which scenarios and measures to maintain the water supply were analysed.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

How did this story make you feel?