River Danube downstream impacts

9.4.2015

Question for written answer E-005675-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Vladimir Urutchev (PPE)

Within the EU the River Danube is a most important source of water, trade, energy and cooling for industrial purposes. It passes through seven Member States, with tributaries flowing into several others. Many of the much-needed infrastructure projects planned in the EU will add to the heat, environmental and water-level impacts already affecting the Danube. Moreover, every additional usage of the Danube will have a local environmental impact and downstream effects, especially in terms of water temperature and water level.

1. What does the Commission envisage doing to ensure that the projects planned by one Member State do not impact detrimentally on a downstream Member State which may also have planned projects designed to rely on the Danube in its current condition?

2. Does the Commission plan to establish an overall assessment of current and future impacts on the whole river?