B3-0164 and 0212/94

Resolution on the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros project

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the findings of the trilateral group of experts who submitted their proposals to the Governments of Slovakia and Hungary on 1 December 1993,

B.having regard to its many previous resolutions on this subject, most recently of 25 June 1993, which stressed Parliament's concern at the serious ecological effects and the consequences for drinking water supplies,

C.whereas the objective of the dam is: flood protection; protection of the riverbed against erosion; conservation of delta and wetland wood; improvement of groundwater conditions (following technical measures on both sides); environmentally clean electricity production,

D.whereas with the onset of spring it is all the more urgent to establish a temporary water management system which will limit as far as possible the damage to the environment and to the supply of drinking water,

1.Reiterates its concern at the damage the project may do to nature and the environment in the region, especially in Hungary;

2.Asks the Commission to report on the results of the work of the monitoring group and the expert group that started their work in September 1993 and hopes that the report will serve as a basis for further negotiation on necessary technical measures and a water management regime for the river;

3.Points out that, in view of its unique ecological situation, the conservation of this natural area far outweighs the interests of Slovakia and Hungary alone;

4.Notes that there has not been sufficient progress in the discussions on the temporary water management regime, which is to the detriment of the population in this part of the Danube region;

5.Calls for the rights of citizens in this region to be safeguarded by means of a democratic consultation procedure;

6.Expresses its hope that a solution will be found to the question of a temporary water management regime which is acceptable to both Slovaks and Hungarians;

7.Expects the Commission to step up its activities within the Trilateral Group;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Governments of Slovakia and Hungary.