Greece and Bulgaria have agreed to a temporary five-year deal regulating irrigation along the Arda River, resolving water access issues for northern Evros after the expiration of a 1964 bilateral agreement.

The deal, pending signature by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, replaces short-term quarterly arrangements used over the past year to avoid water shortages in the region.

Under the agreement, Bulgaria will guarantee water supply via its Arda dam system for five years.

In return, Greece pledges to modernize its existing dam infrastructure and construct a new facility to enable independent storage and regulated water flow for its agricultural needs.

Athens also agrees to compensate Sofia for operational losses when Bulgaria’s hydroelectric dam releases water solely for irrigation purposes rather than electricity generation.

The pact, framed under EU cross-border cooperation guidelines, reflects a mutual intent to pursue a permanent water management solution in the future.

Source: Ekathimerini.com