

The “European Union Water Initiative Plus for the Eastern Partnership” (EUWI+) held its 2nd Steering Committee meeting on 15 November 2018 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The meeting chaired by the European Commission brought together high-level officials from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, representing the partner countries, and implementing partners – OECD, UNECE and the consortium of the EU Member States (Austria and France).
This meeting has reviewed progress achieved to date through EUWI+ implementation in terms of benefits for citizens and discussed next steps as the project enters the final two-years stage. Challenges for River Basin Management Planning and implementation based on the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) in EaP countries and the role of reliable monitoring data have been presented and discussed. In addition, the meeting looked at progress in aligning national water legislation, strategies and the regulatory framework with Integrated Water Resources Management principles and obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
Participants have shared their vision of results and insights achieved by the EUWI+ on EU WFD implementation in Eastern Partnership countries. They have put forward their experience and future aspirations for the project in addressing challenges for water sector reforms, in particular that of harmonizing respective national water policies and practices with relevant EU directives.
The presentation focused on outputs and outcomes, the key challenges, the status of water reforms, opportunities, and capacity development needs, both from national and regional perspectives.
Also on the agenda was presented the six national work plans for 2019, developed in collaboration with the partner countries. The Steering Committee members were invited to discuss, provide feedback, and agree on national and regional work plans. The resulting recommendations and guidelines will be taken into account in the next steps of the project’s implementation.
Draft Summary Record of the 2nd EUWI+ Steering Committee Meeting
Eastern Partnership 20 Deliverables for 2020
List of Country Challenges, Recommendations and Agreed Actions
Useful documents :
Communication and visibility progress
Video Future of River Basin-Basin Council-RU
Video Phosphate pollution prevention - UA
All EUWI+ video
“EUWI+ Project Progress in Armenia” by Vahan Davtyan
“Progress since May 2017” by EUWI+ team
“EUWI+ Project Progress and changes occurred in previous period. Georgia” by Mariam Makarova
“EUWI+ Project Progress in Moldova” by Boris Iurciuc and Victoria Gratii
“Progress in Water Sector” by Volodymyr Bilokon’ & Vladislav Marushevsky
“Agenda Item 3. Key Milestones 2018” by EUWI+ team
“Regional work programme” by EUWI+ team
The 1st Steering Committee meeting of the 2017-2020 “European Union Water Initiative Plus for the Eastern Partnership” project (EUWI+ East) took place on 15 - 16 May 2017 in Brussels.
The meeting chaired by the European Commission brought together high-level officials from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, representing Partner countries, and implementing partners – OECD, UNECE and the consortium of the Member States (Austria and France).
This meeting marks the end of the inception phase of the project. Launched in September 2016 with duration of 4 years, the EUWI+ East project will provide support to development of a long-term vision of water sector reforms in the Partner countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. UNECE and OECD will assist the Partner countries in modernizing their water legislation, developing cooperation with neighbouring countries on transboundary rivers and updating national water and health targets, while the EU Member States consortium will bring experience and know-how to support WFD compliant sector management.
Participants shared their experience and aspirations for the programme in addressing challenges faced with regard to water sector reform, in particular to harmonizing the respective national water policies and practices with relevant EU directives.
Based on the key baseline findings of the inception phase the EUWI + East team has presented the key challenges, trends, alignment opportunities and capacity development needs, both from national and regional perspective.
The six national work plans, based on the country priorities and developed in collaboration with the Partner countries, were presented. The Steering Committee members provided feedback and agreed on the national work plans and other element of the project work programme. The resulting recommendations and guidelines will be taken into account in the next steps of the project implementation.