Danube riparians celebrated 10th anniversary of the Danube River Protection Convention on 29 June 2004
The 10th anniversary of the Danube River Protection Convention was declared "Danube Day" by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). "The Danube unites 18 countries in its basin - more than any other river" said Federal Environment Minister Juergen Trittin. "It is the common link between more than 80 million people with different cultures, languages and histories. The Danube River provides drinking water, water for agriculture and industry, water for energy production, for navigation, tourism and fishing. The Danube Day is perfectly suited to promote the protection and the sustainable use of this European river."
Since 1994, the Danube riparians have had a Joint Action Programme up to 2005, a coordinated measuring and study programme and an international early-warning system for accident-related water pollution. 2004 has special meaning for the Danube river. In December, a ministerial conference will decide on a flood protection plan for the whole Danube river basin. After an inventory of the status of the river pursuant to the EU Water Framework Directive, there will be a management plan for the whole Danube river.
You can find further information on Danube Day and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) on the Internet at www.danubeday.org and www.icpdr.org .