European Union concerned that Ukraine observe environmental standards

The controversy over the Danube – Black Sea canal does not only concern Ukraine and Romania, but all those concerned about not harming the environment. This was the message today, after the EU-Ukraine council in Brussels from the Deputy Director General on Foreign Relations of the European Commission, Hugh Mingarelli.

He said that the EU leaders understand that the Ukrainian authorities have an economic interest in finishing the Danube – Black Sea canal. However Brussels would not want such plans to create an environmental hazard for the ecosystem of the Danube delta. He stressed that anything concerning the environment was a matter for all, not only Ukraine and Romania, and that for this reason they were taking it upon themselves to advise Ukraine. Yulia Tymoshenko promised that in all issues regarding the work of the canal, Kyiv would bear in mind environmental considerations.