Declaration on Protection of Danube River Signed
The goal of the Declaration is to protect the Danube from all forms of pollution in the two countries. In the words of “Plavi Dunav” environmental association from Apatin, “only through joint effort could we preserve the river polluted by shipping operations and individuals, while authorities don’t care about the problem”. ”The signatories will promote and lobby with their governments to adopt clear international regulation on border issues”, said Ljiljanka Matos-Svoboda, the Leader of the Osijek Greens, and pointed out at the importance of sooner de-mining of the Danube and its banks, as well as of the joint development of environmental awareness. Zeljko Vukovic, Chief Environmental Inspector at the Ministry of Culture, warned about the depleted fish populations in “Kopacki Rit” natural park, one of the greatest freshwater fisheries in Europe. He estimated the signing of the Declaration as an important step forward on the road to preservation of natural heritage, but also an important act of networking of the enlightened individuals and groups in the two neighbouring countries. The Declaration also provides for joint action in the establishment of an international fund for protection of the Danube River and its fisheries, as well as joining the international environmental protection associations. Journalists the cover environmental issues from Serbia and Montenegro and Croatia also participated in the meeting, together with the representatives of “Vojvodina Sume” Public Enterprise from Apatin, and representatives of Croatian Forestry and Water Management Companies from Osijek. They expressed their pleasure about the start of the joint cross-border initiative for protection of the Danube and announced their own involvement in similar projects. The SCG journalists and the Croatian Environmental Press Centre agreed to establish a regular operation of exchange of information. |
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