Round table within the eWAM Project – The EU Water Framework Directive –

Within the project “Environmentally friendly water management in plane areas“ being financed by the European Union under the Hungary – Serbia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme, a round table on t

Within the project “Environmentally friendly water management in plane areas“ being financed by the European Union under the Hungary – Serbia IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme, a round table on the EU Water Framework Directive was organised by the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina on 26th May 2014. The project that contributes to a great extent to the sustainable management of water resources and has strategic importance not only for AP Vojvodina, but also for the Republic of Serbia, is slowly entering its final phase.

The event was opened by Siniša Lazić, Director of the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina. The presentation started with the results of eWAM project indicating that the majority of the planned project activities (the dredging of the Jegrička watercourse and the Kurca channel in Hungary, sampling of water and sludge quality before, during and after the dredging) had been implemented. The professors of the Faculty of Sciences, the Department for Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Protection presented the EU Water Framework Directive. Prof. Milena Bečelić-Tomin PhD emphasised that Serbia had already contributed to the practical implementation of the Water Framework Directive, being an active participant in the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, whereas further contribution would be made by means of water management plans. Prof. Srđan Rončević PhD said that it was important to identify the need for dredging when there was a great risk for environmental protection and health, while Prof. Božo Dalmacija PhD pointed out the pollutants that presented serious hazard to the water environment, as well as the measures for their progressive reduction. Doc. Dejan Krčmar PhD held a presentation on the monitoring of surface water and sediment. Among the speakers at the round table were also the representatives of the water management company ATI-VIZIG from Szeged who presented the EU Water Framework Directive in relation to the eWAM project and examples of flood protection in the Lower Tisza District.

The round table was aimed at not only dissemination, but also assistance in the implementation of the water management legislation of the Republic of Serbia which was to a great extent complementary to the EU legislation.