Bulgaria-Greece Water Pact: A Lifeline for Mediterranean Farmers

After lengthy negotiations, Bulgaria and Greece reached a five-year water agreement, easing Greek farmers' concerns over crop irrigation. The deal replaces a six-decade pact, highlighting Mediterranean water scarcity due to climate change. Bulgaria will annually release water to Greece, based on its own needs, as Greek infrastructure upgrades are required.

Following extended discussions, Bulgaria and Greece have signed a five-year water agreement, as confirmed by the Bulgarian foreign ministry on Wednesday, allaying Greek farmers' fears regarding crop irrigation.

The new agreement, which succeeds a 60-year-old pact that lapsed last July, emphasizes the increased fragility of water supplies in the Mediterranean amid climate change challenges. The negotiation deadlock had worried farmers in Greece's Evros region, who had taken to tractor blockades in January to press for a resolution. The deal has stirred controversy in Bulgaria, with opposition alleging a free giveaway of strategic resources.

On May 2, foreign ministers from the neighboring countries endorsed a declaration which stipulates that Bulgaria will release water from the River Arda to irrigate 50,000 acres of Greece's Evros plain. The water release will be determined annually post an assessment of Bulgaria's needs, as communicated by the Bulgarian foreign ministry to Reuters. Despite wishing for a longer tenure, Greek farmers have welcomed the agreement.

(With inputs from agencies.)