At a conference of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), on the topic of “ Diplomacy and water cooperation“, Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Kristian Vigenin highlighted the need for the European Union to develop an ambitious strategy that would place water resources management at the centre of European diplomacy, sustainable development policies and climate adaptation. The occasion for the event was the presentation of a report on the topic, prepared by Bulgarian EESC member Milena Angelova.
“Water is the most natural connecting element between peoples, ecosystems and regions, but in our century it is also becoming a border between scarcity and abundance, between cooperation and conflict,“ said Vigenin. “ Water diplomacy is no longer a peripheral issue, but a fundamental tool for peace, climate resilience and justice“, he added.
“Europe must transform water diplomacy into a tool for peace and sustainable development. Closer coordination between environmental, migration and foreign affairs policies is needed. The European Union must take the lead in efforts for fair and sustainable management of water resources - from the Danube to the Mediterranean, from the Nile to Central Asia. Only through science, solidarity and cooperation can we turn water into a source of stability and justice“, Vigenin stressed.
Christian Vigenin drew attention to an EESC report, according to which Europe lacks clear criteria and a legal framework for people forced to migrate due to climate change: “Climate-driven mobility is not chaos - it is an attempt at survival. Europe must build policies that recognize and protect people displaced by droughts, floods and adverse climate conditions,“ he stressed.
Vigenin proposed the creation of a European Observatory for Water Risks and Climate Mobility, which would unite the European Environment Agency, the Copernicus system, Eurostat, international partnerships such as the UN Water Convention. According to him, this would allow for early prediction of risks, more effective targeting of investments and support for the most vulnerable regions.
The MEP insisted that water security should become part of the EU's Common Foreign and Defense Policy, the European Green Deal, the Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture and Energy, Migration Policy and International Development.
“Water is not just a resource — it is a human right and a common heritage,“ he also said.
As a representative of a country along the Danube, Vigenin highlighted the opportunity for Bulgaria to contribute actively through cross-border programmes in the Danube and Black Sea regions, cooperation in river basin management and the participation of the scientific and expert community.
“Water diplomacy is not only diplomacy for conflict prevention — it is diplomacy for a common future,“ said the MEP. “Water is the first victim of climate change, but also the first potential mediator of peace,“ he added.
Christian Vigenin thanked his colleagues from the ENI and all the participants in the forum who are working for a more sustainable and fair Europe: Stefano Palmieri, President of the “External Relations“ Section of the EESC (REX), Pernille Weiss-Eller, representative of the Cabinet of Commissioner Jessica Roswall, experts Tony Agota, EU Special Envoy for Climate and Environment, Mark Zaitun, Director General of the Geneva Water Hub, and Saule Ospanova from the OSCE.
For contact with the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP: https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/
