Ukrainian press: Romania modifies the structure of  Danube's Chilia branch

Significant quantities of sand fall on the Chilia Branch of the Danube Delta as Romania conducts its works in an attempt to deepen the navigation channel on its territory can modify the structure of the water flux where the Ukrainian – Romanian border is, Ukrainian daily Zerkalo Nedeli reads in an article, concluding that Romania’s actions can decrease Ukraine’s territory.

Quoting their own sources, the publication reads that a big part of the sand falls on the Chilia Branch forming a patch of dry land on the branch. Ukrainian journalists argue that satellite photos reveal that in 2003 the patch of land did not exist while in 2006 its dimension increased to 4,300 sq meters and in August 2008 its dimension was 20,000 sq meters.

In this context Ukraine submitted a complaint to the committee in charge with the implementation of the Espoo Convention, the scene of Bistroe Channel confrontations. According to quoted sources, Ukraine urges Romania to clean up the Chilia branch – where the border is – of the patch of land. Ukrainian authorities announced their availability to help.