International negotiations of water corridor Danube-Oder-Elbe 

Mgr. Katarína Koleničková - Department of Water Transportation, Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic

In terms of long-term development of waterways in the Czech Republic is a major aim of the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with other ministries to ensure conditions for a future implementation of a multipurpose water corridor Danube-Oder-Elbe.

In connection with the processing of major land-use planning document, "Land Development Policy of the Czech Republic by 2008, the Ministry environment triggered a broad debate on the appropriateness of maintaining the territorial protection, drawn-out since 2008 until approval of the Government Resolution of 20 July 2009 No. 929 on the territorial development policy of the Czech Republic, 2008, showing for the Ministry for Regional Development to preserve, organize and implement, in cooperation with the ministers of transport and environmental protection of the existing territorial corridor Danube-Oder-Elbe until the government's decision on further action and submit to the government proposal to 31.12.2009 the way of additional protection. At this point there was a subsequent shift. Government Resolution of 24 May 2010 No. 368 was approved by the territorial protection of the territorial reserve (similar spatial arrangements of the building enclosure). This form of territorial protection will apply until the Government's decision on further action.

The above-mentioned resolution of the Government Ministry of Transport was ordered to examine the necessity in question průplavního connection at the international level by discussing with the neighboring States, the European Commission and the signatories to the Agreement of AGN in order to assess the full European context the issue of its possible implementation, the transmission efficiency and investment performance of individual branches and inform the Government of Republic of the outcome by the end of 2010.

In accordance with this resolution of the Government Ministry of Transport held a number of international negotiations with the Ministry of Infrastructure Poland. On the last one, held on 27 - 28 April 2010, the Polish side also informed about the state of the infrastructure works Oder waterway under the "Odra 2006", which aims among other things, increase class waterways sub-sections of the Oder. Schedule of further work and updating of the "Odra 2006" will be further discussed with the Czech side in the Joint Working Group "DOE".

At the end of the meeting was officially signed by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Dr.. Mgr. Paul Škvára, Polish Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Ms. Anna Wypych Namiontko and president Leszek KZGW Karwowskim, an addendum to the Memorandum of Cooperation on preparation for implementation of Odra waterway of 12 April 2000. This addendum is also reactivated the previous work of Czech-Polish working group "eye" (Oder Kožlí - Ostrava), which is renamed the Working Group, "DOE" (Danube-Oder-Elbe). Both delegations have agreed that the negotiations are still near the working group will take place no later than 31 July 2010. The Czech side has already prepared this session.

Signing ceremony of Supplement to the Memorandum of cooperation in the preparation of implementation of Oder waterway by Deputy Minister of Transport, Dr.. Mgr. Pavel Škvára, Polish Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Ms. Anna Wypych Namiontko and president KZGW Leszek Karwowskim from the Polish Ministry of the Environment.

Another meeting was held with the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany 24 March 2010 in Berlin. The Czech side proposed to the German delegation the possibility of submitting a joint request by the European Commission concerning the financial contribution to process analytical studies to assess the transport, economic, water supply benefits and environmental impacts. German party, led by Director General of Section Mr. Klingenem waterways, said that given that she said any construction průplavního link directly affect land-use and there is not obvious importance of this connection for the implementation of inland waterways in relation to and from Germany , does not currently interested in participating in the specification and processing of such studies. But it promised to deliver if necessary, appropriate statistical and technical data, as well as the possibility of utilization of scientific water management institutes in Germany.

25 May 2010 meeting was held with the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology, Austria, after the urgency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vienna. Negotiations for the Czech side of the Deputy Minister of Transport database. Mgr. Paul Škvára and Head of the Austrian delegation was Mrs. Claudia black face, the Cabinet Deputy Federal Minister of Transport of Austria. Austria party said that the issue of any construction of multi-link průplavního Danube-Oder-Elbe is a very sensitive issue in Austria. Territory, which would be the construction of DOE corridor in some variants in Austria could touch, is included in the system of protected areas NATURA 2000, while it is a protected area within the meaning of the Austrian national legislation.

Furthermore, the Austrian delegation noted that it is not yet completed the final selection of options for the possible construction of a connection Danube-Oder-Elbe in Austria, because there is currently defending ensured the route for this connection. It should also be taken into account that due to limited financial resources, which are for construction and modernization of infrastructure for inland navigation in Austria are available, is a clear priority for further improvement of the Danube waterway and canal links the Danube-Oder-Elbe is part of a plan to transport routes 2013. The Austrian side, however, if necessary, provide the basis for the study described by the Czech side, which covers issues related průplavního Danube-Oder-Elbe, although its direct involvement in the implementation of this study to the above reasons does not count.

In agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was 21 April 2010 sent to the Director General of the Directorate General for Transport and Mobility (DG MOVE), the European Commission, Mr Ruete letter with information relating to the intention of the Danube-Oder-Elbe with the States and plan treatment of the common analytical studies to assess the transport, economic, water supply benefits and environmental impacts . At the same time, Mr. Ruete was asked about the communication conditions for the possible acquisition of a financial contribution from the European Commission to enter the study or the communication possibilities to enter this study by the EU Commission. Along with the letter was sent to the design of certain specific issues, agreed with Poland and Slovakia, which should address the study.