5 November 2014: Negotiations recently concluded on a bilateral technical protocol between Belarus and Lithuania on transboundary water cooperation in the Neman River Basin. The negotiations were facilitated by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as a component of the project ‘River Basin Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Neman Basin.’

The protocol, which was concluded from 30-31 October 2015, will result in the creation of a river basin commission and will facilitate information exchange and development of joint or coordinated national river basin management plans. The protocol is expected to facilitate implementation of aspects of both the EU Water Framework Directive and the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UNECE Water Convention). The protocol will be subject to consultations at the EU and national levels, with signature expected in 2015. The Neman River basin is shared by Belarus, Lithuania, Russia and Poland. [UNECE Press Release]