Cross-Border Water Agreements of Hungary in Connection with Excess Inland Water Protection

Abstract

Due to the natural conditions and vulnerability to water damages of Hungary, the magnitude of the protection system is unique, which crosses national borders. In order to protect Hungary against water damage, cross-border cooperation is extremely important which is based on the nearly 100-year-old water agreements with our neighbouring countries. In recent years, the countries have made significant interventions on the cross-border river basins changing natural surface runoff conditions. Ensuring water demand to create a good ecological status by WDF (Water-Framework Directive) and also the need to share natural water resources is becoming highly important, especially to mitigate the effects of climate change. This process is reinforced by various international conventions which also has an impact on the current cross-border water agreements.