POLITIKA UPRAVLJANJA VODAMA U EUROPSKOJ UNIJI I ODRŽIVI PROMET RIJEKAMA/ WATER MANAGEMENT POLICYIN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT ON RIVERS

Abstract

Although the European continent is rich in waters they are still restricted natural  resource subject to contamination. Rivers in Europe are more or less polluted, but states are mainly consentedthat their pollution should be stopped. When using waters it is necessary to achieve balance between using of water for various activities, their protection and preservation for future generations. Basic principles of sustainable water management policy in the EU are set out in Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (EU Water Framework Directive) whose provisions will be analysed in this paper.Europe has developed network of inland waterways, and inrecent years the EU is trying to redirect transport as much as possible to rivers and canals. However, inland waterway navigation as well as the necessary infrastructure areconnected with hydromorphological changes and pollution. It is necessary to harmonize development of inland waterway transport with water protection and principles of sustainable development, along with principles of sustainable transport. Coordinated adoption of strategies for inland waterways navigation and river basin management plans is one of the solutions.Water protection should be integrated into other policies, in order to achieve the objectives set out in the EU Water Framework Directive.