The Water Management and Hydrometeorology Sub-committee of the Hungarian-Romanian Water Management Committee held its annual meeting in Târgu Mure?, Romania, from November 10 to 13, 2025.
Hungary is a downstream country compared to Romania, so it is heavily dependent on Romania. This is why transboundary cooperation between the two countries is so important.
The transboundary water relations between Hungary and Romania are based on an intergovernmental agreement signed in 2003. The cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Hungary and the Government of Romania aims at the protection and sustainable use of border waters. Water management cooperation is partly determined by the geographical location of Romania and Hungary (upstream and downstream countries), common interests, and professional objectives. In order to achieve their professional goals, the Parties have established various regulations, on the basis of which experts coordinate meteorological, hydrological, hydrographic and water quality data and inform each other if a critical situation arises on the system of common transboundary waters. It is important to exchange data from transboundary hydrographic stations and to monitor processes continuously.
The results of the sub-committee meeting include an agreement on the standardization of data documentation for the exchange of sub-surface water data, as well as progress on Hungary’s request for the exchange of hydrographic data with Romania offering to include two new stations in the relevant regulations.
This year, both countries were affected by drought, and experts have developed studies to mitigate its effects, which could form the basis for future joint projects.
The two countries strive for good cooperation in preparing for changes affecting water management and in solving any problems that arise.
Written by Katalin Szabó, International Department, General Directorate of Water Management, Béla Lukács (Head of Sub-committee, Körös Valley District Water Directorate) and Jenő Lábdy (Head of International Department, General Directorate of Water Management)
Photo by Zoárd Marosi (Head of Department, Trans-Tisza Region Water Directorate)