According to data from Romania's Transport Ministry, the investigations carried out along Danube Delta's canals confirmed that the dredging works on the Bystroye canal, initially suspected of causing environmental problems because of their magnitude, were mere maintenance works.

According to sources within the ministry quoted by Hotnews.ro, the works were aimed at removing the silt accumulated in recent years, restoring the depths that were recorded as a reference time when the dispute between Romania and Ukraine on the deepening of Bystroye canal began almost twenty years ago.

The scandal broke on February 15, after Sorin Grindeanu, deputy prime minister and minister of transport, said that "there are signals that at the moment Ukraine is doing works to dredge the Bystroye canal, this being able to have an impact on the environment and the Danube Delta". The conflicting information provided by Ukrainian officials fueled the scandal.

iulian@romania-insider.com

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