Greece launches National Water Strategy to advance Balkan water diplomacy

Greece has introduced a new National Water Strategy to address increasing water scarcity and promote ‘water diplomacy’ within the Balkans. Approved by the Council of Ministers on July 30, 2026, and published in the Government Gazette on August 6, 2026, the strategy marks the first national strategic document of its kind to prioritize transboundary cooperation.

Approximately 25% of Greece’s surface waters are linked to international flows. Five major river basins—Evros, Nestos, Strymonas, Axios, and Aoos—along with the Prespa Lakes system, create hydrological connections between Greece and Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, and Turkey.

The strategy recognizes that managing these shared resources is now a critical matter of foreign policy. It aims to establish a more active role for Greece through data exchange, joint management plans, and shared monitoring systems to ensure rational water distribution and combat pollution.