Transboundary River Basins: Basic Principles for Solving the Problems of Interstate Cooperation

Abstract

The characteristics of the basic principles for solving the problems of interstate cooperation in transboundary river basins are presented. It is shown that, in order to solve problems, it is necessary to have an idea of the patterns of functioning of these complexes under different economic policies of the states engaged in water use. Based on the long-term practices of interstate interaction, it is noted that the more states there are intersecting a transboundary watercourse, the more difficult it is to implement measures of integrated water resource management. The main factors of the occurrence and exacerbation of water use conflicts in transboundary river basins are identified. An analysis of the institutional and legal formats of interaction between states and water users has been carried out. The predominance of bilateral agreements and the lack of interest in the development of universal multilateral treaties are noted. From the standpoint of structural and functional integrity, the expediency of considering transboundary river basins from the standpoint of the basin principle is substantiated. It is concluded that, under conditions of significant anthropogenic fragmentation of transboundary river basins, a quasi-integral natural–social geosystem of the regional level is formed. It is noted that, taking into account the complexity and inconsistency of the “transboundary river basin” category, a universal approach is needed for solving the problems of interstate interactions that makes it possible to combine the basic principles (limnological, institutional–legal, and basin principle) into a single conceptual model. Such tasks can be successfully solved through implementing the main provisions of a systematic approach, the application of which will make it possible to determine the individual characteristics of a transboundary basin and synthesize them into a single whole, develop integrated water resource management schemes, coordinate joint actions of water-user states, and move from the private solutions of problems of interstate interaction to complex problems.