After months of negotiation, Greece and Bulgaria have finalized a new five-year water agreement just before the summer irrigation season, providing much-needed relief for Greek farmers in the Evros region. The deal, signed on 2 May 2025, replaces a 60-year water-sharing agreement dating back to World War Two reparations, which expired in July 2024. The new accord ensures the release of water from Bulgaria’s River Arda into northern Greece to support agriculture across 50,000 acres. The annual volume of water released will be determined each year based on Bulgaria’s domestic needs.
