Ukrainian plans to open a new ship canal through the ecologically-sensitive Danube later this month prompted criticism Wednesday from both Brussels and neighbouring Romania. The controversial project, begun this May and due to open on Thursday, includes a deepening of the existing Bystroye channel of the Danube river where it enters into the Black Sea, and the construction of a new canal some 50 kilometres long. Expressing its "deep regret" the European Commission said: "The canal route goes through a specially protected UNESCO World Heritage area in the Danube Delta which is also subject to the international Ramsar Convention on the protection of wetlands." Outgoing Commission President Romano Prodi had earlier asked Ukraine to halt work on the canal pending a full assessment. The canal's scheduled opening Thursday is some two months earlier than the originally forecast completion date. In a meeting in July with Ukrainian leaders, Prodi and external relations Commissioner Chris Patten had already highlighted "the lack of a comprehensive environmental impact assessment for the construction project," according to officials in Brussels. --MORE 2238 Local Time 1938 GMT
