Cooperation between the water sector and forest sector at national and at regional level is a prerequisite for tackling the challenges of integrated water resources management and sustainable rural development. The current lack of cooperation

between the forest sector and the water sector in the South Eastern European Region is hampering sustainable development and approximation to the European Union.

The following study presents information about why cooperation is needed,

assesses the current status of cooperation, identifies the impediments to enhance cooperation and presents a proposal for the establishment of a functional network or Commission to improve the cooperation between the two sectors in the region.