Ukraine and Moldova will create a joint commission to analyze ecological risks of building hydroelectric power plants on the Dniester River, Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip said at a briefing on Monday in Kyiv with Ukrainian PM Volodymyr Groysman.

"We agreed to great a joint commission, which will conduct an exhaustive study. We will also ask our partners in the European Union to help predict the effects and their impact on the ecosystem," Filip said.

The Moldovan PM said the Dniester is the source of drinking water for Chisinau, as well as for a number of Ukrainian cities, including Odesa.

Groysman, in turn, said the project could only be launched after the analysis.

"Of course, there must be a serious ecological study. Only after this can plans for construction be drawn up," Groysman said.

As earlier reported, Moldova has expressed concerns about building hydroelectric power plants on Dniester River.

The Public Joint-Stock Company Ukrhydroenergo in December 2016 announced a tender for preparations to draft the technical-economic basis for the construction of six hydroelectric power plants.