They w'ere developed according to EU standards, and are therefore mostly consistent with them. The most important water-related outcomes of the Midterm Development Strategy were the transformation of the water management institutions from public companies at the municipal level to water management agencies, including local offices at the entity level, implementation of the new water laws including sublaws, and harmonization of guidance, rulebooks and standards. Given that the previous strategy expired in 2007 and although preparation of a follow-up strategy is in progress, there is a policy discontinuity in this important area.