12.12.1997

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 342/19

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CONVENTION

on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use of the river Danube

(Convention for the protection of the Danube)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preamble

22

Part I:

General provisions

22

Article 1:

Definitions

22

Article 2:

Objectives and principles of cooperation

23

Article 3:

Scope

23

Article 4:

Forms of cooperation

24

Part II:

Multilateral cooperation

24

Article 5:

Prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact

24

Article 6:

Specific water resources protection measures

24

Article 7:

Emission limitation: water quality objectives and criteria

25

Article 8:

Emission inventories, action programmes and progress reviews

25

Article 9:

Monitoring programmes

26

Article 10:

Obligations of reporting

26

Article 11:

Consultations

27

Article 12:

Exchange of information

27

Article 13:

Protection of information supplied

27

Article 14:

Information to the public

28

Article 15:

Research and development

28

Article 16:

Communication, warning and alarm systems, emergency plans

28

Article 17:

Mutual assistance

28

Part III:

International Commission

29

Article 18:

Establishment, tasks and competences

29

Article 19:

Transition concerning the Bucharest Declaration

29

Part IV:

Procedural and final clauses

30

Article 20:

Validity of the Annexes

30

Article 21:

Existing and supplementary agreements

30

Article 22:

Conference of the Parties

30

Article 23:

Amendments to the Convention

30

Article 24:

Settlement of disputes

31

Article 25:

Signature

31

Article 26:

Ratification, acceptance or approval

31

Article 27:

Entry into force

31

Article 28:

Accession, participation

31

Article 29:

Withdrawal

31

Article 30:

Functions of the depositary

32

Article 31:

Authentic texts, depositary

32

Annex I:

...

33

Part 1:

Best available techniques

33

Part 2:

Best environmental practice

33

Annex II:

Industrial sectors and hazardous substances

35

Part 1:

List of industrial sectors and industries

35

Part 2:

Guiding list of hazardous substances and groups of substances

37

Annex III:

General guidance on water quality objectives and criteria

38

Annex IV:

Statute of the International Commission for the Protection of the River Danube

39

Annex V:

Arbitration

41

PREAMBLE

The Contracting Parties,

DETERMINED by the strong intention to intensify their water management cooperation in the field of water protection and water use;

CONCERNED over the occurrence and threats of adverse effects, in the short or long term, of changes in conditions of watercourses within the river Danube basin on the environment, economies and well-being of the Danubian States;

EMPHASIZING the urgent need for strengthened domestic and international measures to prevent, control and reduce significant adverse transboundary impact from the release of hazardous substances and of nutrients into the aquatic environment within the Danube basin with due attention also given to the Black Sea;

COMMENDING the measures already taken on the domestic initiative of Danubian countries and on the bilateral and multilateral level of their cooperation as well as the efforts already undertaken within the CSCE process, by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and by the European Community to promote the cooperation, on bilateral and multilateral levels, for the prevention and control of transboundary pollution, sustainable water management, rational use and conservation of water resources;

REFERRING in particular to the Convention on the protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes of 17 March 1992 as well as the existing bi- and multilateral cooperation among Danubian States, which will be continued and duly taken into account by the cooperation of all Danubian States, as well as pointing to the Convention on the protection of the Black Sea against pollution of 21 April 1992;

STRIVING at a lasting improvement and protection of the river Danube and of the waters within its catchment area in particular in the transboundary context and at sustainable water management taking duly into account the interests of the Danubian States in the field of water use and at the same time contributing to the protection of the marine environment of the Black Sea,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Definitions

For the purposes of this Convention:

(a)	‘Danubian States’ mean sovereign States sharing a considerable part of the hydrological catchment area of the river Danube. A considerable part is assumed to be a share exceeding 2 000 km2 of the total hydrological catchment area;

(b)	‘catchment area’ of the river Danube means the hydrological river basin as far as it is shared by the Contracting Parties;

(c)

‘transboundary impact’ means any significant adverse effect on the riverine environment resulting from a change in the conditions of waters caused by human activity and stretching out beyond an area under the jurisdiction of a Contracting Party. Such changes may affect life and property, safety of facilities and the aquatic ecosystems concerned;

(d)	‘hazardous substances’ means substances which have toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic or bioaccumulative effects, in particular those being persistent and having significant adverse impact on living organisms;

(e)	‘substances hazardous to water’ means substances the hazard potential of which to water resources is extraordinarily high so that their handling requires special preventive and protective measures;

(f)	‘point and non-point sources of water pollution’ means the sources of pollutants and nutrients the input of which to waters is caused either by locally determined discharges (point source) or by diffuse effects being widespread over the catchment areas (non-point sources);

(g)

‘water balance’ means the relationship characterizing the natural water environment of an entire river basin as to its components (precipitation, evaporation, surface and undergound run-off). In addition a component of current manmade effects originating from water use and influencing water quantity is included;

(h)

‘connecting data’ means summarized data derived from upstream water balances as far as being relevant as an input necessary for the elaboration of downstream water balances and of a general water balance for the river Danube. To this extent connecting data cover the components of the water balance for all significant transboundary waters within the catchment area of the river Danube. Connecting data refer to cross sections of transboundary waters where they mark, cross or are located on boundaries between the Contracting Parties;

(i)	‘International Commission’ means the organization established by Article 18 of this Convention.

Article 2

Objectives and principles of cooperation

1.   The Contracting Parties shall strive at achieving the goals of a sustainable and equitable water management, including the conservation, improvement and the rational use of surface waters and ground water in the catchment area as far as possible. Moreover the Contracting Parties shall make all efforts to control the hazards originating from accidents involving substances hazardous to water, floods and ice-hazards of the river Danube. Moreover they shall endeavour to contribute to reducing the pollution loads of the Black Sea from sources in the catchment area.

2.   The Contracting Parties pursuant to the provisions of this Convention shall cooperate on fundamental water management issues and take all appropriate legal, administrative and technical measures, to at least maintain and improve the current environmental and water quality conditions of the river Danube and of the waters in its catchment area and to prevent and reduce as far as possible adverse impacts and changes occurring or likely to be caused.

3.   To this end the Contracting Parties, taking into account the urgency of water pollution abatement measures and of rational, sustainable water use, shall set priorities as appropriate and shall strengthen, harmonize and coordinate measures taken and planned to be taken at the domestic and international level throughout the Danube basin aiming at sustainable development and environmental protection of the river Danube. This objective in particular is directed to ensure the sustainable use of water resources for municipal, industrial and agricultural purposes as well as the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and to cover also other requirements occurring as to public health.

4.   The polluter pays principle and the precautionary principle constitute a basis for all measures aiming at the protection of the river Danube and of the waters within its catchment area.

5.   Water management cooperation shall be oriented on sustainable water management, that means on the criteria of a stable, environmentally sound development, which are at the same time directed to:

—	maintain the overall quality of life,

—	maintain continuing access to natural resources,

—	avoid lasting environmental damage and protect ecosystems,

—	exercise preventive approach.

6.   The application of this Convention by no means shall cause any significant direct or indirect increase of impacts to the riverine environment.

7.   Each Contracting Party has the right to adopt and implement measures being more stringent than those resulting from the provisions of this Convention.

Article 3

Scope

1.   This Convention applies to the catchment area of the Danube River as definied under Article 1 (b).

2.   This Convention shall apply in particular to the following planned activities and ongoing measures as far as they cause or are likely to cause transboundary impacts:

(a)	the discharge of waste waters, the input of nutrients and hazardous substances both from point and non-point sources as well as heat discharge;

(b)

planned activities and measures in the field of water construction works, in particular regulation as well as run-off and storage level control of water courses, flood control and lice-hazards abatement, as well as the effect of facilities situated in or aside the watercourse on its hydraulic regime;

(c)	other planned activities and measures for the purposes of water use, such as water power utilization, water transfer and withdrawal;

(d)	the operation of the existing hydrotechnical constructions e.g. reservoirs and water power plants; measures to prevent environmental impact, including deterioration in the hydrological conditions, erosion, abrasion, inundation and sediment flow; measures to protect the ecosystems;

(e)	the handling of substances hazardous to water and the precautionary prevention of accidents.

3.   This Convention is applicable to issues of fishery and inland navigation as far as problems of water protection against pollution caused by these activities are concerned.

Article 4

Forms of cooperation

The forms of cooperation under this Convention as a rule are the following:

(a)	consultations and joint activities in the framework of the International Commission pursuant to the provisions of this Convention;

(b)	exchange of information on bi- and multilateral agreement, legal regulations and on measure in the field of water management; exchange of legal documents and directives and of other publications; other forms for the exchange of information and experiences.

PART II

MULTILATERAL COOPERATION

Article 5

Prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact

1.   The Contracting Parties shall develop, adopt and implement relevant legal, administrative and technical measures as well as provide for the domestic preconditions and basis required in order to ensure efficient water quality protection and sustainable water use and thereby also to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact.

2.   To this end the Contracting Parties shall separately or jointly take in particular the measures indicated below:

(a)	record conditions of natural water resources within the river Danube catchment area applying agreed quantity and quality parameters including the methodology concerned;

(b)	adopt legal provisions providing for requirements including time limits to be met by waste water discharges;

(c)	adopt legal provisions for the handling of substances hazardous to water;

(d)	adopt legal provisions for reducing inputs of nutrients or hazardous substances from non-point sources, especially for the application of nutrients as well as of plant protection agents and pesticides in agriculture;

(e)	with the aim of harmonizing these regulations at a high level of protection as well as for the harmonized implementation of corresponding measures the Contracting Parties shall take into account results and proposals put forward by the International Commission;

(f)	the Contracting Parties shall cooperate and take appropriate measures to avoid the transboundary impacts of wastes and hazardous substances in particular originating from transport.

Article 6

Specific water resources protection measures

The Contracting Parties shall take appropriate measures aiming at the prevention or reduction of transboundary impacts and at a sustainable and equitable use of water resources as well as at the conservation of ecological resources, especially:

(a)	enumerate groundwater resources subject to long-term protection as well as protection zones valuable for existing or future drinking water supply purposes;

(b)	prevent the pollution of groundwater resources, especially those in a long-term perspective reserved for drinking water supply, in particular caused by nitrates, plant protection agents and pesticides as well as other hazardous substances;

(c)	minimize by preventive and control measures the risks of accidental pollution;

(d)	take into account possible influences on the water quality resulting from planned activities and ongoing measures pursuant to Article 3 (2);

(e)	evaluate the importance of different biotope elements for the riverine ecology and propose measures for improving the acquatic and littoral ecological conditions.

Article 7

Emission limitation: water quality objectives and criteria

1.   The Contracting Parties taking into account the proposals from the International Commission shall set emission limits applicable to individual industrial sectors or industries in terms of pollution loads and concentrations and based in the best possible way on low- and non-waste technologies at source. Where hazardous substances are discharged, the emission limits shall be based on the best available techniques for the abatement at source and/or for waste water purification. For municipal waste water, emission limits shall be based on the application of at least biological or an equivalent level of treatment.

2.   Supplementary provisions for preventing or reducing the release of hazardous substances and nutrients shall be developed by the Contracting Parties for non-point sources, in particular where the main sources are originating from agriculture, taking into account the best environmental practice.

3.   For the purpose of paragraphs 1 and 2 Annex II to this Convention contains a list of industrial sectors and industries as well as an additional list of hazardous substances and groups of substances, the discharge of which from point and non-point sources shall be prevented or considerably reduced. The updating of Annex II lies with the International Commission.

4.   The Contracting Parties in addition shall, where appropriate, define water quality objectives and apply water quality criteria for the purpose of preventing, controlling and reducing transboundary impact. General guidance for this is given in Annex III, which shall be applied and specified by the Contracting Parties both, at the domestic level and jointly, where appropriate.

5.   Aiming at an efficient limitation of the emissions in areas under their jurisdiction the Contracting Parties shall ensure necessary preconditions and implementation.

They shall ensure that:

(a)	the domestic regulations for emission limitation and their level of standards imposed are harmonized step by step with the emission limitation pursuant to this Convention;

(b)	waste water discharges without exception are based on a permit imposed by the competent authorities in advance and for a limited period of validity;

(c)	regulations and permits for prevention and control measures in case of new or modernized industrial facilities, in particular where hazardous substances are involved, are oriented on the best available techniques and are implemented with high priority;

(d)	more stringent provisions than the standards — in individual cases even prohibition — are imposed, where the character of the receiving water and of its ecosystem so requires in connection with paragraph 4;

(e)	competent authorities survey that activities likely to cause transboundary impacts are carried out in compliance with the permits and provisions imposed;

(f)	environmental impact assessment in line with supranational and international regulations or other procedures for evaluation and assessment of environmental effects are applied;

(g)

when planning, licensing and implementing activities and measures as referred to in Article 3 (2) and in Article 16 (2) the competent authorities take into account risks of accidents involving substances hazardous to water by imposing preventive measures and by ordering rules of conduct for post-accident response measures.

Article 8

Emission inventories, action programmes and progress reviews

1.   The Contracting Parties shall undertake periodically inventories of the relevant point and non-point sources of pollution within the catchment are of river Danube including the prevention and abatement measures already taken for the respective discharges as well as on the actual efficiency of these measures, taking duly into account Article 5 (2) (a).

2.   Based on that the Contracting Parties shall in stages establish a list of further prevention and abatement measures to be taken step by step as far as this is necessary for reaching the objectives of this Convention.

3.   The inventory of emissions and the list of measures to be taken form the basis for developing joint action programmes to be developed by the Contracting Parties taking into account priorities set in terms of urgency and efficiency. These action programmes in particular shall be aimed at the reduction of pollution loads and concentrations both from industrial and municipal point sources as well as from non-point sources. They shall inter alia contain the prevention and abatement measures including the timing and cost estimates.

4.   In addition the Contracting Parties shall monitor the progress made in the implementation of the joint action programmes by establishing periodical progress reviews. These reviews shall contain both, the protection measures implemented and the progress made as to the riverine conditions in the light of the actual assessment.

Article 9

Monitoring programmes

On the basis of their domestic activities, the Contracting Parties shall cooperate in the field of monitoring and assessment.

1.

For this aim, they shall: — harmonize or make comparable their monitoring and assessment methods as applied on their domestic levels, in particular in the field of river quality, emission control, flood forecast and water belance, with a view to achieving comparable results to be introduced into the joint monitoring and assessment activities, — develop concerted or joint monitoring systems applying stationary or mobile measurement devices, communication and data processing facilities, — elaborate and implement joint programmes for monitoring the riverine conditions in the Danube catchment area concerning both water quality and quantity, sediments and riverine ecosystems, as a basis for the assessment of transboundary impacts such as transboundary pollution and changes of the riverine regimes as well as of water balances, flood and ice-hazards, — develop joint or harmonized methods for monitoring and assessment of waste water discharges including processing, evaluation and documentation of data taking into account the branch-specific approach of emission limitation (Annex II, Part 1), — elaborate inventories on relevant point sources including the pollutants discharged (emission inventories) and estimate the water pollution from non-point sources taking into account Annex II, Part 2; review these documents according to the actual state.

2.

In particular they shall agree upon monitoring points, river quality characteristics and pollution parameters regularly to be evaluated for the river Danube with a sufficient frequency taking into account the ecological and hydrological character of the watercourse concerned as well as typical emissions of pollutants discharged within the respective catchment area.

3.

The Contracting Parties shall establish, on the basis of a harmonized methodology, domestic water balances, as well as the general water balance of the river Danube basin. As an input for this purpose the Contracting Parties to the extent necessary shall provide connecting data which are sufficiently comparable through the application of the harmonized methology. On the same data base water balances can also be compiled for the main tributaries of the river Danube.

4.	They shall periodically assess the quality conditions of the river Danube and the progress made by their measures taken aiming at the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impacts. The results will be presented to the public by appropriate publications.

Article 10

Obligations of reporting

The Contracting Parties shall report to the International Commission on basic issues required for the Commission to comply with its tasks. These reports shall in particular involve:

(a)	reports and documents being foreseen in this Convention or requested by the Commission;

(b)	information on the existence, conclusion, amendment or withdrawal of bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties regulating the protection and water management of the river Danube and of waters within its catchment area or being relevant for questions concerned;

(c)	information on their respective laws, ordinances and other general regulations, regulating the protection and water management of the river Danube and of waters within its catchment area or being relevant for questions concerned;

(d)	communication, at the latest within an agreed delay after the International Commission has taken its decision, on the way, the time-frame and the financial expenses for implementing action-oriented decisions at the domestic level, such as recommendations, programmes and measures;

(e)	designation of competent institutions to be addressed for cooperation in the framework of this Convention by the International Commission or by other Contracting Parties;

(f)	communication on planned activities, which for reason of their character are likely to cause transboundary impacts.

Article 11

Consultations

1.   Having had a prior exchange of information the Contracting Parties involved shall at the request of one or several Contracting Parties concerned enter into consultations on planned activities as referred to in Article 3 (2), which are likely to cause transboundary impacts, as far as this exchange of information and these consultations are not yet covered by bilateral or other international cooperation. The consultations are carried out as a rule within the framework of the International Commission, with the aim of achieving a solution.

2.   Prior to a decision on planned activities the competent authorities — with the exception of pending danger — shall wait for the results of the consultations unless they are not finalized one year after their commencement at the latest.

Article 12

Exchange of information

1.   As determined by the International Commission the Contracting Parties shall exchange reasonably available data, inter alia, on:

(a)	the general conditions of the riverine environment within the catchment area of the river Danube;

(b)	experience gained in the application and operation of best available techniques and results of research and development;

(c)	emission and monitoring data;

(d)	measures taken and planned to be taken to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact;

(e)	regulations for waste water discharges;

(f)	accidents involving substances hazardous to water.

2.   In order to harmonize emission limits, the Contracting Parties shall undertake the exchange of information on their regulations.

3.   If a Contracting Party is requested by any other Contracting Party to provide data or information that is not available, the former shall endeavour to comply with the request but may condition its compliance upon the payment, by the requesting Party, of reasonable charges for collecting and, where appropriate, processing such data or information.

4.   For the purposes of the implementation of this Convention, the Contracting Parties shall facilitate the exchange of best available techniques, particularly through the promotion of: the commercial exchange of available techniques, direct industrial contacts and cooperation, including joint ventures; the exchange of information and experience; and the provision of technical assistance. The Contracting Parties shall also undertake joint training programmes and the organization of relevant seminars and meetings.

5.   The provisions of this Convention shall not affect the rights or the obligations of Contracting Parties in accordance with their domestic laws, regulations, administrative provisions or accepted legal practices and applicable international regulations to protect information related to personal data, intellectual property including industrial and commercial secrecy, or national security.

6.   If a Party nevertheless decides to supply such protected information to another Party, the Party receiving such protected information shall respect the confidentiality of the information received and the conditions under which it is supplied, and shall only use that information for the purposes for which it was supplied.

Article 13

Protection of information supplied

Insofar as pursuant to this Convention industrial and commercial secrets or other confidential pieces of information are transmitted in conformity with domestic laws, the receiving Contracting Parties shall observe the secrecy of this information by not using it for any other purposes than those stipulated in this Convention, publishing it, or making it available to third parties. In case any one Contracting Party feels unable to comply with this obligation regarding confidential information that has been transmitted to it, it shall inform the transmitting Contracting Party about it without any delay and retransmit the transmitted information. Personal data shall be transmitted to Contracting Parties in conformity with the domestic law of the transmitting Contracting Party. The receiver shall use personal data only for the purpose indicated and under the conditions specified by the transmitting side.

Article 14

Information to the public

1.   The Contracting Parties shall ensure that their competent authorities are required to make information concerning the state or the quality of riverine environment in the Danube basin available to any natural or legal person, with payment of reasonable charges, in response to any reasonable request, without that person having to prove an interest, as soon as possible.

2.   The information referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, which is held by public authorities, may be given in written, visual, oral or data-based form.

3.   The provisions of this Article shall not affect the right of Contracting Parties, in accordance with their domestic legal systems and applicable international regulations, to provide for a request for such information to be refused where it affects:

(a)	the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities, international relations and national defence;

(b)	public security;

(c)	matters which are or have been sub judice or under enquiry including disciplinary enquiries, or whihch are the subject of preliminary proceedings;

(d)	commercial and industrial confidentiality as well as intellectual property;

(e)	the confidentiality of personal data and/or files;

(f)	material supplied by a third party without that party being under a legal obligation to do so;

(g)	material, the disclosure of which would make it more likely that the environment to which such material related would be damaged.

4.   A public authority shall respond to a person requesting information as soon as possible. The reasons for a refusal to provide the information requested must be given in writing.

Article 15

Research and development

1.   To further the aims of this Convention, the Contracting Parties shall establish complementary or joint programmes of scientific or technical research and, in accordance with a procedure to be regulated by the International Commission, transmit to the Commission:

(a)	the results of such complementary, joint or other relevant research, the access to which is open for public authorities;

(b)	relevant parts of other programmes of scientific and technical research.

2.   In so doing, the Contracting Parties shall have regard to the work carried out or supported, in these fields, by the appropriate international organizations and agencies.

Article 16

Communication, warning and alarm systems, emergency plans

1.   The Contracting Parties shall provide for coordinated or joint communication, warning and alarm systems in the basin-wide context to the extent this is necessary to supplement the systems established and operated at a bilateral level. They shall consult on ways and means of harmonizing domestic communication, warning and alarm systems and emergency plans.

2.   The Contracting Parties shall in the framework of the International Commission inform each other about competent authorities or points of contact designated for this purpose in case of emergency events such as accidental pollution, other critical water conditions, floods and ice-hazards. Accordingly the competent authorities shall cooperate to establish joint emergency plans, where necessary, supplementary to existing plans on the bilateral level.

3.   If a competent authority identifies a sudden increase of hazardous substances in the river Danube or in waters within its catchment area or receives note of a disaster or of an accident likely to cause serious impact on the water quality of the river Danube and to affect downstream Danubian States this authority shall immediately inform the contact points designated and the International Commission according to the procedure introduced by the Commission.

4.   In order to control and reduce the risks originating from floods including ice-hazards, the competent authorities shall immediately inform the downstream Danubian States likely to be affected and the International Commission on the occurrence and run-off of floods as well as on forecasts of ice-hazards.

Article 17

Mutual assistance

1.   In the interest of enhanced cooperation and to facilitate compliance with obligations of this Convention; in particular where a critical situation of riverine conditions should arise, Contracting Parties shall provide mutual assistance upon the request of other Contracting Parties.

2.   The International Commission shall elaborate procedures for mutual assistance addressing, inter alia, the following issues:

(a)	the direction, control, coordination and supervision of assistance;

(b)	local facilities and services to be rendered by the Contracting Party requesting assistance, including, where necessary, the facilitation of border-crossing formalities;

(c)	arrangements for compensating the assisting Contracting Party and/or its personnel, as well as for transit through territories of third Contracting Parties, where necessary;

(d)	methods of reimbursing assistance services.

PART III

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION

Article 18

Establishment, tasks and competences

1.   With a view to implementing the objectives and provisions of this Convention the International Commission for the Protection of the river Danube, referred to in this Convention as International Commission, shall be established. The Contracting Parties shall cooperate in the framework of the International Commission. For implementing the obligations of the Contracting Parties pursuant to Articles 1 to 18, the International Commission elaborates proposals and recommendations addressed to the Contracting Parties.

2.   The structure and the procedures of the International Commission as well as its competences are stipulated in detail in Annex IV to this Convention constituting the Statute of the Commission.

3.   In addition to affairs explicitly entrusted to it the International Commission is competent to deal with all other affairs the Commission is entrusted with by mandate from the Contracting Parties in the framework of Article 3 of this Convention.

4.   The implementation of decisions taken by the International Commission is supported through the obligations of the Contracting Parties for reporting to the Commission pursuant to Article 10 as well as through the provisions of this Convention concerning the domestic basis and implementation of the multilateral cooperation.

5.   The International Commission reviews experience acquired implementing this Convention and as appropriate submits proposals to the Contracting Parties concerning amendments or additions to this Convention or prepares the basis for elaborating further regulations on the protection and water management of the river Danube and of waters within its catchment area.

6.   The International Commission decides on the cooperation with international and national organizations or with other bodies, which are engaged or interested in the protection and water management of the river Danube and of waters within its catchment area or in general questions of water protections and water management. This cooperation is directed to enhancing coordination and to avoiding duplication.

Article 19

Transition concerning the Bucharest Declaration

Works as performed by the Contracting Parties in the framework of the Declaration on the cooperation of the Danubian countries on problems of the Danubian water management, in particular for the protection of the river Danube against pollution, signed on 13 December 1985 (Bucharest Declaration), by the working groups on water quality, flood information and forecast and water balance are transferred to the framework of this Convention.

PART IV

PROCEDURAL AND FINAL CLAUSES

Article 20

Validity of the Annexes

Subject to Article 23, the Annexes I to V form integral of this Convention.

Article 21

Existing and supplementary agreements

The Contracting Parties on the basis of equality and reciprocity shall adapt existing bilateral or multilateral agreements or other arrangements, where necessary to eliminate contradictions with basic principles of this Convention, and shall enter into supplementary agreements or other arrangements where appropriate.

Article 22

Conference of the Parties

1.   The Contracting Parties shall meet upon recommendation by the International Commission.

2.   At such meetings the Contracting Parties shall in particular review policy issues concerning the implementation of this Convention upon the report of the International Commission and shall adopt appropriate recommendations or decisions.

3.   The Contracting Party whose head of delegation acts as president of the International Commission shall also play the part of the chairperson of such meetings.

4.   The conference of the Parties is competent to pass recommendations or decisions provided that after regular invitation the delegations from at least three quarters of all Contracting Parties are present. Unless otherwise provided in this Convention, the conference of the Parties shall make every effort to reach agreement by consensus. Should consensus not be attainable, the chairperson shall declare that all efforts at reaching agreement by consensus have been exhausted. After such an announcement a recommendation or decision shall be adopted by a four-fifths majority of the Contracting Parties present and voting.

5.   The decision shall become binding on the first day of the 11th month following the date of its adoption for all Contracting Parties that voted for it and have not within that period notified the Executive Secretary in writing that they are unable to accept the decision. However, such notification may be withdrawn at any time; the withdrawal shall become effective upon receipt by the Executive Secretary. Such a decision shall become binding on any other Contracting Party which has notified the Executive Secretary in writing that it is able to accept the decision from the moment of the receipt of that notification or on the first day of the 11th month following the date of the adoption of the decision, whichever is later.

6.   If, however, the recommendation or decision would have financial implications, the recommendation or decision shall be adopted only by consensus.

Article 23

Amendments to the Convention

The Convention shall be amended as follows:

1.	Any Contracting Party may propose an amendment to this Convention. The text of the proposed amendment together with the proposal to convene a conference of the Parties shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties by the depositary in writing.

2.	If at least three quarters of the Contracting Parties support the proposal to convene a conference of the Parties, the depositary shall convene the conference of the Parties within six months at the seat of the International Commission.

3.	The adoption of an amendment at the conference of the Contracting Parties requires consensus.

4.	The adopted amendment shall be submitted by the depositary government to the Contracting Parties for ratification, acceptance or approval. Ratification, acceptance or approval of the amendment shall be notified to the depositary government in writing.

5.

The amendment shall enter into force for those Contracting Parties which have ratified, accepted or approved it on the 30th day after receipt by the depositary government of notification of its ratification, acceptance or approval by at least four fifths of the Contracting Parties. Thereafter the amendment shall enter into force for any other Contracting Party on the 30th day after that Contracting Party has deposited its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of the amendment.

6.	Annexes I, II and III may be amended by the International Commission in accordance with Article 5 of its Statute.

Article 24

Settlement of disputes

1.   If a dispute arises between two or more Contracting Parties about the interpretation or application of this Convention, they shall seek a solution by negotiation or by any other means of dispute settlement acceptable to the parties to the dispute, if appropriate with assistance by the International Commission.

2.

(a) If the parties to the dispute are not able to settle the dispute in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article within a reasonable time but not more than 12 months after the International Commission has been notified about the dispute by a party to the dispute, the dispute shall be submitted for compulsory decision to one of the following means of peaceful settlement: — the International Court of Justice, — arbitration in accordance with Annex V to this Convention. (b) when ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention or at any time thereafter a Contracting Party may declare in writing to the depositary that, for a dispute not resolved in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, it accepts one or both means of dispute settlement referred to in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph; (c) if the parties to the dispute have accepted both means of dispute settlement referred to in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph the dispute shall be submitted to the International Curt of Justice, unless the parties agree otherwise; (d) if the parties to the dispute have not accepted the same means of dispute settlement referred to in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, the dispute shall be submitted to the arbitration; (e) a Contracting Party which has not made a declaration in accordance with subparagraph (b) of this paragraph or whose declaration is no longer in force is considered to have accepted the arbitration.

Article 25

Signature

This Convention shall be open for signature by the Danubian States fully entitled to the rights and privileges of membership in the United Nations according to the UN Charter as well as by the European Community and any other regional economic integration organization, to which such States as their members have transferred competence over matters governed by this Convention at Sofia on 29 June 1994.

Article 26

Ratification, Acceptance or approval

This Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. The instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Government of Romania which shall act as the depositary of this Convention.

Article 27

Entry into force

This Convention shall enter into force on the 90th day following the date of deposit of the ninth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. For each State or regional economic integration organization ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention after the deposit of the ninth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, this Convention shall enter into force on the 90th day after deposit by such State or regional economic integration organization of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Article 28

Accession, participation

1.   A State or regional economic integration organization as referred to in Article 25 of this Convention, which has not signed this Convention may accede to this Convention. The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the depositary.

2.   Contracting Parties may unanimously invite any other State or regional economic integration organization to accede to this Convention or to participate in it with a consultative status.

Article 29

Withdrawal

At any time after five years from the date on which this Convention has come into force with respect to a Party, that Party may withdraw from this Convention by written notification to the depositary. Any such withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of the receipt of the notification by the depositary.

Article 30

Functions of the depositary

The depositary government shall perform the functions of depositary of this Convention, in particular, the depositary shall inform the Contracting Parties:

(a)	of the deposit of indtruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, of withdrawel or of any other information, declarations and instruments as are provided for in this Convention;

(b)	of the date of the entry into force of this Convention.

Article 31

Authentic texts, depositary

The original of this Convention, of which the English and German texts shall be equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Government of Romania which shall send certified copies thereof to the Contracting Parties.

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