Convention for the protection of the Danube

SUMMARY OF:

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

Decision 97/825/EC concerning the conclusion of the convention on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use of the river Danube

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION AND THE DECISION?

The convention aims to ensure cooperation on transboundary water management in the Danube River Basin and, in so doing, to ensure that surface waters and groundwater within the basin are managed and used sustainably and equitably.
The decision approves the convention on behalf of the European Union (EU).

KEY POINTS

Objectives

The convention has a number of goals:

achieving sustainable and equitable water management, including — as far as possible — the conservation, improvement and rational use of surface waters and groundwater in the catchment area;
controlling the hazards originating from accidents involving substances hazardous to water, floods and ice hazards of the river;
reducing the pollution loads of the Black Sea from sources in the catchment area.

Cooperation

The parties agree to cooperate on fundamental water management issues and to take measures to:
- maintain and improve the current environmental and water quality conditions of the river and the waters in its catchment area,
- prevent and reduce, as far as possible, adverse impacts and changes occurring or likely to occur.
The parties must set priorities and strengthen, harmonise and coordinate measures at the domestic level and the international level.
The convention establishes the ‘polluter pays’ and ‘precautionary’ principles as the basis for protecting the river and the surrounding areas.
The convention sets out rules for multilateral cooperation in a number of areas, including:
- prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact;
- specific water source protection measures;
- emissions limitations.

Scope

The convention applies to the catchment area of the Danube River as defined in the convention. In particular, it applies to certain planned activities and ongoing measures that cause or are likely to cause transboundary impacts:

the discharge of waste waters, the input of nutrients and hazardous substances, and heat discharge;
planned activities and measures in water infrastructure work;
other planned activities and measures for water use, such as water power utilisation and water transfer and withdrawal;
the operation of the existing hydrotechnical infrastructure such as reservoirs and water power plants, and measures to prevent environmental impact and protect ecosystems;
the handling of substances hazardous to water and the precautionary prevention of accidents.

The convention applies to fishery and inland navigation issues in the context of pollution caused by such activities.

International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

The convention establishes the ICPDR to implement its aims and rules.

The ICPDR also facilitates cooperation:

between the Danube River Basin countries and the Black Sea region where coordination is required;
with other international organisations;
on other and new water management challenges.

The ICPDR members, including non-EU countries, are committed to implementing the EU’s Water Framework Directive — Directive 2000/60/EC (see summary).

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The Convention entered into force on 22 October 1998.

BACKGROUND

Water (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Convention on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use of the river Danube (Convention for the protection of the Danube) (OJ L 342, 12.12.1997, pp. 19–43).

Council Decision 97/825/EC of 24 November 1997 concerning the conclusion of the Convention on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use of the river Danube (OJ L 342, 12.12.1997, p. 18).