1948 베오그라드조약 이시우 2006/05/11 720

http://www.danubecom-intern.org/ENGLISH/SUMMARY.htm

Updated 11.01.2006

The Convention regarding the Regime of Navigation on the Danube signed in Belgrade on 18 August 1948 is the international legal instrument governing navigation on the Danube. The so-called Belgrade Convention is providing for free navigation on the Danube in accordance with the interests and sovereign rights of the Contracting Parties of the Convention aiming thereby at strengthening the economic and cultural relations among themselves and with other nations.

According to the Convention, the 11 Member States Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro undertake to maintain their sections of the Danube in a navigable condition for river-going and, on the appropriate sections, for sea-going vessels and to carry out the works necessary for the maintenance and improvement of navigation conditions and not to obstruct or hinder navigation on the navigable channels of the Danube.

As a consequence of the socio-economic changes in the countries of Central- and Eastern Europe, and following the introduction of sanctions by the UN Security Council against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the volume of transport dropped dramatically. Now, that these difficulties are over, the overall transport of goods on the Danube is recovering quickly and absorbing an essential part of the steadily growing exchange between Eastern and Western Europe. The opening of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal between N?nberg and Kelheim on September 21, 1992 and the creation of a trans-European waterway from Rotterdam to Sulina on the Black Sea (3500 km) have also contributed to the resumption of river traffic, especially on the upper sectors of the Danube River.

In the framework of a close co-operation, special attention is given by the Member States to constantly improving technical and legal conditions of navigation for the vessels of all nations.

As a consequence, vessels flying flags of over 30 countries have been registered on the Danube.

The Danube Commission, which consists of the representatives of the Member States – one for each – has been established to supervise the implementation of the 1948 Convention and to fulfill various other tasks aiming at ensuring adequate conditions for shipping on the Danube. It goes, historically speaking, back to the Paris Conferences of 1856 and 1921 which established for the first time an international regime to safeguard free navigation on the Danube.

Matters concerning the Commission’s statute are regulated by the Convention on its privileges and immunities, which came into force in January 1964.

Twice a year, the Commission holds its ordinary sessions and if necessary, the Commission may hold extraordinary sessions. The Commission regularly convenes groups of experts of the Danube countries for the consideration of items provided for in the Commission’s working plans.

The primary tasks entering the Commission’s competence consist of:

- supervising the implementation of the Convention’s provisions;

- preparing a general plan of the main works called for in the interest of navigation on the basis of proposals and projects presented by the Member States and the Special River Administrations and, likewise drawing up an evaluation of the costs of such works;

- consulting with, and making recommendations to the Member States in respect of the execution of the above mentioned works, with due consideration of the technical and economic interests, plans and possibilities of the respective States;

- consulting with, and making recommendations to the Special River Administrations and exchanging information with them;

- establishing a uniform system of traffic regulations on the whole navigable portion of the Danube and, taking into account the specific conditions of various sections of the river, laying down the basic provisions governing navigation on the Danube, including those governing the pilot service;

- unifying the regulations governing river, customs and sanitary inspection;

- harmonizing regulations on inland navigation with the European Union and the Central Commission for the Navigation on the Rhine;

- coordinating the activity of hydro-meteorological services on the Danube, and publishing short-term and long-term hydrologic forecasts for the Danube;

- collecting statistical data on aspects of navigation on the Danube within the Commission’s competence;

- publishing reference works, sailing directions, nautical charts and atlases for purposes of navigation.

The official languages of the Commission are German, French and Russian.

The Commission elects from among its members, a President, a Vice-President and a Secretary for a term of three years; since 2005 Ambassador Milovan Bo엍novič (Serbia and Montenegro); Ambassador Ernő Keskeny (Hungary); Ambassador Yurii Mushka (Ukraine).

The Commission has a Secretariat the activity of which contributes to the implementation of the tasks provided for in art.8 of the 1948 Convention regarding the Regime of Navigation on the Danube and set forth in the Commission’s working plans. The Director General is Captain Danail Nedialkov (Bulgaria) who is in charge of the Secretariat of the Danube Commission composed of a staff of 11 international civil servants and 19 employees.

The Danube Commission is co-operating on a large scale with various international organizations such as the European Union, the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the World Meteorological Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses, the Central Commission for the Navigation on the Rhine, the Oder Commission, the International Maritime Organization, and others.

The Danube Commission has undertaken the study of a number of problems concerning navigation on the Danube in connection with the creation of an all-European system of inland navigation. The Danube Commission is actively working in order to fulfill the Declaration on European Inland Waterways and Transport adopted by the Ministerial Conference on the most timely issues of European inland waterway transport (Budapest, September 11, 1991), as well as the Declaration of the Rotterdam Conference on Accelerating Pan-European Co-operation Towards a Free and Strong Inland Waterway Transport of 5-6 September, 2001.

The Danube Commission has prepared and published in its official languages over 350 works dealing with various matters relating to navigation on the Danube.

Since the blockade of the Danube by the debris of three bridges destroyed in April 1999 as a result of the military actions in the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Danube Commission has taken measures to restore free navigation on the Danube. The project 밅learance of the Fairway of the Danube?at the cost of 26 million euro was set up at the beginning of the year 2000 with the financial aid of the European Union contributing 85% of the total sum. The remaining 15% consist of contributions of the Danube countries themselves and non-riparian countries with an interest in free navigation on the Danube. All contributions have been paid to the so-called International Fund to an account at the Austrian National Bank in Vienna.

All the work carried out within the framework of the project had to be in accordance with European Union regulations.

In November 2000 a Technical Unit for the Clearance Project of the Danube Commission was established, which was in charge of all activities in connection with the project and responsible to the Danube Commission.

By June 2003 the section of Novi Sad had been completely cleared. In 2004 continuous, round the clock navigation on the river was hindered only by a pontoon bridge, which was disassembled on 7 October, 2005, as soon as the bridge “Sloboda” had been restored and put into operation.

Since then the question of the clearance of the fairway and of assuring navigation on the Danube without hindrances has been totally solved.

The results of the implementation of the Convention’s provisions are reflected in the overall development of navigation on the Danube, in the growth of inland waterway transport, in a general strengthening of economic relations of the Contracting Parties among themselves and with the countries of Western Europe, as well as in the growth of international trade.

Against the background of an enlarging European Union, with its overall market of almost 500 million consumers, especially in a period when several Member States of the Danube Commission have already joined or are going to join the European Union, European transport policy has the task to create the necessary conditions for enhancing and improving coordinated planning and financing, particularly with regard to the infrastructure of inland waterway transport, not only in the member states of the European Union but in the accession countries as well.

Another relevant question in this context is the harmonization of technical prescriptions, rules and standards, as well as of legal provisions in force on the Danube, on the Rhine, within the European Union, and those adopted by the ECE UNO, with the aim of creating a uniform Pan-European system of inland navigation consisting of organizational structures that can meet present conditions.

With regard to all these important measures the Danube Commission should be, so to say, the “hinges” in the gate of the European house ?which since the fall of the iron curtain has been open for both East and West – and contribute, as much as possible, to the strengthening of co-operation among countries that have not joined the European Union and the member states of this organization.

The Danube Commission will only be in a position to make such a contribution if the Belgrade Convention is adapted to the political, legal and technical changes that have taken place since 1948. The reason for this being, that in the period following 1948, and particularly during the last decade social, political and economic conditions, first of all in the countries of Eastern Europe, underwent substantial changes. Therefore, it has become an absolute necessity to bring the Convention into harmony with present day circumstances.

At the moment these questions are examined by a Preparatory Committee composed of the representatives of the Contracting Parties of the Belgrade Convention, in the work of which the Danube Commission participates as an observer. This Committee has the task to prepare for the Diplomatic Conference to be convened in the near future the necessary draft amendments and/or supplements to the Belgrade Convention.

http://www.stabilitypact.org/rt/Danube%20Co-operation%20Process%20Ministerial%20July%202004.pdf

Final Document of the Second Ministerial Conference of the Danube Co-operation Process
(Bucharest, 14 th of July 2004)
The Danube as a European Lifeline
The ministers of foreign affairs or their representatives from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the
Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro,
Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine, the European Commission and the Special Co-ordinator of the Stability
Pact for South-Eastern Europe convened in Bucharest, on the 14th of July 2004, for their Second
Ministerial Conference of the Danube Co-operation Process. They have conducted a review of the Process
established at their first Conference in May 2002 in Vienna and confirmed that it had a valuable role to play
in fostering co-operation in the interest of stability, prosperity and a better economic and social cohesion of
the region.
In spite of their different historic experiences, the different stages of economic development and positions
in the European integration process, these countries share the same democratic principles, values and
objectives. The DCP, as a political process, offers an instrument to develop understanding and solidarity
between them in the process of forging a European identity and promoting European integration in the
whole region.
I. The Danube and the European integration process
The current and future enlargements of the EU, as well as the participation of some DCP countries in the
Stabilisation and Association Process or the European Neighbourhood Policy, will bring the Danube region
as a whole closer to the European integration process. Within a relatively short time span a large stretch of
the Danube river will be located within the European Union. This will increase the importance of the
Danube within the European Union.
The European Community is a member of the International Commission for the Protection of the River
Danube (ICPDR) of which it is holding the Presidency in 2004. In addition, the European Commission is
recommending that the European Community become a member of the Danube Commission. It is also an
observer in the process of revising the Belgrade Convention. An increased involvement of the European
Community should have a positive impact on the further sustainable development of the region.
Special attention should be devoted to the further liberalisation of transport, by evaluating the compatibility
of existing bilateral regulations pertaining to international transport in the region with European Union rules.
A multilateral approach to the regulation of traffic rights vis-à-vis third countries should be considered and
efforts to establish a harmonised European inland navigation system open to all Danube countries be
further pursued.
The introduction of the New Neighbourhood Policy concept through the Commission communications on
Wider Europe (March 2003), “Paving the way to a New Neighbourhood Instrument” (July 2003) and
“European Neighbourhood Policy – Strategy Paper” (May 2004) opens up possibilities to address a number
of issues of relevance for the Danube. The New Neighbourhood Initiative aims at addressing the new
challenges on the EU external borders following on enlargement, through the following objectives:
promotion of sustainable economic and social development, working together to address common
challenges, border issues and people to people actions. Until a New Neighbourhood Instrument is in place
in 2007, Neighbourhood Programmes operating in the border areas are being set up, providing increased
co-operation opportunities through co-ordination of structures and funding from Cards, Tacis, Phare and
Interreg.
By devoting greater attention to Danube related matters, the European Union will contribute to
strengthening links between all countries in the Danube region and thus bringing the European Union
member states and the countries beyond the European Union borders closer together.
II. The role of the Danube Co-operation Process
The Danube Co-operation Process shall continue, as established in the Vienna Declaration of 27 May
2002, to broaden and deepen present Danube co-operation taking stock of and using the existing
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structures and develop further the various initiatives already launched in different fields of present Danube
co-operation. The Process has a multi-dimensional character, whose main feature shall be its political
dimension which will establish priorities for action in order to address common concerns, interests and
objectives of all the Danubian countries. The Process shall highlight issues related to Europe and the
European integration process, which are of great importance to the Danubian countries. The process shall
ensure integration between its various dimensions in order to establish synergies leading to the overall aim
of sustainable development of the Danube Region.
A number of organisations and initiatives are active in the Danube region, and addressing issues of
paramount importance to the region, such as:
 Diplomatic negotiations related to the revision of the 1948 Belgrade Convention on the Regime of
Navigation on the Danube;
 The Danube Commission’s endeavours to promote the use of the Danube as an inland European
waterway;
 Co-operation between Ministries of Transport within the framework of the Pan-European Corridor VII
Steering Committee;
 Activities initiated by Austria as lead partner relating to the “development of sustainable transport
solutions in the Danube region”;
 Efforts by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) to develop a
coordinated river basin management for improving the ecological status of the waters and to enhance
co-operation to prevent accidental pollution and to prevent, reduce and mitigate flood damage;
 Efforts undertaken by the DABLAS Task force to prioritise environmental projects in the region and
thus increase their funding;
 Co-operation between Ministries of environment in connection with the “Lower Danube Green
Corridor”;
 The wide ranging activities of the Central European Initiative;
 The activities of SECI related to trade and transport facilitation;
 Promotion of tourism on and along the river Danube by the Danube Tourist Commission;
 Efforts by the Working Community of Danubian Regions (“ARGE-Donauländer”) to promote subregional
co-operation.
The internet based information and communication portal “Danube Portal”, which is about to be
operational, makes information accessible to all interested parties about the process, its members,
international organisations and initiatives and their activities in the region and provides a platform for
dialogue to support the objectives of the Process. At the same time, the establishment of a direct link
between the Portal and the electronic data-base of the Danubian entrepreneurs, to be finalized this year,
will facilitate business within the region.
III. The priorities under the Dimensions of the Danube Co-operation Process
1. Economic development, navigation and sustainable transport
The Danube region offers considerable potential for economic co-operation within the region. It is essential
that such co-operation is based on sustainable development to ensure a long-term prosperity including a
high level of social and environmental protection.
Sustainable transport solutions will be pivotal for the economic development of the region and the well
being of its population. The development of new traffic concepts, improved and combined transport
systems and the better use of the Danube as a transport mode will contribute considerably to the
alleviation of traffic problems brought about by the growing economic integration of the European Union
and the countries of the region and will encourage the flow of investment and the transfer of capitals in the
region.
The DCP Participants welcome the initiative of addressing the development of sustainable transport in the
Danube Region with a view to establishing an integrated approach and coherent policies of all Danubian
States in this field, including by considering holding a meeting of ministers of transport of Danubian States.
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Danube Region Business Conference
The DCP Participants welcome the organisation of the Fourth Danube Region Business Conference in
Bucharest (8-9 October 2003) with the participation of more than 600 participants from all Danubian states,
as well as from countries from outside the region. It covered a wide range of fields, such as transport and
ports, finance and insurance, development and support of SMEs, tariffs and trade, environment,
public/private partnership, infrastructure, e-society and e-Europe, tourism, water and health, investments,
education and culture.
The Conference proved to be a useful tool, by formulating conclusions and recommendations transmitted,
as inputs from the Danube business environment, to all Danube Co-operation Process participants for
analysis and endorsement.
The DCP Participants endorse these conclusions and recommendations, which should be given particular
attention and opportunities should be taken, so that the contribution of the business community to the
development of the region be as effective as possible.
They welcome the invitation of Serbia and Montenegro to host the next Business Conference in Belgrade
in 2005.
The DCP Participants welcome the organization of the Danube Summit 2004 incorporating South East
European Ports, Shipping and Logistics Conference and Exhibition, to be held in Belgrade, on the 13th-15th
of October 2004, as a follow-up to the similar event organized in Constanţa in 2002.
Belgrade Convention of 1948
The DCP Participants support the revision of the 1948 Belgrade Convention Concerning the Regime of
Navigation on the Danube, the work of which is well under way in the following direction:
 Strengthening free navigation and non-discriminatory policies with the view to facilitate closer cooperation
and future integration of inland navigation in Europe.
 Developing the Danube as an efficient and competitive waterway, in order to play its appropriate role
within the framework of a sustainable European transport policy.
 Improving the institutional aspects of the Convention and reforming the Commission with a view to
adapt it to the present realities and in order to provide it with the tools needed for dealing with the
challenges of the future.
Given the growing importance of the Danube to Europe as a whole, the European Commission is
recommending the accession of the European Community to the Belgrade Convention.
Traffic rights and regulations
The DCP Participants emphasize the importance of examining the current bilateral agreements in force
pertaining to international transport, especially with a view to identifying means of reducing barriers to
transport and creating an efficient system of European inland navigation, including under a multilateral
approach.
EU Trans-European transport networks and their external dimension
The DCP Participants confirm their support for the further development of the EU Trans-European
transport networks as well as their external connections, with particular attention being given to the
following aspects:
 Taking full account, outside the EU, of the provisions of the TEN-T guidelines, including approximation
to EU standards in particular Environmental Impact Assessment;
 Re-examining the existing Pan-European transport network, paying special attention to sustainable
transport modes;
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 Implementing measures which could enable Corridor VII to function as an important international
waterway, including Corridor VII Management structures;
 Promoting the development of Pan-European Transport Corridor VII connections to Corridors IV, V,
VIII and X;
In this context, the Participants also underlined the particular relevance of:
 Supporting measures related to the tributaries of the Danube and in particular to the Sava river;
 Supporting activities which could contribute to the networking of Danube ports, as a pre-condition for
intensifying trade and traffic in the Danube region
 Supporting the future development of co-operation of the Black Sea Transport Area and the relevant
sections on the TRACECA corridor;
 Encouraging close co-operation between the Danube Commission and the ICPDR in the development
of these projects to ensure that the expansion of the Pan-European waterways is sustainable in its
economic, social and environmental dimension.
Transport safety and border management
The DCP Participants support an enhancement of transport safety and a harmonisation of border
procedures, with particular attention being given to the following aspects:
 Introducing a harmonised system of River Information Services (RIS) along the Danube, in order to
support the planning and management of traffic and transport operations. The implementation of RIS
will not only improve safety and efficiency in traffic but simultaneously enhance the efficiency and
security of transport operations.
 Harmonising and streamlining customs and border procedures.
2. Environment and River Basin management
The DCP Participants support the efforts undertaken in the framework of the International Commission for
the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). They welcome and support the agreement of their countries
co-operating in the framework of the ICPDR to jointly develop a co-ordinated River Basin Management
Plan, protecting water and related ecosystems for the whole Danube River Basin – structured into a roof
plan and more detailed national or sub-basin plans – in accordance with the requirements of the European
Unions Water Framework Directive.
The DCP Participants support the efforts undertaken by the Danube-Black Sea Task Force (DABLAS) and
call upon the Danubian countries and other partners to give their full support to the funding of priority
projects in the region, with the aim of remediation of the Danube and the Black Sea. Ministers also support
action aimed at fully valorising the Danube Delta and other unique ecosystems along the river as part of
humanity’s international patrimony, which has to be preserved.
They note with appreciation the initiative of the riparian countries to establish the Sava River Commission
to work jointly on a respective sub-basin management plan for the Sava River Basin, as well as the
initiative on the Tisza/Tisa River Basin co-operation development, including sustainable spatial
development, sustainable flood management and integrated river basin management, which can be
models for other sub-basins in the Danube Region.
The DCP Participants welcome the celebration along the Danube of the first edition of the Danube Day, on
the 29th of June 2004, the tenth anniversary of the signature of the Sofia Convention on the co-operation
for the protection and sustainable use of the Danube river and express their hope that this event will
contribute to a better implementation of the objectives of the ICPDR.
The DCP Participants take note of the considerable progress already achieved in improving the waste
water treatment infrastructure in parts of the region and stressed the need for further enhancing the cooperation
between International Financial Institutions, the European Community, donors and the countries
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in the region to identify and prepare relevant projects and to match available funds with the regional
environmental priority projects.
They underline the importance of trans-boundary co-operation on prevention, reduction and mitigation of
damage caused by floods, and supported the preparation of an international Action Program for the
sustainable flood protection in the Danube River basin by the ICPDR.
A mechanism related to the management of draughts which can affect the Danube region should also be
considered.
The DCP Participants welcome the Ministerial Meeting of the ICPDR on the 13th of December 2004 that
will address future environmental challenges in the Danube region.
3. Tourism
The DCP Participants take note of the existing co-operation structures in the development and marketing
of tourism, particularly on the river Danube, and encourage the expansion of such co-operation to other
parts of the region not immediately adjacent to the river. Ministers support the endeavours of “Die Donau”,
the Danube Tourist Commission (DTC), with particular attention being given to the following aspects:
 Securing the accession of all Danubian countries to “Die Donau”, the DTC;
 Seeking observer status for the DTC in organisations and activities dealing with tourism along the
Danube;
 Publishing the Danube Sales Manual (containing comprehensive tourism related data and tourist
amenities on offer along up to a 70 km wide strip on both river sides);
 Completing the cycle track along the Danube (Donauradweg) from Budapest to the Danube Delta;
 Organizing regular sessions of the Danube Region Tourism Stock Exchange; and
 Harmonizing landing fees at a reasonable level and taking steps aiming at simplifying customs and
boarding procedures.
It is also expected that the co-operation activities of Danubian cities in the context of the Donauhanse
project will focus, inter alia, on the tourism sector, and could thus contribute to an expansion of city tourism
within the Danube region.
4. Cultural co-operation
Close cultural co-operation in the Danube region does not only have a long and vibrant history – which is
worth to be studied and documented – but also the potential to contribute to overcoming mental barriers
between peoples in the region, which have so often been divided by history.
Thus the DCP Participants welcome and support the activities of the Danube Rector’s Conference and
encourage all universities involved to continue activities especially in the fields of quality assessment,
common study programmes and other measures increasing student and faculty mobility.
The DCP Participants support an idea to publish a Danubian encyclopaedia.
The DCP Participants further stress the importance of institutions for higher education in the region which
contribute – by their academic profile, their student intake or by multilingual teaching – to strengthening the
specific tradition of cultural diversity in the Danube region.
The DCP Participants welcome and support the efforts to create an international literary research centre in
Russe/Bulgaria, the birthplace of Nobel Price winner Elias Canetti.
The DCP Participants support plans to produce bilaterally or for the whole Danube region specific history
teaching materials which help to overcome undifferentiated national stereotypes and to make common
cultural traditions and lifestyles better known.
The Danube Culture Festival, which took place in 2003 in Belgrade, gave ample proof of mutual interest in
cultural co-operation in all sectors of artistic life. Ministers encourage the planning and organisation of
similar events.
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5. Sub-regional co-operation
The DCP Participants take note of the Working Community of Danubian Regions (“ARGE-Donauländer”)
comprising over 30 member regions from 10 Danubian countries, established in 1990 with the aim of
contributing to the promotion of co-operation among its members and of achieving sustainable
development of the Danubian basin.
The DCP Participants recognize that the Working Community of Danubian Regions has made a valuable
contribution to the progress of regional co-operation through projects such as:
 The Map of the Danube Basin as well as the digital map „Cultural Itinerary Danube“ presenting several
thousand cultural data along the Danube river, enhancing further development of touristical
infrastructure in conjunction with heightened awareness for the protection of cultural heritage,
 The Declaration of the Working Community of Danubian Regions on Soil Protection
and the
 Study of the Working Committee for Transport and Shipping on European Transport-Infrastructure of
European Regions.
The DCP Participants support the aims and activities of the member regions of the Working Community of
Danubian Regions, thereby supporting the regions in their competence to apply solutions for regional
problems based on regional knowledge, and acknowledge the renewed commitment of the members
of the Working Community of Danubian Regions at their Belgrade Session of High Officials on 5 June
2003, to the advancement of inter-regional co-operation and the promotion of the Danube as a river of
co-operation also in the future.
The DCP Participants appreciate the activities developed within the framework of Danubian Euro-regions,
which represent a promoting factor of closer co-operation among local communities, aiming at
strengthening human, social, economic and cultural cohesion of the region. The Euro-regions
contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the Danube Co-operation Process at local levels.
The DCP Participants welcome the activities planned in the context of the “Donauhanse” project, jointly
financed by the EU and a number of cities in the region. They take note in particular of the ongoing
and planned projects to establish inter-city networks, in order to foster co-operation in the transport,
tourism and cultural sectors, as well as networks between the various ports on the river Danube.
These activities would make a substantial contribution, not only economically, but also in creating
additional synergies and ties through direct and constant contact and co-operation at municipal level.
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The DCP Participants decide that the next Ministerial Conference of the Danube Co-operation Process
shall be held in 2006.