다뉴브협동과정 이시우 2006/05/11 710

http://www.argedonau.at/neu/arge/protokoll/regierung/Protokoll-der-13–Sitzung/Beilage–6-2.doc

May 23, 2002 Beilage 6.2 Protokoll 13. KdRC.

Danube Cooperation Process
Principles and working methods for the functioning of the Process

1. Principles
The Danube Co-operation Process is characterized by its multi-dimensional and flexible structure. Its various dimensions should be co-ordinated in such a way so that they mutually reinforce one another’s activity and results. Indeed it has been agreed to give to the Process “a multi-dimensional character, whose main feature shall be its political dimension which will establish priorities for action within the Process, in accordance with the specific objectives and concerns of the Danubian countries and which will provide the necessary impetus to effective implementation of various concrete forms of co-operation, as well as to improving the security of the region.”(§ 18 of the Declaration)
As underlined by the Declaration on the Establishment of the Danube Co-operation process “the Process should not lead to duplication with other existing forms of co-operation in the region and its initiatives where relevant should be devised and implemented within the framework of priorities that have already been developed for the South-East European region, notably by the European Commission and the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. The Process should add value to these existing efforts by providing a new channel for regional ideas and initiatives, thus focusing greater energies and resources at the Danube basin” (§ 20 of the Declaration).
Therefore it is understood by all participants that the Process, in order to convey renewed impetus to existing forms of cooperation in the region, shall serve primarily as a political framework of co-operation, developed through Ministerial Conferences, which shall take place every two years. (Declaration, § 22: “Establish a new framework for co-operation in the Danubian region, in the form of a constant process based on biennial conferences, at the level of ministers of foreign affairs of these countries”)
Since the Danube Cooperation process is no formal international agreement nor international organisation, no formal observer status has to be defined. Therefore participants agreed to the invitation as “guests” for the ministerial conferences of the Process of those interested states or international organisations that have “a genuine interest” and “the capacity to bring a valuable and practical contribution to the activities of the DCP” (See §21 of the Declaration).
2. Working methods
The Process shall “broaden and deepen present Danube co-operation and give to it clear political and economic dimensions, without creating new institutions, but taking stock of and using the existing structures and, where necessary, harmonising their objectives and efforts, providing a focus, where appropriate, for their efforts within the Danube region” (§ 14 of the Declaration).
The Ministerial conferences shall agree in an indicative work programme on directions of co-operation, with reference to the six “dimensions” – economic dimension, navigation dimension, environmental dimension, tourism dimension, cultural dimension and sub-regional dimension. These will serve as guidelines to be followed till the next Conference.
One key task of the Ministerial conference is therefore to identify and list priority objectives of common interest under each dimension, to give the necessary impetus, to monitor the degree of fulfillment of the objectives, and to update the document listing the concrete priority objectives:
Indicative work programme
The indicative work programme to be prepared in the framework of the Ministerial Conferences is a document listing the concrete priority objectives, with corresponding illustrative tasks, and whenever appropriate with orientative deadlines. Prioritization implies an agreement on a limited number of priority objectives of common interest (2 to 3) under each of the six dimensions of the Process. The document will deliberately not attempt to be exhaustive.
Key organisations and relevant institutions (eg. Danube Commission or SECI) to be involved or already in charge are to be mentioned, in reference to the priority objectives, under each dimension.
Those states which are interested to get particularly involved and perform some leading/coordinating tasks under one dimension of the process or on a specific priority objective should be mentioned. Austria has volunteered for coordinating an integrated approach to the transport problematic, Romania will pay special attention to business related activities, FR Yugoslavia accepted coordination for the tourism dimension.
The indicative work programme shall not be confused with a list of projects for pledging and financing purposes, since the Process is not a funding mechanism. Illustrative tasks included should primarily refer to ongoing initiatives or projects.
Annexed to this note is a table presentation of the Indicative work programme. It lists the priority objectives of common interest which were agreed among participants, with detailed reference to existing initiatives and active organisations and states. (See Annex ‘Danube Cooperation Process – Indicative work programme’)
Work in between the Ministerial Conferences
Meetings at the level of high officials of the ministries of foreign affairs of all member states shall be organized in between the Ministerial Conferences, in order to take note of the degree of fulfilment of the objectives set out by the previous Ministerial Conference and to identify the necessary impetus to be given as well as possible new directions of interest. The indicative work programme listing the priority objectives of common interest shall be updated in order to be presented for analysis and endorsement at the next Ministerial Conference.
Within each dimension the concrete work programme will rely on those key organizations in charge and on the States that will take some leading/coordinating responsibilities, together with all other states which have expressed interest to get involved in a particular area of common interest. Progress reports on the above-mentioned priority objectives shall be drafted
Specific working procedures are left up to the designated organisations and leading country. As an example, if the modernisation of the 1948 Belgrade Convention on Navigation on the Danube River is a goal shared by the Danube Cooperation process, the actual implementation of that goal is left to the existing procedural arrangements of the Danube Commission, eg. the decision taken in April 2002 by the 60th Annual session of the Danube Commission to relaunch the committee for the preparation of a diplomatic conference. Similarly, Austria will take initiatives as leading/coordinating state to address, together with other key partners (i.a. Steering committee of Corridor VII, EC), the issues identified in the Document “Danube Co-operation Process – Ideas for an Integrated Transport Approach: Improving quality of transports by ship and railway for the countries of the Danube Region”

General co-ordination.
In the process of launching of the Danube Co-operation Process, special responsibility was taken by Romania and Austria, together with the European Commission and the Stability Pact for South-East Europe. To the extent that the work to be undertaken within each dimension will rely on specific co-ordination, Austria and Romania, as well as EC and SP have expressed there readiness to continue to assume some degree of general co-ordination in the Danube Cooperation process in the future.

3. Supporting tools

Danube Region Business Conferences: Three Danube Region Business Conferences were previously organised in Vienna, in 1998, 1999 and 2001, aiming at enhancing the development of trade in the Danubian region, by formulating recommendations of businesspeople and scholars to the authorities of the Danubian countries. After the launching of the Danube Co-operation Process, the inclusion of these Business Conferences under the aegis of the Process, comes naturally. The fourth edition of the Business Conference shall be organised in Bucharest, in the first semester of 2003.

Danube Co-operation Electronic Database Project (Austrian project idea): In line with the objectives and the working methods of DCP, an electronic database would be needed to systematically take stock of all the different initiatives, programmes and projects in the region. Such an internet portal would constitute the virtual extension of the Danube Co-operation Process. It should pursue the functions of systematic stock taking of all institutions, facilities, and projects relevant for the Danube region; supporting the efforts of interested bodies and individuals to find the right partners within the region for the promotion of their ideas and initiatives that are in line with DCP objectives; documenting and disseminating the results and experiences of Danubian Co-operation; informing the interested public on a regular basis about the recent developments of the Danube Co-operation Process.