Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam

Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Konvencije o varstvu in uporabi čezmejnih vodotokov in mednarodnih jezer (MKVVJ), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 10. marca 1999.

Ratificira se Konvencija o varstvu in uporabi čezmejnih vodotokov in mednarodnih jezer, sklenjena v Helsinkih 17. marca 1992.

Konvencija se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in v prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi:

The Parties to this Convention,
Mindful that the protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes are important and urgent tasks, the effective accomplishment of which can only be ensured by enhanced cooperation,
Concerned over the existence and threats of adverse effects, in the short or long term, of changes in the conditions of transboundary watercourses and international lakes on the environment, economies and well-being of the member countries of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE),
Emphasizing the need for strengthened national and international measures to prevent, control and reduce the release of hazardous substances into the aquatic environment and to abate eutrophication and acidification, as well as pollution of the marine environment, in particular coastal areas, from land-based sources,
Commending the efforts already undertaken by the ECE Governments to strengthen cooperation, on bilateral and multilateral levels, for the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary pollution, sustainable water management, conservation of water resources and environmental protection,
Recalling the pertinent provisions and principles of the Declaration of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), the Concluding Documents of the Madrid and Vienna Meetings of Representatives of the Participating States of the CSCE, and the Regional Strategy for Environmental Protection and Rational Use of Natural Resources in ECE Member Countries covering the Period up to the Year 2000 and Beyond,
Conscious of the role of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in promoting international cooperation for the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary water pollution and sustainable use of transboundary waters, and in this regard recalling the ECE Declaration of Policy on Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, including Transboundary Pollution; the ECE Declaration of Policy on the Rational Use of Water; the ECE Principles Regarding Cooperation in the Field of Transboundary Waters; the ECE Charter on Groundwater Management; and the Code of Conduct on Accidental Pollution of Transboundary Inland Waters,
Referring to decisions I (42) and I (44) adopted by the Economic Commission for Europe at its forty-second and forty-fourth sessions, respectively, and the outcome of the CSCE Meeting on the Protection of the Environment (Sofia, Bulgaria, 16 October – 3 November 1989),
Emphasizing that cooperation between member countries in regard to the protection and use of transboundary waters shall be implemented primarily through the elaboration of agreements between countries bordering the same waters, especially where no such agreements have yet been reached,
Have agreed as follows:

For the purposes of this Convention,
1. “Transboundary waters“ means any surface or ground waters which mark, cross or are located on boundaries between two or more States; wherever transboundary waters flow directly into the sea, these transboundary waters end at a straight line across their respective mouths between points on the low-water line of their banks;
2. “Transboundary impact“ means any significant adverse effect on the environment resulting from a change in the conditions of transboundary waters caused by a human activity, the physical origin of which is situated wholly or in part within an area under the jurisdiction of a Party, within an area under the jurisdiction of another Party. Such effects on the environment include effects on human health and safety, flora, fauna, soil, air, water, climate, landscape and historical monuments or other physical structures or the interaction among these factors; they also include effects on the cultural heritage or socio-economic conditions resulting from alterations to those factors;
3. “Party“ means, unless the text otherwise indicates, a Contracting Party to this Convention;
4. “Riparian Parties“ means the Parties bordering the same transboundary waters;
5. “Joint body“ means any bilateral or multilateral commission or other appropriate institutional arrangements for cooperation between the Riparian Parties;
6. “Hazardous substances“ means substances which are toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic or bio-accumulative, especially when they are persistent;
7. “Best available technology“ (the definition is contained in annex I to this Convention).

1. The Parties shall take all appropriate measures to prevent, control and reduce any transboundary impact.
2. The Parties shall, in particular, take all appropriate measures:
(a) To prevent, control and reduce pollution of waters causing or likely to cause transboundary impact;
(b) To ensure that transboundary waters are used with the aim of ecologically sound and rational water management, conservation of water resources and environmental protection;
(c) To ensure that transboundary waters are used in a reasonable and equitable way, taking into particular account their transboundary character, in the case of activities which cause or are likely to cause transboundary impact;
(d) To ensure conservation and, where necessary, restoration of ecosystems.
3. Measures for the prevention, control and reduction of water pollution shall be taken, where possible, at source.
4. These measures shall not directly or indirectly result in a transfer of pollution to other parts of the environment.
5. In taking the measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, the Parties shall be guided by the following principles:
(a) The precautionary principle, by virtue of which action to avoid the potential transboundary impact of the release of hazardous substances shall not be postponed on the ground that scientific research has not fully proved a causal link between those substances, on the one hand, and the potential transboundary impact, on the other hand;
(b) The polluter-pays principle, by virtue of which costs of pollution prevention, control and reduction measures shall be borne by the polluter;
(c) Water resources shall be managed so that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
6. The Riparian Parties shall cooperate on the basis of equality and reciprocity, in particular through bilateral and multilateral agreements, in order to develop harmonized policies, programmes and strategies covering the relevant catchment areas, or parts thereof, aimed at the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact and aimed at the protection of the environment of transboundary waters or the environment influenced by such waters, including the marine environment.
7. The application of this Convention shall not lead to the deterioration of environmental conditions nor lead to increased transboundary impact.
8. The provisions of this Convention shall not affect the right of Parties individually or jointly to adopt and implement more stringent measures than those set down in this Convention.

1. To prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, the Parties shall develop, adopt, implement and, as far as possible, render compatible relevant legal, administrative, economic, financial and technical measures, in order to ensure, inter alia, that:
(a) The emission of pollutants is prevented, controlled and reduced at source through the application of, inter alia, low- and non-waste technology;
(b) Transboundary waters are protected against pollution from point sources through the prior licensing of waste-water discharges by the competent national authorities, and that the authorized discharges are monitored and controlled;
(c) Limits for waste-water discharges stated in permits are based on the best available technology for discharges of hazardous substances;
(d) Stricter requirements, even leading to prohibition in individual cases, are imposed when the quality of the receiving water or the ecosystem so requires;
(e) At least biological treatment or equivalent processes are applied to municipal waste water, where necessary in a step-by-step approach;
(f) Appropriate measures are taken, such as the application of the best available technology, in order to reduce nutrient inputs from industrial and municipal sources;
(g) Appropriate measures and best environmental practices are developed and implemented for the reduction of inputs of nutrients and hazardous substances from diffuse sources, especially where the main sources are from agriculture (guidelines for developing best environmental practices are given in annex II to this Convention);
(h) Environmental impact assessment and other means of assessment are applied;
(i) Sustainable water-resources management, including the application of the ecosystems approach, is promoted;
(j) Contingency planning is developed;
(k) Additional specific measures are taken to prevent the pollution of groundwaters;
(l) The risk of accidental pollution is minimized.
2. To this end, each Party shall set emission limits for discharges from point sources into surface waters based on the best available technology, which are specifically applicable to individual industrial sectors or industries from which hazardous substances derive. The appropriate measures mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article to prevent, control and reduce the input of hazardous substances from point and diffuse sources into waters, may, inter alia, include total or partial prohibition of the production or use of such substances. Existing lists of such industrial sectors or industries and of such hazardous substances in international conventions or regulations, which are applicable in the area covered by this Convention, shall be taken into account.
3. In addition, each Party shall define, where appropriate, water-quality objectives and adopt water-quality criteria for the purpose of preventing, controlling and reducing transboundary impact. General guidance for developing such objectives and criteria is given in annex III to this Convention. When necessary, the Parties shall endeavour to update this annex.

The Parties shall establish programmes for monitoring the conditions of transboundary waters.

The Parties shall cooperate in the conduct of research into and development of effective techniques for the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact. To this effect, the Parties shall, on a bilateral and/or multilateral basis, taking into account research activities pursued in relevant international forums, endeavour to initiate or intensify specific research programmes, where necessary, aimed, inter alia, at:
(a) Methods for the assessment of the toxicity of hazardous substances and the noxiousness of pollutants;
(b) Improved knowledge on the occurrence, distribution and environmental effects of pollutants and the processes involved;
(c) The development and application of environmentally sound technologies, production and consumption patterns;
(d) The phasing out and/or substitution of substances likely to have transboundary impact;
(e) Environmentally sound methods of disposal of hazardous substances;
(f) Special methods for improving the conditions of transboundary waters;
(g) The development of environmentally sound water-construction works and water-regulation techniques;
(h) The physical and financial assessment of damage resulting from transboundary impact.
The results of these research programmes shall be exchanged among the Parties in accordance with article 6 of this Convention.

The Parties shall provide for the widest exchange of information, as early as possible, on issues covered by the provisions of this Convention.

The Parties shall support appropriate international efforts to elaborate rules, criteria and procedures in the field of responsibility and liability.

The provisions of this Convention shall not affect the rights or the obligations of Parties in accordance with their national legal systems and applicable supranational regulations to protect information related to industrial and commercial secrecy, including intellectual property, or national security.

1. The Riparian Parties shall on the basis of equality and reciprocity enter into bilateral or multilateral agreements or other arrangements, where these do not yet exist, or adapt existing ones, where necessary to eliminate the contradictions with the basic principles of this Convention, in order to define their mutual relations and conduct regarding the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact. The Riparian Parties shall specify the catchment area, or part(s) thereof, subject to cooperation. These agreements or arrangements shall embrace relevant issues covered by this Convention, as well as any other issues on which the Riparian Parties may deem it necessary to cooperate.
2. The agreements or arrangements mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article shall provide for the establishment of joint bodies. The tasks of these joint bodies shall be, inter alia, and without prejudice to relevant existing agreements or arrangements, the following:
(a) To collect, compile and evaluate data in order to identify pollution sources likely to cause transboundary impact;
(b) To elaborate joint monitoring programmes concerning water quality and quantity;
(c) To draw up inventories and exchange information on the pollution sources mentioned in paragraph 2 (a) of this article;
(d) To elaborate emission limits for waste water and evaluate the effectiveness of control programmes;
(e) To elaborate joint water-quality objectives and criteria having regard to the provisions of article 3, paragraph 3 of this Convention, and to propose relevant measures for maintaining and, where necessary, improving the existing water quality;
(f) To develop concerted action programmes for the reduction of pollution loads from both point sources (e.g. municipal and industrial sources) and diffuse sources (particularly from agriculture);
(g) To establish warning and alarm procedures;
(h) To serve as a forum for the exchange of information on existing and planned uses of water and related installations that are likely to cause transboundary impact;
(i) To promote cooperation and exchange of information on the best available technology in accordance with the provisions of article 13 of this Convention, as well as to encourage cooperation in scientific research programmes;
(j) To participate in the implementation of environmental impact assessments relating to transboundary waters, in accordance with appropriate international regulations.
3. In cases where a coastal State, being Party to this Convention, is directly and significantly affected by transboundary impact, the Riparian Parties can, if they all so agree, invite that coastal State to be involved in an appropriate manner in the activities of multilateral joint bodies established by Parties riparian to such transboundary waters.
4. Joint bodies according to this Convention shall invite joint bodies, established by coastal States for the protection of the marine environment directly affected by transboundary impact, to cooperate in order to harmonize their work and to prevent, control and reduce the transboundary impact.
5. Where two or more joint bodies exist in the same catchment area, they shall endeavour to coordinate their activities in order to strengthen the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact within that catchment area.

Consultations shall be held between the Riparian Parties on the basis of reciprocity, good faith and good-neighbourliness, at the request of any such Party. Such consultations shall aim at cooperation regarding the issues covered by the provisions of this Convention. Any such consultations shall be conducted through a joint body established under article 9 of this Convention, where one exists.

1. In the framework of general cooperation mentioned in article 9 of this Convention, or specific arrangements, the Riparian Parties shall establish and implement joint programmes for monitoring the conditions of transboundary waters, including floods and ice drifts, as well as transboundary impact.
2. The Riparian Parties shall agree upon pollution parameters and pollutants whose discharges and concentration in transboundary waters shall be regularly monitored.
3. The Riparian Parties shall, at regular intervals, carry out joint or coordinated assessments of the conditions of transboundary waters and the effectiveness of measures taken for the prevention, control and reduction of transboundary impact. The results of these assessments shall be made available to the public in accordance with the provisions set out in article 16 of this Convention.
4. For these purposes, the Riparian Parties shall harmonize rules for the setting up and operation of monitoring programmes, measurement systems, devices, analytical techniques, data processing and evaluation procedures, and methods for the registration of pollutants discharged.

In the framework of general cooperation mentioned in article 9 of this Convention, or specific arrangements, the Riparian Parties shall undertake specific research and development activities in support of achieving and maintaining the water-quality objectives and criteria which they have agreed to set and adopt.

1. The Riparian Parties shall, within the framework of relevant agreements or other arrangements according to article 9 of this Convention, exchange reasonably available data, inter alia, on:
(a) Environmental conditions of transboundary waters;
(b) Experience gained in the application and operation of best available technology 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) Permits or regulations for waste-water discharges issued by the competent authority or appropriate body.
2. In order to harmonize emission limits, the Riparian Parties shall undertake the exchange of information on their national regulations.
3. If a Riparian Party is requested by another Riparian 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 Riparian Parties shall facilitate the exchange of best available technology, particularly through the promotion of: the commercial exchange of available technology; direct industrial contacts and cooperation, including joint ventures; the exchange of information and experience; and the provision of technical assistance. The Riparian Parties shall also undertake joint training programmes and the organization of relevant seminars and meetings.

The Riparian Parties shall without delay inform each other about any critical situation that may have transboundary impact. The Riparian Parties shall set up, where appropriate, and operate coordinated or joint communication, warning and alarm systems with the aim of obtaining and transmitting information. These systems shall operate on the basis of compatible data transmission and treatment procedures and facilities to be agreed upon by the Riparian Parties. The Riparian Parties shall inform each other about competent authorities or points of contact designated for this purpose.

1. If a critical situation should arise, the Riparian Parties shall provide mutual assistance upon request, following procedures to be established in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article.
2. The Riparian Parties shall elaborate and agree upon 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 Party requesting assistance, including, where necessary, the facilitation of border-crossing formalities;
(c) Arrangements for holding harmless, indemnifying and/or compensating the assisting Party and/or its personnel, as well as for transit through territories of third Parties, where necessary;
(d) Methods of reimbursing assistance services.

1. The Riparian Parties shall ensure that information on the conditions of transboundary waters, measures taken or planned to be taken to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact, and the effectiveness of those measures, is made available to the public. For this purpose, the Riparian Parties shall ensure that the following information is made available to the public:
(a) Water-quality objectives;
(b) Permits issued and the conditions required to be met;
(c) Results of water and effluent sampling carried out for the purposes of monitoring and assessment, as well as results of checking compliance with the water-quality objectives or the permit conditions.
2. The Riparian Parties shall ensure that this information shall be available to the public at all reasonable times for inspection free of charge, and shall provide members of the public with reasonable facilities for obtaining from the Riparian Parties, on payment of reasonable charges, copies of such information.

1. The first meeting of the Parties shall be convened no later than one year after the date of the entry into force of this Convention. Thereafter, ordinary meetings shall be held every three years, or at shorter intervals as laid down in the rules of procedure. The Parties shall hold an extraordinary meeting if they so decide in the course of an ordinary meeting or at the written request of any Party, provided that, within six months of it being communicated to all Parties, the said request is supported by at least one third of the Parties.
2. At their meetings, the Parties shall keep under continuous review the implementation of this Convention, and, with this purpose in mind, shall:
(a) Review the policies for and methodological approaches to the protection and use of transboundary waters of the Parties with a view to further improving the protection and use of transboundary waters;
(b) Exchange information regarding experience gained in concluding and implementing bilateral and multilateral agreements or other arrangements regarding the protection and use of transboundary waters to which one or more of the Parties are party;
(c) Seek, where appropriate, the services of relevant ECE bodies as well as other competent international bodies and specific committees in all aspects pertinent to the achievement of the purposes of this Convention;
(d) At their first meeting, consider and by consensus adopt rules of procedure for their meetings;
(e) Consider and adopt proposals for amendments to this Convention;
(f) Consider and undertake any additional action that may be required for the achievement of the purposes of this Convention.

1. Except as provided for in paragraph 2 of this article, each Party to this Convention shall have one vote.
2. Regional economic integration organizations, in matters within their competence, shall exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their member States which are Parties to this Convention. Such organizations shall not exercise their right to vote if their member States exercise theirs, and vice versa.

The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe shall carry out the following secretariat functions:
(a) The convening and preparing of meetings of the Parties;
(b) The transmission to the Parties of reports and other information received in accordance with the provisions of this Convention;
(c) The performance of such other functions as may be determined by the Parties.

Annexes to this Convention shall constitute an integral part thereof.

1. Any Party may propose amendments to this Convention.
2. Proposals for amendments to this Convention shall be considered at a meeting of the Parties.
3. The text of any proposed amendment to this Convention shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe, who shall communicate it to all Parties at least ninety days before the meeting at which it is proposed for adoption.
4. An amendment to the present Convention shall be adopted by consensus of the representatives of the Parties to this Convention present at a meeting of the Parties, and shall enter into force for the Parties to the Convention which have accepted it on the ninetieth day after the date on which two thirds of those Parties have deposited with the Depositary their instruments of acceptance of the amendment. The amendment shall enter into force for any other Party on the ninetieth day after the date on which that Party deposits its instrument of acceptance of the amendment.

1. If a dispute arises between two or more 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.
2. When signing, ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention, or at any time thereafter, a 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 of the following means of dispute settlement as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting the same obligation:
(a) Submission of the dispute to the International Court of Justice;
(b) Arbitration in accordance with the procedure set out in annex IV.
3. If the parties to the dispute have accepted both means of dispute settlement referred to in paragraph 2 of this article, the dispute may be submitted only to the International Court of Justice, unless the parties agree otherwise.

This Convention shall be open for signature at Helsinki from 17 to 18 March 1992 inclusive, and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 18 September 1992, by States members of the Economic Commission for Europe as well as States having consultative status with the Economic Commission for Europe pursuant to paragraph 8 of Economic and Social Council resolution 36 (IV) of 28 March 1947, and by regional economic integration organizations constituted by sovereign States members of the Economic Commission for Europe to which their member States have transferred competence over matters governed by this Convention, including the competence to enter into treaties in respect of these matters.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall act as the Depositary of this Convention.

1. This Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by signatory States and regional economic integration organizations.
2. This Convention shall be open for accession by the States and organizations referred to in article 23.
3. Any organization referred to in article 23 which becomes a Party to this Convention without any of its member States being a Party shall be bound by all the obligations under this Convention. In the case of such organizations, one or more of whose member States is a Party to this Convention, the organization and its member States shall decide on their respective responsibilities for the performance of their obligations under this Convention. In such cases, the organization and the member States shall not be entitled to exercise rights under this Convention concurrently.
4. In their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the regional economic integration organizations referred to in article 23 shall declare the extent of their competence with respect to the matters governed by this Convention. These organizations shall also inform the Depositary of any substantial modification to the extent of their competence.

1. This Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the sixteenth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1 of this article, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by States members of such an organization.
3. For each State or organization referred to in article 23 which ratifies, accepts or approves this Convention or accedes thereto after the deposit of the sixteenth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit by such State or organization of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

At any time after three years from the date on which this Convention has come into force with respect to a Party, that Party may withdraw from the Convention by giving written notification to the Depositary. Any such withdrawal shall take effect on the ninetieth day after the date of its receipt by the Depositary.

The original of this Convention, of which the English, French and Russian texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Convention.
DONE at Helsinki, this seventeenth day of March one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two.

1. The term “best available technology“ is taken to mean the latest stage of development of processes, facilities or methods of operation which indicate the practical suitability of a particular measure for limiting discharges, emissions and waste. In determining whether a set of processes, facilities and methods of operation constitute the best available technology in general or individual cases, special consideration is given to:
(a) Comparable processes, facilities or methods of operation which have recently been successfully tried out;
(b) Technological advances and changes in scientific knowledge and understanding;
(c) The economic feasibility of such technology;
(d) Time limits for installation in both new and existing plants;
(e) The nature and volume of the discharges and effluents concerned;
(f) Low- and non-waste technology.
2. It therefore follows that what is “best available technology“ for a particular process will change with time in the light of technological advances, economic and social factors, as well as in the light of changes in scientific knowledge and understanding.

1. In selecting for individual cases the most appropriate combination of measures which may constitute the best environmental practice, the following graduated range of measures should be considered:
(a) Provision of information and education to the public and to users about the environmental consequences of the choice of particular activities and products, their use and ultimate disposal;
(b) The development and application of codes of good environmental practice which cover all aspects of the product’s life;
(c) Labels informing users of environmental risks related to a product, its use and ultimate disposal;
(d) Collection and disposal systems available to the public;
(e) Recycling, recovery and reuse;
(f) Application of economic instruments to activities, products or groups of products;
(g) A system of licensing, which involves a range of restrictions or a ban.
2. In determining what combination of measures constitute best environmental practices, in general or in individual cases, particular consideration should be given to:
(a) The environmental hazard of:
(i) The product;
(ii) The product’s production;
(iii) The product’s use;
(iv) The product’s ultimate disposal;
(b) Substitution by less polluting processes or substances;
(c) Scale of use;
(d) Potential environmental benefit or penalty of substitute materials or activities;
(e) Advances and changes in scientific knowledge and understanding;
(f) Time limits for implementation;
(g) Social and economic implications.
3. It therefore follows that best environmental practices for a particular source will change with time in the light of technological advances, economic and social factors, as well as in the light of changes in scientific knowledge and understanding.

Water-quality objectives and criteria shall:
(a) Take into account the aim of maintaining and, where necessary, improving the existing water quality;
(b) Aim at the reduction of average pollution loads (in particular hazardous substances) to a certain degree within a certain period of time;
(c) Take into account specific water-quality requirements (raw water for drinking-water purposes, irrigation, etc.);
(d) Take into account specific requirements regarding sensitive and specially protected waters and their environment, e.g. lakes and groundwater resources;
(e) Be based on the application of ecological classification methods and chemical indices for the medium- and long-term review of water-quality maintenance and improvement;
(f) Take into account the degree to which objectives are reached and the additional protective measures, based on emission limits, which may be required in individual cases.

1. In the event of a dispute being submitted for arbitration pursuant to article 22, paragraph 2 of this Convention, a party or parties shall notify the sčcretariat of the subject-matter of arbritration and indicate, in particular, the articles of this Convention whose interpretation or application is at issue. The secretariat shall forward the information received to all Parties to this Convention.
2. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three members. Both the claimant party or parties and the other party or parties to the dispute shall appoint an arbitrator, and the two arbitrators so appointed shall designate by common agreement the third arbitrator, who shall be the president of the arbitral tribunal. The latter shall not be a national of one of the parties to the dispute, nor have his or her usual place of residence in the territory of one of these parties, nor be employed by any of them, nor have dealt with the case in any other capacity.
3. If the president of the arbitral tribunal has not been designated within two months of the appointment of the second arbitrator, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe shall, at the request of either party to the dispute, designate the president within a further two-month period.
4. If one of the parties to the dispute does not appoint an arbitrator within two months of the receipt of the request, the other party may so inform the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe, who shall designate the president of the arbitral tribunal within a further two-month period. Upon designation, the president of the arbitral tribunal shall request the party which has not appointed an arbitrator to do so within two months. If it fails to do so within that period, the president shall so inform the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe, who shall make this appointment within a further two-month period.
5. The arbitral tribunal shall render its decision in accordance with international law and the provisions of this Convention.
6. Any arbitral tribunal constituted under the provisions set out in this annex shall draw up its own rules of procedure.
7. The decisions of the arbitral tribunal, both on procedure and on substance, shall be taken by majority vote of its members.
8. The tribunal may take all appropriate measures to establish the facts.
9. The parties to the dispute shall facilitate the work of the arbitral tribunal and, in particular, using all means at their disposal, shall:
(a) Provide it with all relevant documents, facilities and information;
(b) Enable it, where necessary, to call witnesses or experts and receive their evidence.
10. The parties and the arbitrators shall protect the confidentiality of any information they receive in confidence during the proceedings of the arbitral tribunal.
11. The arbitral tribunal may, at the request of one of the parties, recommend interim measures of protection.
12. If one of the parties to the dispute does not appear before the arbitral tribunal or fails to defend its case, the other party may request the tribunal to continue the proceedings and to render its final decision. Absence of a party or failure of a party to defend its case shall not constitute a bar to the proceedings.
13. The arbitral tribunal may hear and determine counter-claims arising directly out of the subject-matter of the dispute.
14. Unless the arbitral tribunal determines otherwise because of the particular circumstances of the case, the expenses of the tribunal, including the remuneration of its members, shall be borne by the parties to the dispute in equal shares. The tribunal shall keep a record of all its expenses, and shall furnish a final statement thereof to the parties.
15. Any Party to this Convention which has an interest of a legal nature in the subject-matter of the dispute, and which may be affected by a decision in the case, may intervene in the proceedings with the consent of the tribunal.
16. The arbitral tribunal shall render its award within five months of the date on which it is established, unless it finds it necessary to extend the time limit for a period which should not exceed five months.
17. The award of the arbitral tribunal shall be accompanied by a statement of reasons. It shall be final and binding upon all parties to the dispute. The award will be transmitted by the arbitral tribunal to the parties to the dispute and to the secretariat. The secretariat will forward the information received to all Parties to this Convention.
18. Any dispute which may arise between the parties concerning the interpretation or execution of the award may be submitted by either party to the arbitral tribunal which made the award or, if the latter cannot be seized thereof, to another tribunal constituted for this purpose in the same manner as the first.

Pogodbenice te konvencije, ki
se zavedajo, da sta varstvo in uporaba čezmejnih vodotokov in mednarodnih jezer pomembni in nujni nalogi, ki ju je mogoče učinkovito izpolniti samo z okrepljenim sodelovanjem,
so zaskrbljene zaradi obstoja in nevarnosti škodljivih kratkoročnih ali dolgoročnih vplivov sprememb stanja čezmejnih vodotokov in mednarodnih jezer na okolje, gospodarstvo in blaginjo držav članic Ekonomske komisije za Evropo (EKE),
poudarjajo potrebo po okrepljenih nacionalnih in mednarodnih ukrepih za preprečitev, nadzor in zmanjšanje izpustov nevarnih snovi v vodno okolje in za znižanje evtrofikacije in zakisljevanja kot tudi onesnaževanja morskega okolja, še posebno obalnih območij, iz virov s kopnega,
izrekajo pohvalo vladam EKE za njihova dosedanja prizadevanja, da bi okrepile sodelovanje na dvostranskih in večstranskih ravneh za preprečitev, nadzor in zmanjšanje čezmejnega onesnaževanja, za trajnostno gospodarjenje z vodami, za ohranitev vodnih virov in varstvo okolja,
opozarjajo na ustrezne določbe in načela Deklaracije Stocholmske konference o človekovem okolju, Sklepne listine Konference o varnosti in sodelovanju v Evropi (KVSE), sklepnih dokumentov Madridskega in Dunajskega sestanka predstavnikov držav udeleženk KVSE in Regionalne strategije za varstvo okolja in racionalno uporabo naravnih virov v državah članicah EKE za obdobje do leta 2000 in kasneje,
se zavedajo vloge Ekonomske komisije Združenih narodov za Evropo pri spodbujanju mednarodnega sodelovanja za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjšanje čezmejnega onesnaževanja voda in za trajnostno uporabo čezmejnih voda in glede na to opozarjajo na Deklaracijo EKE o politiki preprečevanja in nadzora onesnaževanja voda, vključno s čezmejnim onesnaževanjem, Deklaracijo EKE o politiki racionalne uporabe voda, na Načela EKE glede sodelovanja na področju čezmejnih voda, na Listino EKE o gospodarjenju s podtalnimi vodami in na Kodeks ravnanja pri naključnem onesnaženju čezmejnih kopenskih voda,
se sklicujejo na sklepe I (42) in I (44), ki jih je sprejela Ekonomska komisija za Evropo na svojem dvainštiridesetem oziroma štiriinštiridesetem zasedanju ter na izid sestanka KVSE o varstvu okolja (Sofija, Bolgarija, 16. oktober – 3. november 1989),
poudarjajo, da je treba sodelovanje glede varstva in uporabe čezmejnih voda med državami članicami uresničevati s sklepanjem sporazumov predvsem med državami, ki mejijo na iste vode, kjer takšen sporazum še ni bil dosežen,
so se sporazumele o naslednjem:

V tej konvenciji:
1. “čezmejne vode“ pomenijo vse površinske ali podtalne vode, ki potekajo po mejni črti med dvema ali več državami, ki tečejo čez to mejno črto ali potekajo ob njej, kadar se čezmejne vode izlivajo v morje, se te čezmejne vode končajo v ravni črti, ki poteka med dvema točkama nasprotnih bregov pri stanju gladine ob oseki;
2. “čezmejni vpliv“ pomeni vsak večji škodljiv vpliv na okolje, ki izhaja iz spremembe stanja čezmejnih voda in ga povzroča človekova dejavnost, fizični izvor, ki je v celoti ali delno na območju, ki je pod jurisdikcijo pogodbenice, na območje, ki je pod jurisdikcijo druge pogodbenice. Taki vplivi na okolje vključujejo vplive na človekovo zdravje in varnost, rastlinstvo, živalstvo, tla, zrak, vodo, podnebje, pokrajino in zgodovinsko ali naravno dediščino ali medsebojno vplivanje med temi dejavniki; vključujejo tudi vplive na kulturno dediščino ali družbenoekonomske okoliščine, ki so posledica sprememb teh dejavnikov;
3. “pogodbenica“ pomeni pogodbenico te konvencije, če ni v besedilu navedeno drugače;
4. “obrežne pogodbenice“ pomeni pogodbenice, ki mejijo na iste čezmejne vode;
5. “skupno telo“ pomeni dvostransko ali večstransko komisijo ali druge ustrezne institucionalne dogovore za sodelovanje med obrežnimi pogodbenicami;
6. “nevarne snovi“ pomeni snovi, ki so strupene, karcinogene, povzročajo mutagene in teratogene pomanjkljivosti ali so bioakumulativne, zlasti če so trajno prisotne;
7. “najboljša razpoložljiva tehnologija“ (opredelitev pojma je vključena v Prilogi I k tej konvenciji).

1. Pogodbenice sprejmejo ustrezne ukrepe za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjšanje čezmejnih vplivov.
2. Pogodbenice še posebej sprejmejo vse ustrezne ukrepe:
a) za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjšanje onesnaževanja voda, ki povzroča ali bi lahko povzročilo čezmejne vplive;
b) da zagotovijo, da se čezmejne vode uporabljajo s ciljem ekološko sprejemljivega in smotrnega gospodarjenja z vodo, ohranitve vodnih virov in varstva okolja;
c) da zagotovijo, da se čezmejne vode uporabljajo sprejemljivo in pravično, še zlasti upoštevajoč njihov čezmejni potencial, ki vpliva ali bi lahko vplival čez meje;
d) da zagotovijo ohranitev ekosistemov in njihovo ponovno vzpostavitev, kjer je to potrebno.
3. Če je to mogoče, se ukrepi za preprečitev, nadzor in zmanjšanje onesnaževanja voda izvajajo na samem izvoru.
4. Neposredna ali posredna posledica teh ukrepov ne sme biti prenos onesnaževanja v druga okolja.
5. Pri ukrepih iz prvega in drugega odstavka tega člena se pogodbenice ravnajo po teh načelih:
a) preventivno načelo, na temelju katerega ni dovoljeno odlašati z dejanjem, s katerim bi se izognili morebitnemu čezmejnemu vplivu izpustov nevarnih snovi, ker strokovno v celoti še niso dokazane povezave med temi snovmi na eni strani in morebitnim čezmejnim vplivom na drugi strani;
b) načelo “onesnaževalec plača“, na temelju katerega stroške ukrepov za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjšanje onesnaževanja krije onesnaževalec;
c) z vodnimi viri je treba gospodariti tako, da zadovoljimo potrebe sedanje generacije, ne da bi ogrozili možnosti prihodnjih generacij, da zadovoljijo njihove lastne potrebe.
6. Obrežne pogodbenice sodelujejo na podlagi enakosti in vzajemnosti, posebno še z dvostranskimi in večstranskimi sporazumi, da bi razvile usklajeno politiko, programe in strategije, ki se nanašajo na določena prispevna območja ali njihove dele in katerih cilj je preprečitev, nadzor in zmanjševanje čezmejnih vplivov in varovanje okolja čezmejnih voda ali okolja, na katero te vode vplivajo, vključno z morskim okoljem.
7. Uporaba te konvencije ne sme voditi k slabšanju razmer v okolju in tudi ne k povečanju čezmejnih vplivov.
8. Določbe te konvencije ne vplivajo na pravico pogodbenic, da posamezno ali skupaj sprejmejo in izvajajo strožje ukrepe, kot so ukrepi, ki jih določa ta konvencija.

1. Za preprečitev, nadzor in zmanjševanje čezmejnih vplivov pogodbenice razvijajo, sprejemajo in uresničujejo, ter če je mogoče, uskladijo ustrezne zakonske, upravne, ekonomske, finančne in tehnične ukrepe, da bi med drugim zagotovile:
a) preprečevanje, nadzorovanje in zmanjševanje emisij snovi, ki onesnažujejo na samem viru, med drugim z uporabo take tehnologije, pri kateri je malo ali nič odpadkov;
b) varstvo čezmejnih voda pred onesnaževanjem iz točkovnih virov s predhodno pridobitvijo dovoljenja za izpuste odpadnih voda, ki ga izdajo pristojni državni organi, in z nadzorom ter kontrolo dovoljenih izpustov;
c) da omejitve za izpuste odpadnih voda, ki so navedene v dovoljenjih, temeljijo na najboljši razpoložljivi tehnologiji za izpuste nevarnih snovi;
d) strožje zahteve, ki bi lahko vodile tudi do prepovedi v posameznih primerih, če to zahteva kakovost voda v katere se izlivajo ali ekosistem;
e) uporabo vsaj biološkega čiščenja ali enakovrednih postopkov za komunalno odpadno vodo, če je to potrebno;
f) sprejetje primernih ukrepov, kot je uporaba najboljše razpoložljive tehnologije, da se zmanjša vnos hranil iz industrijskih in komunalnih virov;
g) razvoj in izvedbo primernih ukrepov in najboljše okoljske prakse za zmanjšanje vnosa hranil in nevarnih snovi iz razpršenih virov, zlasti kjer so glavni viri iz poljedelstva (smernice za razvijanje najboljše okoljske prakse so v Prilogi II k tej konvenciji);
h) uporabo presoje vplivov na okolje in drugih sredstev za presojo;
i) spodbujanje trajnostnega gospodarjenja z vodnimi viri, vključno z uporabo ukrepov za ohranjanje okolja;
j) razvoj načrtov izrednih ukrepov;
k) dodatne posebne ukrepe za preprečitev onesnaževanja podtalnih voda;
l) čim večje zmanjšanje nevarnosti izrednega onesnaženja.
2. V ta namen vsaka pogodbenica določi mejne emisijske vrednosti izpustov snovi iz točkovnih virov v površinske vode na podlagi najboljše razpoložljive tehnologije, ki se mora še posebej uvajati v posamezne industrijske sektorje ali industrijske panoge, ki povzročajo emisije nevarnih snovi v okolje. Ustrezni ukrepi, omenjeni v prvem odstavku tega člena, za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjševanje vnosa nevarnih snovi iz točkovnih in razpršenih virov onesnaževanja v vode, lahko med drugim vključujejo popolno ali delno prepoved proizvodnje ali uporabe takih snovi. Pri tem je treba upoštevati obstoječe sezname industrijskih sektorjev in industrijskih panog ter nevarnih snovi, določenih v mednarodnih konvencijah ali predpisih, ki se uporabljajo na področjih, na katera se nanaša ta konvencija.
3. Poleg tega vsaka pogodbenica določi, če je to primerno, cilje za kakovost voda in sprejme kriterije za kakovost voda z namenom preprečevanja, nadziranja in zmanjševanja čezmejnih vplivov. Splošne smernice za razvoj teh ciljev in meril so v Prilogi III k tej konvenciji. Ko je to potrebno, si pogodbenice prizadevajo to prilogo sproti dopolnjevati.

Pogodbenice pripravijo programe za monitoring stanja čezmejnih voda.

Pogodbenice sodelujejo pri raziskavah in razvoju učinkovitih tehnologij za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjševanje čezmejnih vplivov. S tem namenom si pogodbenice na dvostranski in/ali večstranski podlagi, upoštevajoč rezultate raziskav, ki se izvajajo v ustreznih mednarodnih ustanovah, prizadevajo začeti ali okrepiti posebne raziskovalne programe, katerih cilj so med drugim in po potrebi:
a) metode za določanje strupenosti nevarnih snovi in škodljivosti snovi, ki onesnažujejo okolje;
b) poglobljeno znanje o prisotnosti, širjenju in okoljskih učinkih snovi, ki onesnažujejo okolje, in spremljajočih procesih;
c) razvoj in uporaba okolju prijaznih tehnologij, načinov proizvodnje in potrošnje;
d) postopno zmanjševanje uporabe in/ali nadomeščanje snovi, ki bi lahko povzročale čezmejne vplive;
e) okolju sprejemljivi načini odlaganja nevarnih snovi;
f) ustrezni načini za izboljšanje stanja čezmejnih voda;
g) razvoj za okolje sprejemljivih vodnogospodarskih objektov in ukrepov;
h) fizično in finančno ocenjevanje škode, ki jo povzročajo čezmejni vplivi;
Rezultate teh raziskovalnih programov si pogodbenice med seboj izmenjujejo v skladu s 6. členom te konvencije.

Pogodbenice poskrbijo za najširšo in čim prejšnjo izmenjavo informacij o zadevah, na katere se nanašajo določbe te konvencije.

Pogodbenice podpirajo ustrezna mednarodna prizadevanja za pripravo pravil, meril in postopkov glede nematerialnih in materialnih odgovornosti.

Določbe te konvencije ne vplivajo na pravice ali obveznosti pogodbenic, da v skladu z njihovimi notranjepravnimi sistemi in ustreznimi nadnacionalnimi predpisi varujejo podatke, ki se nanašajo na industrijsko in poslovno tajnost, vključno z intelektualno lastnino ali državno varnostjo.

1. Obrežne pogodbenice na podlagi enakosti in vzajemnosti sklepajo dvostranske ali večstranske sporazume ali druge dogovore, če jih še ni, ali prilagodijo že obstoječe, če je to potrebno, da bi odpravile nasprotja z osnovnimi načeli te konvencije, zato da bi določile njihova vzajemna razmerja in ravnanje glede preprečevanja, nadzora in zmanjševanja čezmejnih vplivov. Obrežne pogodbenice določijo prispevna območja ali njihov(e) del(e), ki so predmet sodelovanja. Ti sporazumi ali dogovori vsebujejo tako tista vprašanja, ki jih ureja ta konvencija, kot tudi katera koli druga vprašanja, pri katerih obrežne pogodbenice menijo, da je sodelovanje potrebno.
2. V sporazumih ali dogovorih iz prvega odstavka tega člena je treba predvideti ustanovitev skupnih teles. Naloge teh skupnih teles so med drugim in brez škode za že obstoječe take sporazume ali dogovore:
a) zbiranje, analiza in vrednotenje podatkov za določitev virov onesnaževanja, ki utegnejo povzročati čezmejne vplive;
b) izdelovanje skupnih programov za monitoring kakovosti in količine voda;
c) priprava zbirk podatkov in izmenjava informacij o virih onesnaževanja iz točke a) drugega odstavka tega člena;
d) določanje mejnih emisijskih vrednosti odpadnih voda in vrednotenje učinkovitosti nadzornih programov;
e) priprava skupnih ciljev in meril za kakovost voda v skladu z določbo tretjega odstavka 3. člena te konvencije in predlaganje ustreznih ukrepov, če je to potrebno, za vzdrževanje in izboljšanje obstoječe kakovosti voda;
f) razvijanje skupnih programov aktivnosti za zmanjšanje obremenitev onesnaževanja tako iz točkovnih virov (npr. komunalni in industrijski viri) kot tudi iz razpršenih virov (še posebej iz kmetijstva);
g) vzpostavitev opozorilnih in alarmnih sistemov;
h) delovati kot središče za izmenjavo informacij o obstoječi in načrtovani uporabi voda in z njimi povezanimi objekti in napravami, ki bi lahko povzročile čezmejni vpliv;
i) spodbujati sodelovanje in izmenjavo informacij o najboljši razpoložljivi tehnologiji v skladu z določbami 13. člena te konvencije kot tudi spodbujati sodelovanje pri znanstvenoraziskovalnih programih;
j) sodelovanje pri presoji vplivov na okolje, ki se nanaša na čezmejne vode, v skladu z ustreznimi mednarodnimi predpisi.
3. Če je obalna država pogodbenica te konvencije neposredno in znatno prizadeta zaradi čezmejnega vpliva, lahko obrežne pogodbenice, če se tako vse sporazumejo, povabijo to obalno državo, da se ustrezno vključi v dejavnosti večstranskih skupnih teles, ki jih ustanovijo obrežne pogodbenice.
4. Skupna delovna telesa v skladu s to konvencijo povabijo k sodelovanju skupna telesa, ki so jih ustanovile obalne države za varstvo morskega okolja, ki je neposredno prizadeto zaradi čezmejnih vplivov, da bi usklajevali njihovo delo ter preprečevali, nadzorovali in zmanjševali čezmejne vplive.
5. Če obstajata dve ali več skupnih delovnih teles na istem prispevnem območju, si prizadevajo uskladiti svoje dejavnosti, da bi okrepili preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjševanje čezmejnih vplivov na tem prispevnem območju.

Med obrežnimi pogodbenicami potekajo posvetovanja na prošnjo katere koli pogodbenice, na podlagi vzajemnosti, v dobri veri in na podlagi dobrega sosedstva. Namen teh posvetovanj je sodelovanje pri vprašanjih, na katere se nanašajo določbe te konvencije. Vsako tako posvetovanje poteka v skupnem delovnem telesu, ustanovljenem v skladu z 9. členom te konvencije, če to obstaja.

1. V okviru splošnega sodelovanja, ki se omenja v 9. členu te konvencije ali posebnih dogovorih, obrežne pogodbenice pripravijo in izvajajo skupne programe za monitoring čezmejnih voda, vključno s poplavami in premiki ledu, kot tudi čezmejnega vpliva.
2. Obrežne pogodbenice se sporazumejo o parametrih onesnaževanja in o snoveh, ki onesnažujejo okolje, katerih izpust in koncentracijo v čezmejnih vodah je treba redno izvajati monitoring.
3. Obrežne pogodbenice redno izvajajo skupne ali usklajene presoje stanja čezmejnih voda ter učinkovitost ukrepov, ki so bili uvedeni za preprečitev, nadzor in zmanjšanje čezmejnega vpliva. Rezultati teh presoj morajo biti dostopni javnosti v skladu z določbami 16. člena te konvencije.
4. Obrežne pogodbenice za te namene uskladijo pravila za pripravo in izvajanje programov monitoringa, sistema meritev, merilnih naprav, tehnike analiz ter obdelave podatkov in postopkov vrednotenja ter metod vodenja evidence o izpustih snovi, ki onesnažujejo okolje.

V okviru splošnega sodelovanja, omenjenega v 9. členu te konvencije ali posebnih dogovorih, obrežne pogodbenice začnejo izvajati posebne raziskovalne in razvojne dejavnosti, da bi podprle in vzdrževale cilje glede kakovosti vode in merila, za katera so se dogovorile, da jih bodo določile in sprejele.

1. Obrežne pogodbenice v okviru ustreznih sporazumov ali drugih dogovorov v skladu z 9. členom te konvencije izmenjujejo ustrezne podatke, ki so na razpolago, med drugim o:
a) okoljskem stanju čezmejnih voda;
b) pridobljenih izkušnjah pri uporabi in delovanju najboljše razpoložljive tehnologije ter o rezultatih raziskav in razvoja;
c) podatkih o emisijah in monitoringu;
d) nameravanih in že sprejetih ukrepih za preprečevanje, nadzor in zmanjševanje čezmejnega vpliva;
e) dovoljenjih ali predpisih za izpust odpadne vode, ki jih izda pristojni ali drug ustrezen organ.
2. Obrežne pogodbenice izmenjujejo informacije o svojih notranjih predpisih, da bi uskladile mejne emisijske vrednosti.
3. Če obrežna pogodbenica prosi drugo obrežno pogodbenico, naj ji priskrbi podatke ali informacije, ki niso na voljo, si druga obrežna pogodbenica prizadeva prošnji ugoditi, vendar lahko izpolnitev pogojuje s tem, da pogodbenica prosilka plača razumne stroške za pridobitev, in če je to ustrezno, tudi za obdelavo teh podatkov ali informacij.
4. Zaradi izvajanja te konvencije obrežne pogodbenice pospešujejo izmenjavo najboljše razpoložljive tehnologije zlasti s spodbujanjem trgovinske menjave razpoložljive tehnologije, neposrednih gospodarskih stikov in sodelovanja, vključno s skupnimi vlaganji, izmenjave informacij in izkušenj in zagotavljanje tehnične pomoči. Obrežne pogodbenice prevzamejo tudi skupne programe usposabljanja in organizacijo ustreznih seminarjev in srečanj.

Obrežne pogodbenice morajo nemudoma obvestiti druga drugo o vsakem kriznem stanju, ki bi lahko imelo čezmejni vpliv. Če je to potrebno, obrežne pogodbenice vzpostavijo in upravljajo usklajene ali skupne komunikacijske sisteme za opozarjanje in alarmiranje, da bi pridobile in posredovale informacije. Ti sistemi delujejo na podlagi postopkov in naprav za prenos in obdelavo podatkov, o katerih se dogovorijo obrežne pogodbenice. Obrežne pogodbenice obveščajo druga drugo o pristojnih organih ali mestih za stike, ki jih za to določijo.

1. Če bi prišlo do kriznih razmer, si obrežne pogodbenice na prošnjo med seboj pomagajo po postopkih v skladu z drugim odstavkom tega člena.
2. Obrežne pogodbenice sporazumno določijo postopke za vzajemno pomoč, ki se med drugim nanašajo na:
a) vodenje, spremljanje, usklajevanje in nadzor pomoči;
b) lokalne objekte in opremo ter storitve pogodbenice, ki je zaprosila za pomoč, vključno z ureditvijo formalnosti prehoda čez mejo, če je to potrebno;
c) dogovore o povrnitvi škode, odškodnini in/ali nadomestilih pogodbenici, ki pomaga, in/ali njenemu osebju kot tudi o prehodu čez ozemlje tretjih pogodbenic, če je to potrebno;
d) načine povračila stroškov pomoči.

1. Obrežne pogodbenice zagotovijo, da so javnosti na voljo informacije o stanju čezmejnih voda, ukrepih, ki so izvedeni ali načrtovani za preprečevanje, nadzorovanje in zmanjševanje čezmejnih vplivov, ter o učinkovitosti teh ukrepov. Za to obrežne pogodbenice zagotovijo, da so javnosti na voljo informacije o:
a) ciljnih vrednostih kakovosti voda;
b) izdanih dovoljenjih in pogojih, ki jih je treba izpolniti;
c) rezultatih vzorcev vode in izpustov, vzetih zaradi monitoringa ter presoje, kot tudi o rezultatih preverjanja skladnosti s ciljnimi vrednostmi kakovosti voda ali s pogoji iz dovoljenj.
2. Obrežne pogodbenice zagotovijo, da so te informacije kadar koli brezplačno na vpogled javnosti in posameznikom omogočijo, da od obrežnih pogodbenic dobijo kopije teh informacij za primerno plačilo.

l. Prvi sestanek pogodbenic se skliče najkasneje eno leto po dnevu začetka veljavnosti te konvencije. Zatem se pogodbenice redno sestajajo vsaka tri leta ali v krajših časovnih presledkih, kot določa poslovnik. Pogodbenice se sestanejo na izrednem sestanku, če se tako odločijo med rednim sestankom ali na pisno prošnjo katere koli pogodbenice, pod pogojem, da jo v šestih mesecih potem, ko je bila poslana vsem pogodbenicam, podpre najmanj ena tretjina pogodbenic.
2. Na svojih sestankih pogodbenice nenehno pregledujejo izvajanje te konvencije ter zavedajoč se tega:
a) pregledujejo politike in metodološke pristope za varstvo in uporabo čezmejnih voda pogodbenic, da bi še bolj izboljšale varstvo in uporabo čezmejnih voda;
b) izmenjujejo podatke glede pridobljenih izkušenj pri sklepanju in izvajanju dvostranskih in večstranskih sporazumov ali drugih dogovorov glede varstva in uporabe čezmejnih voda, katerih pogodbenice so ena ali več pogodbenic te konvencije;
c) iščejo, če je to potrebno, pomoč ustreznih organov EKE kot tudi drugih pristojnih mednarodnih organov in posebnih odborov za doseganje ciljev te konvencije;
d) na svojem prvem sestanku proučijo in s soglasjem sprejmejo poslovnik za svoje sestanke;
e) proučijo in sprejmejo predloge za spremembe te konvencije;
f) proučijo in sprejmejo katere koli dodatne ukrepe, ki bi lahko bili potrebni za doseganje namenov te konvencije.

1. Vsaka pogodbenica te konvencije ima en glas, razen če je drugače določeno v drugem odstavku tega člena.
2. Regionalne organizacije za gospodarsko povezovanje lahko v zadevah, ki so v njihovi pristojnosti, uresničujejo svojo pravico do glasovanja s številom glasov, ki je enako številu njihovih držav članic, ki so pogodbenice te konvencije. Take organizacije ne smejo uresničevati pravice do glasovanja, če to uresničujejo njene države članice, in obratno.

Izvršilni sekretar Ekonomske komisije za Evropo opravlja te naloge sekretariata:
a) sklicevanje in priprava sestankov pogodbenic;
b) pošiljanje poročil in drugih prejetih podatkov pogodbenicam v skladu z določbami te konvencije;
c) opravljanje drugih nalog, kot jih lahko določijo pogodbenice.

Priloge k tej konvenciji so sestavni del te konvencije.

l. Vsaka pogodbenica lahko predlaga spremembe te konvencije.
2. Predlogi za spremembe te konvencije se obravnavajo na sestanku pogodbenic.
3. Besedilo vsake predlagane spremembe te konvencije se predloži pisno izvršilnemu sekretarju Ekonomske komisije za Evropo, ki ga pošlje vsem pogodbenicam najmanj devetdeset dni pred sestankom, na katerem naj bi bila sprememba sprejeta.
4. Sprememba te konvencije se sprejme s soglasjem predstavnikov pogodbenic te konvencije, ki so prisotni na sestanku pogodbenic in za pogodbenice konvencije, ki so jo sprejele, začne veljati devetdeseti dan po datumu, ko sta dve tretjini teh pogodbenic deponirali pri depozitarju svoje listine o sprejetju spremembe. Za vsako drugo pogodbenico začne sprememba veljati devetdeseti dan po datumu, ko je ta pogodbenica deponirala svojo listino o sprejetju spremembe.

1. Če med dvema ali več pogodbenicami pride do spora glede razlage ali uporabe te konvencije, ga poskušajo rešiti s pogajanji ali drugimi sredstvi reševanja sporov, sprejemljivimi za stranke v sporu.
2. Pogodbenica lahko pisno izjavi depozitarju ob podpisu, ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu k tej konvenciji ali kadar koli kasneje, da za spor, ki ni rešen v skladu s prvim odstavkom tega člena, sprejme enega ali oba od naslednjih načinov reševanja sporov kot obveznega glede katere koli pogodbenice, ki je sprejela isto obveznost:
a) predložitev spora Meddržavnemu sodišču;
b) arbitražo v skladu s postopkom, določenim v Prilogi IV.
3. Če so stranke v sporu sprejele obe možnosti reševanja spora, ki ju omenja drugi odstavek tega člena, se sme spor predložiti samo Mednarodnemu sodišču, razen če se stranke ne dogovorijo drugače.

Ta konvencija je na voljo za podpis v Helsinkih od 17. do vključno 18. marca 1992 in nato na sedežu Združenih narodov v New Yorku do 18. septembra 1992 za države članice Ekonomske komisije za Evropo kot tudi države, ki imajo posvetovalni status v Ekonomski komisiji za Evropo v skladu z osmim odstavkom resolucije Ekonomsko socialnega sveta 36 (IV) z dne 28. marca 1947 ter za regionalne organizacije za gospodarsko povezovanje, ki so jih ustanovile suverene države članice Ekonomske komisije za Evropo, na katere so njihove države članice prenesle pristojnost glede zadev, ki jih ureja ta konvencija, vključno s pristojnostjo, da sklepajo mednarodne pogodbe o teh zadevah.

Depozitar te konvencije je generalni sekretar Združenih narodov.

1. To konvencijo ratificirajo, sprejmejo ali odobrijo države podpisnice in regionalne organizacije za gospodarsko povezovanje.
2. K tej konvenciji lahko pristopijo države in organizacije, omenjene v 23. členu.
3. Katero koli organizacijo, omenjeno v 23. členu, ki postane pogodbenica te konvencije, ne da bi bila katera njena država članica pogodbenica, obvezujejo vse obveznosti iz te konvencije. Ko je ena ali več držav članic take organizacije pogodbenica te konvencije, organizacija in njene države članice odločajo o svojih odgovornostih za izpolnjevanje obveznosti iz te konvencije. V teh primerih organizacija in njene države članice ne morejo hkrati uresničevati pravic iz te konvencije.
4. Regionalne organizacije za gospodarsko povezovanje, omenjene v 23. členu, v listinah o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu navedejo obseg svojih pristojnosti glede zadev, ki jih ureja ta konvencija. Te organizacije tudi obvestijo depozitarja o vsaki večji spremembi obsega njihovih pristojnosti.

1. Ta konvencija začne veljati devetdeseti dan po datumu deponiranja šestnajste listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu.
2. Za namene prvega odstavka tega člena se listina, ki jo deponira regionalna organizacija za gospodarsko povezovanje, ne šteje kot dodatna listina k tistim, ki so jih deponirale države članice te organizacije.
3. Za vsako državo ali organizacijo, omenjeno v 23. členu, ki ratificira, sprejme ali odobri to konvencijo ali k njej pristopi po deponiranju šestnajste listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu, začne konvencija veljati devetdeseti dan po datumu deponiranja njene listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu.

Pogodbenica lahko to konvencijo odpove kadar koli po treh letih od dneva, ko je ta konvencija za to pogodbenico začela veljati, tako da preda pisno obvestilo depozitarju. Vsaka taka odpoved začne veljati devetdeseti dan po datumu, ko ga depozitar prejme.

Izvirnik te konvencije, katere besedila v angleškem, francoskem in ruskem besedilu so enako verodostojna, je deponiran pri generalnem sekretarju Združenih narodov.
Da bi to potrdili, so podpisani, ki so bili za to pravilno pooblaščeni, podpisali to konvencijo.
Sklenjeno v Helsinkih sedemnajstega marca tisoč devetsto dvaindevetdesetega leta.

1. Izraz “najboljša razpoložljiva tehnologija“ pomeni najnovejšo stopnjo razvoja postopkov, opreme ali metod obratovanja, ki kažejo primernost določenega ukrepa v praksi za omejevanje izpustov, emisij in odpadkov. Pri ugotavljanju, ali pomeni določen sklop postopkov, opreme in metod obratovanja pomeni najboljšo razpoložljivo tehnologijo na splošno ali v določenih primerih, se še posebej presojajo:
a) primerljivi postopki, oprema ali metode obratovanja, ki so bili pred kratkim uspešno preizkušeni;
b) tehnološki napredek in spremembe pri znanstvenih spoznanjih in razumevanju;
c) gospodarska upravičenost takšne tehnologije;
d) časovni roki pri vgradnji v nove in obstoječe obrate;
e) narava in obseg obravnavanih izpustov in iztokov odpadnih voda;
f) tehnologija z malo ali brez odpadnih snovi.
2. Iz tega izhaja, da se bo “najboljša razpoložljiva tehnologija“ za posamezen postopek s časom spreminjala glede na tehnološki napredek, gospodarske in družbene dejavnike kot tudi glede na spremembe pri znanstvenih spoznanjih in razumevanju.

1. Pri izbiri najustreznejše kombinacije ukrepov za posamezne primere, ki lahko pomenijo najboljšo okoljsko prakso, je treba ukrepe presoditi po naslednjem vrstnem redu:
a) obveščanje in izobraževanje javnosti in uporabnikov o okoljskih posledicah, ki jih prinaša izbira določene dejavnosti in izdelkov, njihove uporabe in končnega odlaganja;
b) razvoj in uporaba pravil za najboljšo okoljsko prakso, ki vključujejo vse vidike življenjske dobe določenega izdelka;
c) nalepke, ki obveščajo uporabnike o okoljskem tveganju, ki ga povzročajo izdelek, njegova uporaba in končno odlaganje;
d) sistemi zbiranja in odlaganja, ki so na voljo javnosti;
e) reciklaža, vračanje in ponovna uporaba;
f) uporaba ekonomskih instrumentov za dejavnosti, izdelke ali skupine izdelkov;
g) sistem podeljevanja dovoljenj, ki vključuje vrsto omejitev ali prepoved.
2. Pri ugotavljanju, katera kombinacija ukrepov pomeni najboljšo okoljsko prakso na splošno in v posameznih primerih, je treba še posebej upoštevati:
a) okoljsko tveganje zaradi:
(i) izdelka;
(ii) proizvodnje izdelka;
(iii) uporabe izdelka;
(iv) končnega odlaganja izdelka;
b) nadomestitev s postopki ali snovmi, ki manj onesnažujejo;
c) obsega uporabe;
d) možne koristi ali škodljivosti, ki jo nadomestni material ali dejavnosti pomenijo za okolje;
e) napredka in spremembe pri znanstvenih spoznanjih in razumevanju;
f) časovni rok pri izvajanju;
g) družbenih in gospodarskih posledic.
3. Iz tega izhaja, da se bo najboljša okoljska praksa za posamezen vir spreminjala glede na tehnološki napredek, gospodarske in družbene dejavnike kot tudi glede na spremembe pri znanstvenih spoznanjih in razumevanju.

Ciljne vrednosti in merila za kakovost vode morajo:
a) upoštevati cilj ohranjanja, in če je potrebno, izboljšati kakovost vode;
b) si prizadevati za zmanjšanje povprečnih obremenitev onesnaževanja (zlasti nevarnih snovi) do določene stopnje v določenem časovnem obdobju;
c) upoštevati določene zahteve v zvezi s kakovostjo vode (neobdelana voda, ki se uporablja za pitno vodo, za namakanje npr.);
d) upoštevati določene zahteve v zvezi z občutljivimi in posebej varovanimi vodami in njihovim okoljem, npr. jezeri in podtalnimi vodami;
e) temeljiti na uporabi metod ekološke razvrstitve in kemičnih pokazateljev za presojo srednjeročnega in dolgoročnega ohranjanja in izboljšanja kakovosti voda;
f) upoštevati doseženo stopnjo uresničitve ciljev in dodatne varstvene ukrepe, temelječe na mejnih emisijskih vrednostih, ki se lahko zahtevajo za posamezne primere.

1. V primeru spora, ki je bil predložen arbitraži v skladu z drugim odstavkom 22. člena te konvencije, stranka ali stranke obvestijo sekretariat o predmetu arbitraže in še posebej navedejo tiste člene te konvencije, katerih razlaga ali uporaba je vprašljiva. Sekretariat prejete informacije pošlje vsem pogodbenicam te konvencije.
2. Arbitražno sodišče sestavljajo trije člani. Tožeča stranka ali stranke in druga stranka ali stranke v sporu imenujejo arbitra in ta dva tako imenovana arbitra sporazumno imenujeta tretjega arbitra, ki bo predsednik arbitražnega sodišča. Ta ne sme biti državljan katere od pogodbenic v sporu, ne sme imeti običajnega bivališča na ozemlju katere od strank v sporu, niti ne sme biti zaposlen pri njih ali se z zadevo ukvarjati v kakršni koli drugi vlogi.
3. Če predsednik arbitražnega sodišča ni bil imenovan v dveh mesecih od imenovanja drugega arbitra, izvršilni sekretar Ekonomske komisije za Evropo na zahtevo ene od strank v sporu določi predsednika v nadaljnjem dvomesečnem obdobju.
4. Če ena od strank v sporu v dveh mesecih od prejema zahteve arbitra ne imenuje, lahko druga pogodbenica obvesti izvršilnega sekretarja Ekonomske komisije za Evropo, ki imenuje predsednika arbitražnega sodišča v naslednjih dveh mesecih. Po imenovanju predsednik arbitražnega sodišča od stranke v sporu, ki ni imenovala arbitra, zahteva, da to stori v dveh mesecih. Če stranka v sporu tega ne stori v tem obdobju, predsednik obvesti izvršilnega sekretarja Ekonomske komisije za Evropo, ki to imenovanje opravi v nadaljnjem dvomesečnem obdobju.
5. Arbitražno sodišče odloča v skladu z mednarodnim pravom in določbami te konvencije.
6. Vsako arbitražno sodišče, sestavljeno po določbah te priloge, sestavi svoj poslovnik.
7. Arbitražno sodišče sprejema odločitve o postopku in o vsebini z večino glasov svojih članov.
8. Sodišče lahko sprejme vse ustrezne ukrepe za ugotovitev dejstev.
9. Stranke v sporu, ob uporabi vseh sredstev, ki so jim na voljo, olajšajo delo arbitražnega sodišča, še posebej pa mu:
a) zagotovijo vse ustrezne dokumente, pripomočke in podatke;
b) omogočijo, če je to potrebno, da pokliče priče ali strokovnjake in jih zasliši.
10. Stranke in arbitri zaščitijo zaupnost vseh podatkov, ki so jih prejele kot zaupne med postopki arbitražnega sodišča.
11. Arbitražno sodišče lahko na prošnjo ene od strank priporoči začasne ukrepe zaščite.
12. Če ena stranka v sporu pred arbitražnim sodiščem ne nastopi ali svojega primera ne uspe obraniti, lahko druga stranka od arbitražnega sodišča zahteva, da nadaljuje s postopkom in sprejme razsodbo. Odsotnost ene stranke ali njena neuspešna obramba ne ovira nadaljnjega postopka.
13. Arbitražno sodišče lahko prouči in določi protizahtevke, ki izhajajo neposredno iz vsebine spora.
14. Če zaradi posebnih okoliščin v zadevi arbitražno sodišče ne odloči drugače, krijejo stroške sodišča, vključno s honorarjem njegovim članom, stranke v sporu v enakih deležih. Sodišče vodi evidenco vseh svojih izdatkov in strankam o tem pošlje zaključno poročilo.
15. Vsaka pogodbenica te konvencije, ki ima pravni interes glede vsebine spora, in jo lahko prizadene odločitev v zadevi, lahko s soglasjem sodišča poseže v postopek.
16. Arbitražno sodišče izreče razsodbo v petih mesecih od dneva svoje ustanovitve, če ne ugotovi, da je treba rok podaljšati za obdobje, ki ne bi smelo biti daljše kot pet mesecev.
17. Razsodbo arbitražnega sodišča spremlja utemeljitev. Razsodba je dokončna in obvezujoča za vse stranke v sporu. Arbitražno sodišče pošlje razsodbo strankam v sporu in sekretariatu. Sekretariat bo prejete informacije poslal vsem pogodbenicam te konvencije.
18. Kateri koli spor, ki lahko nastane med strankami glede razlage ali izvršitve razsodbe, lahko katera koli pogodbenica preda arbitražnemu sodišču, ki je razsodbo sprejelo, ali če mu ga ni mogoče predložiti, drugemu sodišču, ustanovljenemu v ta namen na enak način, kot je bilo prvo.

Za izvajanje konvencije skrbi Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor.

Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.