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The International Seminar on transboundary management of Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava river basin took place in Novopolotsk, Belarus, on November 11 - 12, 1997 (See Annexes 1,2,3). The aim of the seminar was to exchange views on the state of environment in the basin of Zapadnaya Dvina-Daugava River, which flows over territories of the Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus and Republic of Latvia, and to come up with ideas of joining efforts of parties concerned in an attempt to improve monitoring of the river basin and management thereof.
Representatives of national environmental protection authorities and hydrometeorological services, local environmental protection organizations and research institutions from respective countries took part in the seminar. Representatives of Sweden (SEPA), Denmark, the World Bank, GRID-Arendal Centre and Lake Peipsi Project participated in the seminar.
It was noted that a number of recent environmental projects aimed at reduction of pollution load have had a positive though insufficient impact on improvement of the environmental situation of Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River.Technogenous factors still influence adversely the condition of the river basin. As one of the reasons for this, the lack of coordination of activities among the three countries was identified. The participants discussed the strategy of environmental protection and harmonization of monitoring activities in the light of the UN-ECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (1992) and the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (1992).
The Draft Agreement on the Water Quality Management in Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River basin was discussed (See Annex 4). The participants agree that the Draft constitutes a good basis for negotiations between relevant Belarussian, Russian and Latvian authorities aiming at eventual signing of the Agreement between the three countries.
It was agreed, that in parallel with negotiations on the Agreement a working group should be created to undertake preparatory activities which will facilitate eventual setup of the River Basin Management Commission and to provide a starting platform for its work.
The working group shall:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus offered to coordinate the preparation of the joint assessment.
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency offered to provide members of the working group with Internet access; to support Belarus in its role of coordinator in preparation of the joint assessment and to investigate possibilities for hosting a meeting in Sweden to discuss results of the assessment process and the Agreement negotiation process.
All parties agree to seek national funding for the trilateral cooperation.
The following documents are enclosed to this memorandum :
Annex 1. Program of the Seminar
Annex 3. Abstracts of reports
Annex 4. Draft Agreement on Water Quality Management of Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin.
Annex 5. List of members of the Work group
For the State Committee on Ecology of the Russian Federation. O.A.Novosyolova
For the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus. V.N.Schislyonok
For the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia. R.Bebris
For the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Bo Libert
Done in Novopolotsk on the 12-th of November 1997
BELARUS
I.V. Voitov, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +37517 2207048, fax. +37517 2205583
V.A. Novak, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Housing and Communal Services, tel. +37517 2208921, fax. +37517 2203823
V.N. Schislyonok, Head of the State Control Specialized Inspection on Water Use and Protection, tel. +37517 2209047, fax.+37517 2205583
A.M. Samousenko, Head of the Department of Monitoring and Analytical Control, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +37517 2204776,fax. +37517 2205583
L.N. Koulik, Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +3752122 56670, fax. +375212 36-38-52
M.I. Kozlov, Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, tel. +3752144 51 245, fax. +3752144 51 245
N.A. Korotkov, Head of the Section, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +37517 2203974, fax. +37517 2205583
N.N. Tsygankov, Director of the Centre of Investment Projects development and Implementation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection,tel. +37517 2202767, fax. +37517 2207261
A.V. Levchenko, Coordinator of Danish Projects in Belarus, Ministry of Natural resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +37517 2202767, fax. +37517 2207261
I.N. Korovko,Head of the Inspection, Novopolotsk Regional Inspection, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +3752144 20054,fax. +3752144 20628
V.K. Lyupsky,Dean on Scientific Research,Polotsk State University, tel. +3752144 50679,fax. +3752144 51732
V.I. Aleshka, Director of BelSRC "Ecology", Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection,tel. +37517 2349259, fax. +37517 2348072
Ch.A. Romanovsky, Deputy Director of BelSRC "Ecology", Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +37517 2346911, fax. +37517 2348072
A.V. Visochenko, Head of the Section of Monitoring, BelSRC "Ecology", Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, tel. +37517 2347721, fax. +37517 23408072
I.I. Matveenko, Head of the Centre of Radiational Control and Environmental Monitoring,State Committee of Hydrometeorology tel. +37517 2641140,fax. +37517 2639562
G.M. Tishchikov, Head of the Section of Ecological Monitoring,State Committee of Hydrometeorology, tel. +37517 2646434, fax. +37517 2639562
E.I. Mikhnevitch, Head of the Chair of Water Supply and Water Disposal, Belarus Polytechnical Academy, tel. +37517 2647174, fax. +37517 2329137
M. Cherepansky, Director of Central Scientific Research Institute for Integrated Water Management, tel. +37517 2635330, fax +37517 2642734
V.N. Korneev, Main scientific worker of Central Scientific research Institute for Integrated Water Management, tel. +37517 263 53 30
V.A Shherbakov, Deputy director of Central Scientific Research Institute for Integrated Water Management, tel. +37517 263 53 30
P.N.Atrakhimovich, Head of the Dokshitsy region Inspector, Ministry of natural resources and environmental protection, tel. +375 812157 2 16 82, fax .+375802157 2 16 82
A.A. Kasyanchik, Head of Lepel region inspection, Ministry of natural resources and environmental protection,tel. +375802132 2 82 89, fax. +3758021322 82 89
V.D. Medvedsky, Head of Beshenkovichy region inspection, Ministry of natural resources and environmental protection,tel. +375 02131 218 74,fax. +375 02131 218 74
R.V. Bezzubenko, Specialist of Beshenkovitchy region inspection of Ministry of natural resources and environmental protection, tel. +375 02131 218 74, fax +375 02131 218 74
T.I. Kroshchenko, Head of laboratory ecological monitoring, Centre of Hydrometeorology, Bitebsk, tel. +375 02122 468 70, fax. +375 02122 495 96
V.P. Yankevitch, Head of the Vitebsk region inspection, Ministry of natural resources and environmental protection, tel. +375 80212 36 29 20, fax. +375 80212 37 01 48
V.N. Berdashkevitch, Main doctor of Novopolozk centre hygiene and epidemiology, tel. +375 02144 55 305, fax. +375 02144 55 305
D.D. Vishnevsky, Head of the Verkhnedvinsk region inspection,Ministry of natural resources and environmental protection, tel. +375 802151 213 42, fax. +375 802151 216 79
LATVIA
R. Bebris, Director of the Department of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, tel. +371013 7026506, fax. +37113 7820442
A. Leitas, Director of the Department of Hydrometeorology, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, tel. +37513 7112040, fax. +37513 7145154
R. Vionis, Head of Department of Environmental Protection of the Rigas region, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, tel. +37113 7323202, fax +37113 783-05-03
N. Kadikis, Deputy Director, Environmental Consulting and Monitoring centre, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, tel. +37213 7323665, fax. +37113 7830503
P. Katsars, Head of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Daugavapils Region, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, tel. +37513 5423606, fax. +37513 5423219
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
O.A. Novosyolova, Head of the Management of Regional Ecological Problems and Coordination with Territorial Institutions, State Committee of Environmental Protection, tel. +7095 2547529, fax. +7095 2548283
G.M. Zvetkov, Head of the Administration of the Analytical control and Metrological support in Environmental protection State Committee on Environmental Protection, tel. +7095 280-11-89, fax. +7095 791-18-55
V.M. Volkov,Head of MoskvaOka Water basin Management Ministry of Natural resources, tel. +7095 4977500, fax. +7095 4977500
A. Khramenkov, Chairman of Smolensk Water basin Management, Ministry of Natural resources, tel. +708122 35210
M.M. Yermakov, Chairman of Tver Water basin Management, Ministry of Natural resources, tel. +708242 42348
V.A. Petoukhov, Chairman of the Smolensk regional center for Hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring, tel. +7 0812 55 63 51, fax +7 0812 55 63 51
SWEDEN
B. Libert, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tel. 4686981137, fax.4686981504
N. Munthe, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tel. 46869811-31, fax. 4686981504
G. Bergvall, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, tel. 4686981163
fax. 4686981163
NORWAY
P.Stalnacke, Centre of Soils and Environmental Research, tel. 4764948100, fax .476494811
DANMARK
U. Bendstedt, Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection, tel. +4532660100, fax. +4532600479
ESTONIA
G. Roll, Manager of Lake Peipsi (Choudskoye) Project, tel. +3727441481
LITHUANIA
A. Ceponiene, Head of the Methodological Centre of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, tel. +3722725758, fax. +3722728020
WORLD BANK
I. Kiskis, Regional Specialist on Environmental Protection, tel. +370 262-27-28, fax +370 222-68-29
UNEP/GRID-ARENDAL
S. Langaas, Project Manager, Head of Baltic Operations, GRIDArendal, tel. +468161737, fax. +468158417
BELUNEPCOM
A.K. Obrazov, Deputy Director, BELUNEPCOM, tel. +375 17 2663749, fax. +375 17 2662441
ANNEX 4 AGREEMENT ON WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF ZAPADNAYA DVINA/DAUGAVA RIVER BASIN.
First draft version presented at the seminar in Novopolotsk 11-12 November 1997. To be modified.
The Contracting Parties,
the ....................... of the Federation of Russia,
the ....................... of the Republic of Latvia, and
the ....................... of the Republic of Belarus,
DESIRING to work together for protection and rational use of Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin;
AWARE of the considerable pollution of the waters of the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin;
MINDFUL of the interrelationship between surface and groundwater between upstream and downstream users and conditions, and between inland and coastal waters as well as marine waters of the Baltic Sea;
ACKNOWLEDGING the importance of the flow and the quality of the water recourses for household and industrial supply, for recreational purpose, and for upholding natural values and diversity of species;
ENDORSING the provision and principles of the 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, in particular Article 6, Paragraph 4, and the European Union framework for water management;
RECOGNISING the need for comprehensive and effective management system;
APPROVING of the role of the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin as a pilot area for implementation of river basin management between the Parties;
AFFIRMING the ultimate goal of establishing a convention on environmental management of the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin;
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Territorial Competence
The territorial competence of the Agreement on Water Quality Management of the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin (hereinafter referred to as this Agreement) extends over the entire catchment areas of the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava river.
Article 2
Objectives and Purposes
1. The objectives and purposes of this Agreement comprise technical, socio-economic, financial, and legal/institutional aspects.
2. Technical aspects include:
a) collection and exchange of data on ambient water quality, hydrology, point source effluents, non-point source pollution sources, and other relevant data;
b) development and execution of environmental monitoring programme for joint and separate implementation;
c) execution of laboratory intercalibration programmes;
d) establishment of a geographical database relevance for the implementation of this Agreement; and
e) formulation, execution and evaluation of specific environmental investigations needed in order to identify the art, proportion and origin of water quality problems in the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin.
3. Socio-economic aspects includes:
a) identification of water quality objectives for various parts of the river basin; and
b) development and maintenance of a scientific foundation on which recommendations for water quality management programmes as well as specific pollution abatement action may be built.
4. Financial aspects include:
a) internal financing for the implementation of this Agreement including cost sharing and sharing criteria; and
b) financing of specific projects including external financing.
5. Legal and institutional aspects include:
a) prevention and settlement of disputes concerning different water uses and areas;
b) drafting legislation and guidelines relevant for the implementation of this Agreement;
c) harmonisation of standards, regulations and guidelines;
d) involvement of local governments through environmental planning; and
e) publication and distribution of environmental information derived through the implementation of this Agreement.
Article 3
Ad-hoc Commission
1. An ad-hoc Commission, entitled the International Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) headed by President is hereby established as the executive organ for implementation of this Agreement.
Constitution
2. The Commission shall take the form of a joint commission composed by delegations from two regional environmental protection agencies under each of the Contracting Parties of this Agreement:
a) under the ................. of the Federation of Russia
- ............................., and
- .............................
b) under the ................ of the Republic of Latvia
- .............................., and
- ..............................
c) under the ................ of the Republic of Belarus
- ..............................., and
- ................................
3. Each delegation represent an area of the jurisdiction, the extent of which is to be decided by each of the Contracting Parties and described in the Statues.
Function and powers
4. The Commission have the powers to perform:
a) advisory, consultative, and co-ordinating functions to be the Governments of the Contracting Parties and to Local Governments located within the Territorial Competence of this Agreement;
b) executive and operational functions as regards carrying out studies, formulation of plans, and preparation of future agreements of relevance for the implementation of this Agreement;
c) form Work Groups for the review of mutually co-ordinated directions and the problems investigated into.
Statutes
5. The Commission shall adopt it Statutes, which shall be endorsed by the Contracting Parties within two months after the signing of this Agreement. The Statutes of the Commission shall be appended to this Agreement as Annex I.
Session of Commission
6. The Commission shall meet as frequently as deemed necessary, however not less than once a year, upon convocation by letter from the President. Agenda for the meeting shall be proposed by the President.
7. Each delegation may send two regular delegates for the session of the Commission.
Chairmanship
8. The Chairmanship of the Commission shall be given to each delegation. Each delegation will hold the chairmanship of the Commission for one year.
9. The chairman is called President for the Commission.
Ad-hoc Secretariat
10. The ad-hoc Secretariat (hereinafter referred to as the Secretariat) handles day to day affairs and provides secretarial services to the Commission and its Working Groups. With regard to the duties laid down by the Commission the Secretariat shall be staffed by competent scientific and administrative personnel.
11. The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Secretary, who shall be appointed by the Commission.
12. The responsibilities for, and working procedures of the Secretariat shall be included in the Statues for the Commission.
Article 4
Financial terms
1. Each Contracting Party shall bear the cost occurred in relation to the implementation of monitoring and control measures within its own territory and by its own staff, as well as other local cost.
2. It is the duty of the Contracting Party, whose delegation holds the Chairmanship of the Commission, to cover the expenses for normal administrative activities of the Commission that, according to this Agreement, falls upon the President. The financial and budgetary procedures shall be further regulated by the Statutes.
Article 5
Documentation and Information
1. The Commission shall each year present to the Contracting Parties
a) a general environmental status description on the Zapadnaya Dvina/Daugava River Basin, including all environmental data collected during the year, and
b) a report that describe the achievements and activities under the Commission.
Article 6
Language
1. The working language of the Commission are Russian, Belarussian and Latvian.
2. Data and information in written form shall be in ............................ language.
Article 7
Dispute Settlement
Disputes between the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation and application of this Agreement shall be settled through negotiation. If the parties cannot reach agreement they shall request mediation by a contracting party of the 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM).
Article 8
Relation to the 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine
Environment of the Baltic Sea
The Contracting Parties shall through the implementation of this Agreement act in order to promote pertinent provisions and principles of the 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM). In particular this apply to, but is not limited to, the Articles 6, 7, 15, 16, and 17, and the Annexes III and VII.
Article 9
Amendments to this Agreement
Each Contracting Party may propose amendments to this Agreement. Such proposal shall be submitted to the President and added to the agenda for the next session of the Commission.
Article 10
Entry into Force
This Agreement shall enter into force immediately after its signature.
Article 11
Termination of the Agreement
1. The validity of this Agreement and the mandate of the organs established for its implementation expire at ........................................
2. At the termination of this Agreement the Contracting Parties may sign a permanent Agreement elaborated on during the period .........................
Done on .....................in the ................ language.
For the Federation of Russia
For the Republic of Latvia
For the Republic of Belarus
ANNEX 5
List of the Interstate Working Group on the Zapadnaya
Dvina/Daugava River Basin
Russian federation
V.F.Koukovyakin
O.A.Novosyolova
V.M.Volkov
V.M.Chelyukanov
M.M.Yermakov
V.A.Petoukhov
Republic of Belarus
V.N.Schislyonok
N.N.Tsigankov
M.M.Cherepansky
Ch.A.Romanovsky
I.I.Matveenko
R.A.Kirpitchyova
Republic of Latvia
A.Gailitis
N.Kadikis
P.Katsars
A.Leitas