Memorandum of Understanding Between the Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic
Concerning Cooperation on Environmental Protection
The Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic hereafter called 'the Parties',
Aware of the necessity to protect the environment in order to ensure the quality of life
in both countries and recognizing that environmental protection is an essential element of
sustainable development.
Taking into account the relevant provisions of the Rio Declaration as well as the Agenda
for the 21st Century, approved by the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development.
Have agreed as follows:
I. SCOPE OF WORK
Article 1
The Parties hereby agree to develop scientific and technical cooperation in the field of
the prevention of pollution and the protection of the environment within the principle of
sustainable development.
Article 2
The Parties shall cooperate on the basis of mutual benefit for the protection of the
environment in the sectors included in the attached annex. They shall exchange scientific,
technical and legal information among governmental bodies and shall encourage such
exchanges among academic institutions, non governmental organizations and private firms.
To this end, they shall also organize symposiums, seminars, workshops and meetings of
experts on issues covered by the Memorandum.
Article 3
The Parties shall encourage participation of non-governmental organizations and the civil
society in the activities that will be carried out on the basis of this Memorandum.
Article 4
The Parties shall encourage cooperation on the prevention of pollution and on the
mitigation of harmful influences of human activities on the environment, with a view to
attain a sustainable management policy of environmental resources.
II. FUNDING
Article 5
Each Party shall bear the costs of its own participation in the activities carried out
under this memorandum. The Parties will also explore ways and means to obtain financing
from appropriate international sources.
III. RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER AGREEMENTS
Article 6
Nothing in this Memorandum shall prejudice other existing or future agrements concluded
between the Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic.
This Memorandum will not affect the rights and commitments of the Parties with respect to
third states or regional integration organizations.
Each Party may communicate the results of their cooperation to third parties after mutual
consent of the Parties.
IV. APPLICATION OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION
Article 7
All activities under this Memorandum shall be carried out in conformity with the national
legislation of the Parties.
V. MANAGEMENT
Article 8
The Parties shall establish a ten member Joint Committee comprising five representatives
from the respective competent authorities of each side. This Committee may request the
Parties to designate corresponding coordinators on each specific field of activity.
These coordinators shall report to the Joint Committee the results of their activities.
The Joint Committee shall, inter alia,
a) manage the activities under this Memorandum and agree on matters of future policy and
b) receive submissions of projects and other proposals for cooperation including those
from the coordinators.
VI. ENTRY INTO FORCE, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
Article 9
This Memorandum shall enter into force one month following the date of exchange of notes
between the Parties informing the completion of their required national formalities for
its entry into force, and, shall remain in force for three years. Its validity shall be
automatically extended for further three-year periods unless denounced by either Party
upon three-month prior written notice. Either Party upon three-month written notice to the
other Party may terminate this Memorandum. This Memorandum may be amended at any time upon
mutual consent of the Parties. The termination of the Memorandum shall not effect the
validity or duration of activities agreed upon pursuant to this Memorandum and initiated
prior to such termination.
Done in duplicate in Ankara on 20th of January 2000 in Turkish, Greek and English
languages. All texts are equally authentic.
In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Republic of Turkey For the
Hellenic Republic
Ismail CEM
George
A. PAPANDREOU
Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister
of Foreign Affairs
ANNEX
The Following items are identified as possible areas for cooperation:
- ENERGY PRODUCTION: Exchange of know-how and cooperation regarding environmentally
friendly energy (wind and solar energy, small hydroelectric plants and energy saving
technologies).
- DESERTIFICATION: Studies on prevention of soil erosion and rehabilitation programmes.
Cooperation in the framework of Annex IV of the Convention for Combating Desertification.
- COMBATING MARINE POLLUTION: Training programmes, methodologies, new technologies, waste
reception facilities at harbours.
- ADOPTION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: Studies on the
quantity and quality of solid wastes, on recycling of wastes and on designing spaces for
the disposal of wastes. Exchange of technical information.
- PREPARATION OF JOINT PROGRAMMES & EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENT OF
ECO-TOURISM: Programmes from linking eco-tourism regions with similar characteristics.
Promotion of organisation of conferences and meeting in such areas. Studies for the impact
of tourism on ecologically sensitive areas.
- EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Studies to determine the
main sectors of activity where the principle of the environmental impact assessment could
be usefully applied. Creation of a data base in both countries concerning works that have
an impact on the environment and for which an environmental impact assessment would be
highly useful.
- ENCOURAGING NGOs COOPERATION IN BOTH COUNTRIES: Exchange of experiences and visits
between NGOs. Examine the possibilities to encourage closer cooperation between NGOs.
- LAND-BASED SOURCES OF POLLUTION: Studies and establishment of systems for the exchange
of information between the two parties. Exchange of technologies and know-how.
- EARTHQUAKE ISSUES: Cooperation on topics such as damage evaluation, antiseismic code
studies and eventual modification proposals.
- OLIVE STONE EXPLOITATION: To facilitate cooperation among competent national entities
for the exploitation of olive stones in order to produce energy for heating purposes.
- FOREST FIRES EXTINCTION: Exchange of information and know-how through meetings of
experts.
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