MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOTORWAYS
OF THE SEA AT THE BSEC REGION
(Belgrade, 19.IV.2007)
The Governments of the Participating BSEC Member States hereinafter called the parties:
Affirming their intention to work closely towards the development of an integrated and interoperable transport system among the countries of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea Region,
Bearing in mind the joint declaration of the Ministers of Transport of the BSEC Member States on the connection of the Black Sea Transport Network with the Trans-European Transport Network within the framework of the Euro-Asian Transport Links that was adopted on the 28th of January 2005 in Thessaloniki,
Conscious of the fact that the development of technically and administratively interoperable transport connections between the countries of the Black Sea Region and the EU is an issue of utmost importance for economic growth ensuring the sustainable mobility of persons and goods,
Taking into account that the European Commission in order to extend the TEN-T networks towards the neighboring to the EU countries, namely within the Balkans, the Eastern Europe, the Black Sea and the Southern Mediterranean Basin, has set up a High Level Group constituted by representatives of third countries, the European Commission and the EU Member States,
Acknowledging the high profile of the concept of "Motorways of the Sea" described by the Decision No 884/2004/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 29 April 2004 and its capacity to become a useful marketing tool to promote the reduction of the road congestion and/or to improve the access to peripheral and island regions and States,
Considering that the motorways of the sea are intended to concentrate flows of freight on sea-based logistical routes in such a way as to improve existing maritime links or to establish new viable, regular and frequent maritime links for the transport of goods and persons among the BSEC Member States and/or between BSEC Member States and the EU Member States, when possible, creating a real competitive alternative to land transport,
Recognizing the need for smooth, safe, secure and environmentally friendly sea-transport systems, to promote:
a. compatibility and interconnectivity of Traffic Control Systems (VTMIS, AIS etc.) developed by the Parties, complying with global standards could be further promoted so as to facilitate the exchange of relevant information. This action could also support the Safe SeaNet European initiative in the future.
b. enhancement of the exchange of information between Port State Control Authorities.
Conscious of the fact that co-operation should acknowledge the actual needs and interests of the Parties,
have reached the following understanding:
Article 1
The Parties will facilitate and enhance cooperation on policy matters regarding the development of the MoS and/or extending the MoS already established in the European Union to the BSEC region and support business initiatives on the basis of mutual benefit.
The Parties will pursue this objective within their respective fields of competence, taking into account the national legislation of the BSEC countries as well as the relevant international Conventions in force.
Article 2
The cooperation referred to in Article 1 of this MoU comprises, inter alia, the following aspects:
- encouragement and facilitation of cooperation and exchange of information between port administrations, organizations and other interested bodies of the BSEC countries in the fields of transport operations, logistics and infrastructure,
- fostering the training of the BSEC ports personnel and the knowledge share between the BSEC ports and/or between the BSEC ports and those of the EU,
- encouragement and facilitation of sharing experiences/best practices between the BSEC ports and/or between the BSEC ports and those of the EU regarding port development and implementation of new technologies,
- identification of projects of common interest for the BSEC countries, which could be further promoted, aiming at the enhancement of the cohesion and the contribution to modal shift,
- safeguarding free and fair competition in international shipping between carriers from all BSEC Member States participating in international maritime transport operations in order to promote unrestricted and thereby fair participation of seagoing vessels of the BSEC Member States in international seaborne trade of commercial cargoes,
- facilitation of access to all modes of transport and promotion of intermodality,
- enhancement of maritime safety and security in the BSEC region,
- dissemination of information to all interested bodies in the BSEC countries about the basic principles of this MoU and its application.
Article 3
In order to contribute to the effective application of this MoU, the Parties will set up an Ad hoc Working Group on MoS composed of representatives nominated by the competent authorities of the Parties accompanied, where necessary, by representatives from ports and other interested bodies.
It is within the mandate of this Working Group:
- to ensure an appropriate exchange of information within areas of common interest,
- to make proposals in order to achieve the objectives of this MoU regarding port facilities and activities,
- to monitor and report on the progress of joint activities,
- to review the progress of cooperation between the BSEC countries on MoS issues and report to the competent authorities of the Parties as well as to the BSEC Working Group on Transport,
- to identify areas of common interest and, if necessary, put forward respective proposals in collaboration with the competent authorities of the Parties and/or public and other bodies,
- to coordinate similar activities with the EU member states and/or third countries in the framework of this MoU,
- to carry out any other tasks required for the application of this MoU,
- to proceed with all necessary activities for the promotion of MoS,
- to explore and identify possible sources of available funding for the MoS projects,
- to propose concrete actions and recommendations to the BSEC Working Group on Transport.
Article 4
The Parties will cooperate on issues of mutual interest in order to support their position in identifying and developing the MoS in the BSEC region.
The Parties will cooperate for the improvement of transport infrastructure and facilities as well as maritime services in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Article 5
This Memorandum of Understanding will become effective on the first day of the month following the date when eight parties sign it or notify BSEC PERMIS that they completed the legal procedures required for this purpose.
Signed in Belgrade, on the 19th day of the month of April of the year 2007 in a single copy in the English language.