The European Union is a Contracting Party to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution (Barcelona Convention), and has also concluded four of the Protocols adopted within its framework: (1) Protocol for the prevention of pollution by dumping from ships and aircraft; (2) Protocol concerning cooperation in combating pollution by oil and other harmful substances; (3) Protocol for protection against pollution from land-based sources; (4) Protocol concerning specially protected areas. By virtue of the present Decision, the Protocol concerning specially protected areas and biological diversity in the Mediterranean and the annexes thereto are approved as well. The European Union’s acceptance was accompanied by the following statement: ‘”The Community will help implement the provisions laid down in the annexes by setting up the Natura 2000 network”.
1999-10-22