Protection of Atlantic coasts against pollution
A Council Decision of 20 October 1993 concerns the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement for the protection of the coasts and waters of the north-east Atlantic against pollution. The Decision approves the Agreement on behalf of the European Ecomomic Community. The Contracting Parties of the Agreement, adopted in Lisbon on 17 October 1990, are Spain, France, Morocco, Portugal and the EEC. These Parties undertake, individually or collectively, to take all appropriate measures to be prepared to deal with an incident of pollution at sea such as pollution caused by hydrocarbons or other harmful substances including hazardous waste. Each of the Parties shall set up a national system to prevent and combat incidents of pollution in the defined area, and draw up a national action plan including the identification of likely sources of pollution and the identification of endangered sensitive areas and vulnerable resources in danger (with priorities for their protection). The available equipment and human resources shall be itemized and methods of storing and disposing of the pollutant shall be specified. The Parties shall also set up staff training programmes (independent, bilateral or multilateral) to improve the state of readiness of bodies responsible for dealing with pollution. At the same time they will mutually communicate information on all the above actions, on the national resources available, and on new methods to avoid pollution and effective new techniques for dealing with it. The full text of the Agreement is attached to the Decision.