Establishing international navigation on a former domestic waterway, and protecting the environment and natural resources of the Sava River Basin has made a giant step forward.  In the presence of Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek, the Foreign Ministers of the four riparian countries of the Sava River Basin – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and Slovenia have signed a Framework Agreement in Kranjska Gora.  A newly established Sava River Commission will henceforth be in charge of preparing an integrated management plan for the Sava River Basin and of co-ordinating activities such as navigation, sustainable water management, hydro-electricity and environmental protection.  In a number of areas, particularly to ensure safe navigation, the Commission will be empowered to issue unified rules.  This fully integrated river management approach is one of the first worldwide, and could serve as a model for other river basins in Southeast Europe.

Special Co-ordinator Busek commended the efforts of the four countries and called is a milestone in a regional process of co-operation.  He reiterated, at the symbolic location of the Sava’s source, that “today the Sava has become a unifying force.  The divisions of the past are behind us.  This is European co-operation at its best.  The reopening of the Sava to commercial international navigation will further invigorate the region economically.  Thereby four countries will be one region!”

The Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin signed by Minister of Civil Affairs and Communications Svetozar Mihajlovic (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Foreign Minister Tonino Picula (Croatia), Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel (Slovenia) and Foreign Minister Goran Svilanoviæ (Yugoslavia) affirms the commitment of the four countries to co-operate in managing the Sava Basin and establishes a process to achieve the following goals:

­          Establishing a international navigation regime on the Sava river and its main tributaries in the form of the Protocol signed today and in accordance with the international regime of the Danube Commission

­          Promoting sustainable management of the Sava Basin waters and related resources;

­          Fostering integrated economic development while preserving the environment in the Sava Basin region and the well being of its people; and

­          Establishing the proper institutional framework to fulfil these objectives.

An International Sava River Basin Commission is established to implement the Agreement, including the preparation of a Sava River Basin Management Plan.  The Agreement includes the statute for the Commission, a process for resolving disputes, and a protocol for the regime of navigation.

The agreement is the culmination of intensive negotiations, which began by the signing of a Letter of Intent in November 2001.   Two Working Groups, one to draft the Framework Agreement and the other to prepare an action plan for rehabilitation and development of the basin were established.  While the Framework was successfully completed on 23 October, at a meeting at the UN Office of High Representative in Brcko (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Rehabilitation and Development Working Group continues to work on an Action Plan for the Sava Basin in the areas of navigation, integrated water management, environmental protection, and economic development.

Priority needs and projects to meet the objectives spelled out in the Framework Agreement include the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure to foster economic development; projects to improve water quality management; establishment of a joint warning system for flood control and response to emergencies; and measures to reopen the Sava to commercial navigation.  The Working Group is expected to complete the first Action Plan in early 2003.

See:       s     Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin
                        Annex 1 — Sava River Commission
                        Annex 2 — Dispute Settlement

s           Navigation Protocol

s           Statement by Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek