Cooperation Agreement for the protection of the coasts and waters of the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean from contamination.

The Agreement of cooperation for protecting the coasts and waters of the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean from contamination was signed in Lisbon on 17 October 1990. Such Agreement is divided into 27 articles and 2 Annexes. The Parties shall take all the necessary measures to counteract accidental maritime contamination caused by oil or other harmful substances (art. 1). Article 2 defines certain terms, and article 3 delimits the area for such actions. Each State shall keep a minimum volume of materials necessary to combat oil spills or other polluting substances, including the necessary maritime transport; as well as a national system of prevention and combating against such accidents (art. 4). The Parties shall decide jointly the procedures to be taken on practical, operational, and technical aspects regarding joint activities (arts. 5-7). The North-Eastern Atlantic region is divided into zones (arts. 8 and 9, and Annex 1). The Agreement regulates mutual assistance in case of accident (art. 10), the respect of the sovereignty of each State (art. 11), navigation controls (art. 12) and financial support (arts. 13 and 14). Articles 15 to 17, and 20 to 27 deal with aspects related to the management of this Agreement, meetings of the Parties, ratification and modification. An international centre is created for assisting the States to react quickly and efficiently in case of accidents (arts. 18 and 19 and Annex 2).