Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention)

OBJECTIVE: to conclude the Alpine Convention on the protection of the Alps in economic, social and ecological terms, and to establish cooperation between all contracting parties, particularly EC countries, in the Alpine region. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 96/191/EC concerning the conclusion of the Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention). SUBSTANCE: The decision approves on behalf of the Community the Alpine Convention signed in Salzborg (Austria) on 7 November 1991 by six countries including three EC Member States (Germany, France and Italy). The convention sets out a series of general obligations with regard to finding solutions to the problems involved in the preservation and protection of the Alpine eco-system to ensure the sustainable development of Alpine regions. The convention is based on various key principles of environmental protection, including preventive measures and the 'polluter pays' principle. It will be supplemented by a series of protocols to be adopted by the contracting parties, the aim of which will be to extend trans-border cooperation in order to improve: - the cultural and social indendence of Alpine populations, - regional planning, - air quality, - soil conservation, - water management, - conservation of nature and the countryside, - mountain farming, - mountain forestry, - tourism and recreation, - transport, - energy, - waste management. To that end, the parties undertake to take part in research activities and develop joint systematic monitoring programmes. Legal, scientific, economic and technical cooperation is also provided for (including cooperation with the relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations). The convention calls for the establishment of an Alpine Conference which should hold regular meetings to discuss matters of common concern, and the setting-up of a Conference standing committee, an executive body to be responsible for collecting information and proposing appropriate measures to the conference. -ENTRY INTO FORCE: The convention is subject to ratification or approval by all the signatory states of the Community, to enable the latter to deposit its instruments of ratification with the depository, Austria.�