Agreement between the Government of the Estonian Republic and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in protection and sustainable use of transboundary waters

The Government of Estonian Republic and the Government of Russian Federation have agreed that: 1) The goal of the Agreement is organization of cooperation between the Parties in the field of protection and sustainable use of transboundary waters and their ecosystems. 2) The objects of this Agreement are transboundary waters of the Narva River watershed, including Lake Peipus-Pihkva. 3) The Parties cooperate with the aim to provide ecologically sustainable management of the use of water resources of transboundary waters and their preservation in the interests of the population and sustainable development. To attain the above-mentioned goals, the Parties shall cooperate in the development of norms, methods of assessment and classification of water quality; shall adopt measures necessary for prevention of, and diminishing to the agreed minimum, discharge of polluting substances into water bodies; shall provide the use of modern technologies for sustainable use of water resources, effective sewage treatment plants and water saving production technologies; shall guarantee maintenance of hydrotechnological and water protection equipment in required technical condition on transboundary waters; shall desist from activities or inactivity that may cause deterioration of transboundary water bodies and their ecosystems hydrological and hydrochemical systems; shall carry out joint scientific studies about Lake Peipus ecosystem; shall carry out agreed environmental inspections. 4) Competent agencies to implement the Agreement are: a) On Estonian side – Ministry of the Environment of Estonian Republic; b) On Russian side – Ministry of Natural Resources of Russian Federation. 5) If one of the Parties is planning activities in water, fish industry or other area that may cause changes of hydrological or hydrochemical systems on transboundary waters, or if these actions may affect another Party interests, then the Party should hold a consultation with the other Party before implementing the plans as soon as possible through the Commission or the competent agencies. 6) Any disagreements concerning interpretation or execution of the Agreement are to be solved by negotiations between the Parties.