Basel Protocol on Liability Ratification

József Kelemen

Ministry of Environment and Water

AGENDA

Addressing Aspects and Obstacles to the Process of Ratification on the basis of the

Questionnaire No. 2

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1. To ratify the Protocol on Liability and Compensation

• Hungary singed the Protocol on Liability and Compensation on 05.12.2000.

• We have done no further steps for ratification, acceptance, formal confirmation, approval or accession.

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2. Ratification process of international agreements

• In Hungary the Ministry of Environment and Water can initiate the ratification process.

• The final decision will be taken by our Government.

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3. Other requirements for entering into force

• After ratification we have to publish the Protocol in form of Governmental decree.

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4. Difficulties, concerns and obstacles to ratification

• There are no legal difficulties.• Practical concerns:

Financial limits (amounts) for the liability defined in the Annex B to the Protocol might too high, it might result in unacceptable financial burden for our undertakings. We are waiting for the EU recommendation.

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5. Removing the obstacles.

• We think the obstacles could be removed by amendment of Annex B (?).

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6.What actions could be undertaken

• See the previous slides.

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Thank you for your attention!