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Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning Environmental Cooperation [1989] CATSer 26 (20 November 1989)

E101230 - CTS 1989 No. 24

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION

The Government of Canada and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (hereinafter referred to as the Parties);

Recognizing the global character of major environmental problems;

Convinced that the common interest of all countries is to pursue policies aimed at sustainable development;

Believing that environmental cooperation between States is of mutual benefit at both the national and international levels; and

Mindful that environmental policies require the development and implementation of anticipatory environmental controls based upon environmental research and monitoring;

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

The Parties shall maintain and enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of environmental affairs on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

ARTICLE II

The Parties agree that such cooperation may include the following:

a) atmospheric environmental issues, including climate change and its impacts, atmospheric ozone and air pollution, meteorology and climatology;

b) protection of the marine and fresh water environments and related biological resources;

c) prevention of ground water and surface water contamination;

d) environmental problems related to agriculture;

e) conservation of ecosystems, including establishment of nature reserves, and protection of habitat and rare flora and fauna;

f) waste management and disposal and life cycle management of toxic chemicals;

g) environmental technologies;

h) environmental monitoring and environmental quality assessment methods;

i) environmental emergency response;

j) interrelationship between environment and economics;

k) environmental impact assessment and post-project analysis;

l) environmental training and education.

Cooperation may also be undertaken in other areas of common interest.

ARTICLE III

1. The Parties shall exchange information on the items under Article II including their management, policy and regulatory elements, socio-economic implications and major environmental studies.

2. Other forms of cooperation may, if necessary, be developed, including joint projects, exchanges of experts, trainees and students, bilateral meetings, symposia and joint publications.

ARTICLE IV

1. Unless otherwise arranged between the Parties, international travel expenses related to such exchanges and cooperative activities shall be borne by the sending Party. In country expenses shall be borne by the receiving Party on a reciprocal basis.

2. The cooperative activities provided for in this Agreement shall be subject to the laws and regulations of the Parties.

ARTICLE V

1. To implement this Agreement, a Canadian-Soviet Mixed Environmental Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) shall be established. The Commission shall meet at least once every two years, alternately in Canada and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Each Party shall designate its representatives to the Commission's sessions in accordance with its own procedures and practices.

2. The Commission shall:

a) work out programmes of cooperation between Canada and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with respect to the topics specified in Article II;

b) review and report on the implementation of the programmes;

c) consider proposals made by the Parties for additional cooperative programmes and amendments to existing programmes.

3. The Parties shall name co-chairmen of the Commission who shall be permanent members of the Commission.

ARTICLE VI

Unless otherwise arranged between the Parties, the Department of the Environment of Canada and the State Committee of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for Environmental Protection shall be responsible for the management of the work programmes. They shall also be responsible for furthering the participation of other appropriate Canadian and Soviet organizations (governmental, academic or others) in the activities conducted under this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

This Agreement shall come into effect on the date of its signature and shall remain in effect for a period of four years. It shall be extended automatically for further periods of four years, unless either Party gives notice of termination not less than twelve months prior to the expiration of the initial period or of any extension thereof. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any arrangements initiated under it, but incomplete at the time of termination.

ARTICLE VIII

This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the Parties in writing.

DONE in Moscow this 20th day of November 1989 in two copies in the English, French and Russian languages, all texts being equally authentic.

Brian Mulroney

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Nikolay I. Ryzhkov

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS