Good progress on ICZM Protocol

The second meeting of the working group of experts designated by the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention to draft the final version of the ICZM Protocol was held in Loutraki, Greece, on 6-9 September 2006. The experts, under a very effective chairing of Ms. A. Mourmouris, progressed very well on the articles, mainly of the Part II of the Protocol. Very constructive discussions and exchange of views on various provisions resulted in the changes that were reflected directly in the improved text of the draft. The secretariat, with the assistance of legal experts, provided the meeting with the relevant changes and therefore assisted in smooth run of the meeting. Presented were participants from 14 countries and the EC. Also, many NGOs actively participated in the discussions. The meeting proposed to meet for the third time in February next year. You will be able to find more details about the meeting in the Report to be prepared by the secretariat.