Italy ratifies the Prevention and Emergency Protocol of the Barcelona Convention

Italy has ratified the "Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Preventing Pollution from Ships and, In Cases of Emergency, Combating Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea" (Prevention and Emergency Protocol). The country deposited the instrument of Ratification on 30 June 2016, as confirmed by the Government of Spain, Depositary of the Barcelona Convention.

The Prevention and Emergency Protocol will enter into force for Italy on 30 July 2016. Its ratification confirms the continued commitment of the Government of Italy to the protection of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment.

Under this important Protocol of the Barcelona Convention, the Parties commit to cooperate to implement international regulations to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the marine environment from ships, and to take all necessary measures in cases of pollution incidents.

The protocol was adopted by the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries held in Malta in 2002, and entered into force in 2004. To date, it has been ratified by Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Slovenia, and Spain, approved by France and the European Union and adhered to by Montenegro, Syria and Turkey.