Agreement Between the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey Concerning Co-operation in the Use of the Waters of Rivers Flowing Through the Territory of Both Countries (Maritsa/Marica, Tundzha, Veleka, Rezovska Rivers)
Done on 23 October 1968
The two Contracting Parties,
Having informed each other, in a general way, concerning installations which have been constructed or whose construction is planned in the basins of the Maritsa (Meric), Tundzha (Tunca), Veleka (Degirmendere) and Rezovska (Rezve) rivers, which intersect or form the frontier between the two countries, and concerning the quality of the waters inn the said rivers,
Noting the need for close co-operation in the use of the waters or rivers flowing through the territory of both countries, which are important both for economic development and for protection against damage caused by floods and floating ice, for the purpose of meeting the irrigational and other needs of the two countries,
Stressing that the application of modern science and technology in the development of water resources is an important factor in promoting the well-being of the two peoples,
Guided by the principles of international law and good-neighbourly relations,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The People's Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey shall cooperate in determining which structures and installations can be constructed and used, for the benefit of the two Contracting Parties, on rivers flowing through the territory of both countries.
Article 2
The two Contracting Parties agree that they shall avoid causing any substantial damage to each other in the construction and use of installations on rivers flowing through their territory.
Article 3
The two Contracting Parties agree to exchange information concerning floods and floating ice by the most expeditious means possible.
In addition, the Contracting Parties agree to exchange hydrological and meteorological data concerning the rivers which flow through the territory of both countries.
The procedure for mutual reporting and the exchange of data on these matters shall be laid down in technical protocols to be concluded between the two Contracting Parties.
Article 4
Where one Contracting Party requests the other Contracting Party to collect, compile and transmit information or data within the meaning of article 3 which is required only by the requesting Party, the latter shall reimburse the Party providing the information or data for the costs thus incurred.
Accounts relating to the costs referred to in this article shall be settled each year. For this purpose, statements of account shall be drawn up pursuant to the protocols referred to in article 3.
Article 5
In carrying out projects which will ensure new mutual benefits and conditions for the two Contracting Parties, the authorities referred to in article 6 shall act in accordance with the principles of this Agreement and shall conclude separate agreements concerning the application of any specific measure.
Article 6
Within a period of three months following the entry into force of this Agreement, the two Contracting Parties shall exchange the addresses of the authorities empowered to implement the Agreement.
Meetings of the authorities referred to in this article shall be scheduled and organized through the diplomatic channel.
Article 7
The working languages of the meetings shall be Bulgarian and Turkish.
Documents prepared jointly (technical data, protocols, decisions, etc.) shall be drawn up in both languages.
Information, data, documents, correspondence, etc. exchanged by the two Contracting Parties shall be drawn up in the language of the sending Party.
Article 8
Any disputes arising in connexion with the application of this Agreement shall be referred for settlement to a Mixed Bulgarian-Turkish Commission consisting of an equal number of experts from each Contracting Party.
The Contracting Parties shall inform each other through the diplomatic channel of the appointment of experts to the Mixed Commission, of the place, date and duration of meetings and of other matters relating to the work of the Mixed Commission.
Where the Mixed Commission fails to reach agreement on questions before it, they shall be settled by negotiation between the Contracting Parties through the diplomatic channel.
Article 9
This Agreement is subject to ratification and shall enter into force 30 days after the date of the exchange of the instruments of ratification, which shall take place at Sofia.
This Agreement has been drawn up and signed at Istanbul on 23 October 1968, in duplicate in the Bulgarian and Turkish languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the People's Republic f Bulgaria:
[GHEORGI NACFIKOVI]
[R. KUTAN]
1 Came into force on 26 October 1970, 30 days after the date of the exchange of the instruments of ratification, which took place at Sofia on 25 September 1970, in accordance with article 9.