EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGIONAL PLANNING I NT ER GO VE R M E N TAL COMMISSIONS FOR CO-OPERATION IN FRONTIER REGIONS
A SURVEY
Council of Europe Strasbourg 1973 This document is published as a background paper on Theme No. IV
FRONTIER REGIONS
of the Second European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning. It constitutes an inventory of commissions, both existing or envisaged, for co-operation in frontier regions. The information was supplied by national Delegations to the Committee of Senior Officials preparing the Second Ministerial Conference.
The following reports are published in the same series :
TRANS-FRONT1ER CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE - CONFERENCE REPORT PRESENTED BY THE BELGIAN DELEGATION / “CEMAT (73) 4_7 EUROPEAN CO-OPERATION IN FRONTIER REGIONS - STUDY BY JEAN-MARIE QUINTIN / “CEMAT (73) BP 9J
FRONTIER REGIONS IN EUROPE - AN ANALYTICAL STUDY BY R. STRASSOLDO / “CEMAT (73) BP 10_7 THE CO-OPERATION OF EUROPEAN FRONTIER REGIONS - A STUDY OF THE EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIER REGIONS BY V. von MALCHUS /ÄS/Coll/Front. (72)
CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY REPORT ON THE EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON FRONTIER REGIONS. RAPPORTEUR KARL AHRENS / “Doc 3228J.
30.942 CEMAT (73) BP 11 09.4 Table of contents Page INTRODUCTION 3
BILA.TERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL 7
2.1 AUSTRIA - ITALY 7
2.1.1 The "Accordino" 7 2.1.2 Italo-Austrian Sub-Commissions on regional problems and the Port of Trieste .7
2.2 AUSTRIA - SWITZERLAND 7
2.3.1 Franco-Belgian Plenary Commission for Regional Planning in Frontier Regions 8
2.4 BELGIUM - FEDERAL'REPUBLIC OF GERMANY • ■ ; . - 9
2.5 DENMARK - SWEDEN 9
2.5.1 The Öresund region 9
2.5 .2 Specific developments since 1971 10
2.6 FINLAND - SWEDEN ' ■ 10
2.6 .1 Specific developments since 1971 10
2.7 FRANCE - ITALY 10
2.7.1 Water supply for the town of Menton 10 2.7.2 Alpine national parks: Gran Paradiso and La Vanoise 11 2.7.3 Coni-Breil-Ventimiglia-Nice rail link 11 2.7.4 Ramoge pro.ject 11 2.7.5 Relations between Sardinia and Corsica 12
2.8 FRANCE - SPAIN 12
2.8.1 Frontier Commission of the Pyrenees 12 2.8.1.1, Terms- of reference of the Commission 12 2.8.1.2 Composition and operation of the Frontier Commission 13 2.8.1.3 Summary of activities 13
2.9 FRANCE - SWITZERLAND 14
2.9.1 Existing Commissions 14 2.9.2 Commissions envisaged 15
2.10 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - LUXEMBOURG 15
2.11 FEDERAL, REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - NETHERLANDS 15
2.12 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND 15 2.13 ITALY 16
2.13.1 Central Office for Problems of Frontier Regions 16
2.14 ITALY - SWITZERLAND 16
2.14.1 Erontier workers 16 2.14.2 Protection of Italo-Swiss waters against pollution 17 2.14.3 Other .joint Commissions 17
2.15 ITALY - YUGOSLAVIA 18
2.15.1 London Agreement 18 2.15.2 Agreements on the movement of persons and goods 18
2.15.2.1 Udine Agreement 18 2.15.2.2 Agreement of 31 March 1955 19 .2.15.2.3 "Alps-Adria" 19 2.15.2.4 Italo-Yugoslav Pishing Agreement 19 2.15.2.5 Italo-Yugoslav talks on the protection of the Adriatic against pollution 20
2.16 SPAIN - ANDORRA 20
2.17 SPAIN - PORTUGAL 20
2.17.1 Plenary Commission for Economic Co-operation 20 2.17.2 Erontier Commission 20
2.18 YUGOSLAVIA 21
MULTILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL . 25
3.1 AUSTRIA - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OE GERMANY - SWITZERLAND 25
3.2 BELGIUM - FRANCE - NETHERLANDS - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OP GERMANY - SWITZERLAND - UNITED KINGDOM 25
3.3 - BENELUX 25
3.4 FINLAND - NORWAY - SWEDEN 26
3.4.1 The Arctic regions 26 3.4.2 Further frontier co-operation between Sweden, Norway and Finland 28 3.4.3 The region comprising Stockholm county- Aland/Finland 28 3.4.4 The future of regional frontier co-operation 28 3.4.5 Specific developments since 1971 29 3.5 FRANCE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND 29 3.5.1 Tripartite Commission of the "Regio11 29 3.6 FRANCE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - LUXEMBOURG - •• NETHERLANDS-- SWITZERLAND 29 3.7 COUNTRIES OF THE NORDIC COUNCIL 29 3.7.1 Development since 1971 29 3.7.2 The future of regional frontier co-operation 30
BILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL ' 33
4.1 AUSTRIA - ITALY 53
4.2 DENMARK'.- FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY . 33
4.3 DENMARK - SWEDEN 34
' 4* 5.1 The ÖresuncL region - 34 4.3.2 Specific developments since 1971 35
4.4 FINLAND - SWEDEN 35
4.4.1 Specific developments since 1971 35
4.5 FRANCE - ITALY 35
4.5.1 ; Relations between Sardinia and Corsica 35 4.5.2 . Standing Conference of French and Italian .Chambers of Commerce in Frontier Regions 35
4.6 IRELAND - UNITED KINGDOM 36
4.6.1 Local Authorities' co-operation accross .the border in Ireland 36
4.7 ITALY - SWITZERLAND 37
4.7.1 Relations between the Swise cantonal authorities and the Italian préfectoral authorities in the border areas 37 4.7.2 Standing Conference of Italian and Swiss Chambers of Commerce 38
4.8 ITALY - YUGOSLAVIA 38
4.8.1 Italo-Slovene Joint Committee 38 4.8.2 Other contacts at regional level 38
4.9 LUXEMBOURG 4.10 NORWAY - SWEDEN 39
4.10.1 The region comprising Göteborg and Bohus counties and Ostfold county 39 4.10.2 The region comprising lkershus-Hed.mark-0st.fold 40 4.10.3 The Koppaberg-Hedmark region 40 4.10.4 The Jämtland-Tröndelag region 40 4.10.5 Specific developments since..1971 ■ 41
5. MULTILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL ... 45
5.1 AUSTRIA - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OP GERMANY - ITALY -■ SWITZERLAND 45
5.1.1 Land of Bavaria - Region of Lombardy - Autonomous Province of Salzburg - Land of Tyrol - Autonomous Province of Trento - Land of Vorarlberg 45
5.2 AUSTRIA - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND 45
5.2.1 "Region Bodanica" . ' 45
5.3- AUSTRIA - ITALY - SWITZERLAND 45
5.3.1 Conference of.Alpine Regions 45
5.4 AUSTRIA - ITALY - YUGOSLAVIA *+5
5.4.1 Co-operation between four provinces : Friuli (Italy), Slovenia and Croation (Yugoslavia) and Carinthia/Kärnten (Austria) (The "Trigon")' : 71 ^5
5.5 FRANCE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND ^7
5.5.1 The Middle Alsace - Breisgau region - CIMAB *+7 5.5.2 Tripartite Commission of the "Regio" 48
5.6 COUNTRIES OF THE NORDIC COUNCIL • 48
6. AN EXAMPIE OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION IN ACTION - NORD/PAS-DE-CALAIS - WEST-FLANDERS/HAINAUT 5I
6.1 NORD/PAS-DE-CÂLAIS - WESI-FLANDERS/HAINAUT 51
6.1.1 Introduction - 51 6.1.2 Demarcation of the co-operation sectors 52 6.1.3 Sector-by-sector survey of common proLlems and - questions for study 53 6.1.3.1 The coast 53 6.1.3.2 Les Moeres 53 6.1.3.3 The "Hills of Flanders" 54 6.1.3.4 The central urban area.around the Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing metropolis 54. 6.1.3.4.I Harmonisation of detailed plans around the enlarged metropolitan area 54 6 .1.3.4.2 Relations between Belgian and French towns within the central urban area 55 6.1.3.5 The Tournai region and the Révèle 56 6.1.3.6 The Franco-Belgian mining area 57 6.1.3.7 The Sambre Valley 58 6.1.3.8 The Avesnois and South Hainaut 59 6.1.4 Competent agencies and bodies in each sector 59 6 .1.4.1 Coastal area 60 6 .1.4.2 Flanders (inland) 60 6.1.4.3 Central urban area 60 6 .1.4.3.1 "Belgian side of the metropolis" 60 6.1.4.3.2 Organisation of the central urban area 6l 6.1.4.4 The Révèle 61 6.1.4.5 Wooded belt comprising the Saint- Amandpark, Péronnes and Beloeil 61 6.1.4.6 'The Scheldt valley and the mining basin 6l 6.1.4.7 Haut-Rays du Borinage and the Bavay region 62 6.1.4.8 Sambre valley 62 6.1.4.9 The Avesnois and the "Botte du Hainaut" 6.1.5 Cenerai suggestions 62
7. MODELS OF LEGISLATION 67
7.1 BELGIUM - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY . 67
7.2 THE LAND OF NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN - THE LAND OF RHEINLAND-PFALZ - BELGIUM 69
7.3 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - LUXEMBOURG 73
7.4 BENELUX ' ‘ 77 INTRODUCTION As the process of West European integration deepens it is inevitable that the function of frontiers should be questioned and modified. In human terms the most immediately affected by trans frontier co-operation are the inhabitants of historic or natural regions which for decades or centuries have been bisected by political boundaries. So long as the delimitation of the European Nation-State tended to cut across regions once characterised by affinities of geography, language, economy and culture, the populations of these "transfrontier regions" were subject to the centrifugal attraction of national power centres, . Now that the tide is turning again in favour of regional development - in a socio-cultural as well as economic sense - both central and local government have grown more aware of thé need.to co-operate in' regions divided by frontiers. In some instances this co-operation has been institutionalised in the form of intergovernmental commissions, in other instances by'intergovernmental or intermunicipal agreements in specific sectors.
At European level a number of bodiés have addressed themselves to the problems and opportunities of co-operation in trans-frontier regions'. Particularly valuable contributions have been made in this respect, in the form of reports, recommendations and resolutions, by the Consultative Assembly of the' Council of Europe, by the European Conference of local-Authorities and, in the form of studies, by the Council of Europe intergovernmental Committee on Co-operation in Municipal ând Regional Matters (l).
On the ministerial plane, the European Conference of Ministers' ^ responsible for Regional Planning has given priority to the question of trans-frontier regions in its current programme of activity. Referring to the fact that in frontier regions divergent demographic and economic trends often hinder the process of regional harmonisation, the Eirst European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning (Bonn, 9-11 September,' 1970) requested governments:
"to co-ordinate their planning policies and' measures in these regions with the participation of those directly concerned, in' particular by creating regional committees to hold periodic 'meetings in,order to co-ordinate the preparation and timing of regional plans". (2)
(1) of which the most important are the following: - .Council of Europe, The Co-operation of European Prontier Regions - A study of the European Symposium on Erontier Regions by V. von Malchus,/AS/Coll/Front. (72) 1 _/, Strasbourg 1972. - Council of Europe, Consultative Assembly and European Conference of Local Authorities, European Symposium on Frontier Regions (29 June - 1 July 1972), Final Declaration, Strasbourg, 1972. - Council of Europe, Consultative Assembly Report on the European Symposium on Frontier Regions, by K. Ahrens, Doc 3228, Strasbourg. - Council of Europe, Consultative Assembly, Recommendation 639 (1973) on the European Symposium on Frontier Regions, Strasbourg, 1973. - Council of Europe, Committee on Co-operation in Municipal and Regional Matters, Study of the difficulties in European co-operation between local authorities, and ways of solving them, Final report by Mr. P. Orianne /CE/loc (73) 12/,-Strasbourg, 1973.
(2) Para. 29 of the Final Resolution of the 1st European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning, Bonn 1970, Council of Europe document CMAT (70) 11. The present document, which is based on papers submitted by- various national Delegations on the Committee of Senior Officials preparing the Second Ministerial Conference, sets out to provide an inventory of officially institutionalised co-operation in the trans frontier regions of countries which participate in the Conference.
Since the distinction between levels of composition of cited frontier commissions is sometimes difficult to make (notably in cases of collaboration between unitary and federal States), the classification of entries in this document usually follows the principle that where one central government is itself the agent of co-operation, the entry will be made under the section "Commissions and Agreements at Intergovernmental Level". At other levels, entries will appear under "Commissions and Agreements at Local and Regional Level". However, in certain compelling instances the same item has been included in both intergovernmental and local/regional categories.
Differentiation is also made between commissions and agreements of a bilateral type and those, of a multilateral (mainly trilateral) nature. Included in the latter category are those examples of t co-operation organised on the level of international institutions such as Benelux and the Nordic Council.
As contributions of the countries participating at the Second Ministerial Conference, the various elements contained in this inventory refer in the main to their common or "internal" frontiers. "External" frontiers, notably those forming boundaries with or within Eastern Europe, are - for lack of information - not considered. Documentation provided by the Spanish Delegation on frontier co-operation between Spain and Portugal is, however, included.
As far as can be ascertained only one member State, namely Italy, possesses governmental machiner?/ whereby, the co-ordination of activities in trans-frontier regions is centralised. Information on the Italian Central Office for Problems of Frontier Regions is . therefore included (cf. 2.13.1).
In the final chapter are incorporated four verbatim texts of legislation introduced by Belgium, the Federal Republic of G-ermany, Luxembourg and Benelux as it affects their common frontier regions. These may be regarded as exemplary. |
Material is set out according to countries in their English alphabetical order. Footnotes refer to specific information papers submitted by national Delegations on the Committee of Senior Officials preparing the Second European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning. BILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL 2. BILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AI INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL
2.1 AUSTRIA - ITALY
2.1.1 The . "Accordirlo." - Agreement of 12 May 1949 to facilitate trade in characteristic goods and "products between Trentino/Alto Adige and Tyrol/ Vorarlberg
This Agreement ratified by Italy through Act No. 730 of 20 May 1951, makes provision (Article 6) for the setting up of a Standing Joint Committee for the purpose of:
(a) eliminating any difficulties resulting from its application;
(b) making amendments and additions to the agreed quota lists according to the current economic situation;
(c) making proposals for improving and amplifying its terms.
The joint Commission can, and does, call on the assistance of chambers of commerce in the areas concerned. Its members.are appointed by the Austrian and Italian Ministries of foreign Affairs.
Under the Agreement, which has at times been the "only bridge" between Italy and Austria, the quota ceiling has risen from the initial 80 million lire to approximately 3,000 million lire (1972). However, now that Austria is associated with the EEC, one must ask whether the Agreement will retain its importance.
2.1.2 Italo-Austrian Sub-Commissions on regional problems and the Port of Trieste
A Joint Commission on economic co-operation was set up in 1972 and met in Rome from 22 - 29 November the same year. The agenda included numerous questions relating not only to the economic and commercial field but to all aspects of current and future Italo- Austrian relations.
Mention should be made in this regard of the setting-up of a Sub-Commission on Regional Problems, which has dealt with problems of common concern relating to town and country planning, the environment, etc. At the same meeting, the situation regarding the Port of Trieste was examined and it was decided to revive the Sub-Commission on the utilisation of the port, provided for in the Italo-Austrian Agreement of 22 October 1952.
2.2 AUSTRIA - SWITZERLAND
(a) Austrian-Swiss Commission set up under Article 23 of the Convention of 2 September 1963 on the setting-up of adjacent national control offices and on control aboard trains in transit;
(b) Joint Commission set up under the Austrian-Swiss Agreement of 20 July 1970 on the demarcation of the frontier between the two States and the maintenance of boundary signs;
(c) Commission set up under the Austrian-Swiss Convention of 30 April 194-7 on frontier traffic. 2.3 BELGIUM - PRANCE
2.3.1 Eranco-Belgian Plenary Commission for Regional Planning in Frontier Regions
Co-ordinates the three Regional Commissions:
(1) Nord/Pas-de-Calais (l) - Elanders/Hainaut
(2) Ardennes - Namur/Luxembourg
(3) Lorraine - Luxembourg
Co-ordinates the Sectoral Commissions already in existence or to be set up:
- railway communications
- road communications ^
- river communications
- water pollution
- water policy
■ - ports
- town and country planning
- agriculture
- employment and vocational training
- tourism
- public services
- security (firefighting, police)
The Sectoral Commissions deal with problems referred to them ( by the Plenary Commission or by the Regional Commission.
The Sectoral Commissions report on their work to the Regional Commissions and to the Plenary Commission.
The Hainaut-West - Planders-Nord-Pas-de-Calais Regional Commission has been constituted. Three working parties set up under that Commission have been charged with the task of preparing a programme of collaboration:
- town and country planning
- infrastructures: roads - navigable waterways - railways
- water pollution.
(l) cf. Chapter VI. The Regional Commissions sèt up sectoral working parties which are in contact with the Sectoral Commissions. There is also a "Town and Country Planning" Working Party.
The -"Town and Country Planning" Working Party has filed its programme.
The other Regional Commissions will be set up in the near future.
2.4 BELGIUM - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OP GERMANY
A Belgo-German Regional Planning Commission was established by Agreement (l) on 3 February 1971, for the purpose of promoting co-operation in regional planning matters, and, in particular, the harmonisation of measures taken in frontier regions. Article 4 of the Agreement makes provision for the creation of a Belgo-German Natural Park in the North Eifel/Schneifel/Hautes-Fagnes - Eifel frontier region.
2.5 DENMARK - SWEDEN
2.5.1 The ‘Öresund region
■ The Öresund region includes some of the most expansive areas in Denmark and Sweden which have become increasingly dependent on each other in recent years. Copenhagen exercises an increasing dominance over the Danish economy and West Scania is the economic centre for the whole of southern Sweden. Owing to the many problems involving co-ordination between the Swedish and Danish local authorities which have arisen, the Öresund Council was set up in 1964 with representatives from the Danish and Swedish local authorities. The "Parliament" of the .'Oresund Council consists of fifteen Swedish and fifteen Danish members' who meet at least once a year. The working group which is the body responsible for examination of all matters to be submitted to the Öresund Council comprises six Swedish and six Danish members. An Environmental Committee and a Committee for Cultural and Educational Matters also come under the supervision of the Working Group. The Council is to submit proposals to the local authorities, the State authorities or other organisations in matters relating to conditions in the region. Matters that have been discussed include regional policy, labour market matters, social welfare, environmental protection, communications, etc.
Among' the major projects which have been the subject of discussion the aerodrome at Saltholm may be mentioned. This matter has been taken up ax Danish-Swedish governmental level after preliminary investigation by the Council, and the Danish Government has now put forward a proposal to the Danish Parliament to the effect that the construction of the new airport would be completed by 1985.
(l) The texts of the Agreement setting up the Belgo-German Regional Planning Commission and the Agreement on co-operation in the establishment and development of a nature park are reproduced in extenso in Chapter VII, "Models of Legislation". The question of permanent communications over the Sound is also being considered at present at governmental level in connection with the aerodrome. An enquiry carried out into this matter (SOU 1 9 6 7:5 4) also discusses development of the economy, location ms.tters and matters relating to co-operation concerning public construction projects.
2.5.2 Specific developments since 1971
In the autumn of 1972 the Swedish Government offered to construct and finance on its own.a permanent road connection over the Sound between Copehagen and Malmö. Work has been in progress within a Danish-Swedish Committee of Senior Governmental Officials and a preliminary agreement has been reached by the Danish and Swedish Governments on the construction of this road connection and also a railway tunnel between Helsingborg and Helsing/r.
2.6 FINLAND - SWEDEN
2.6.1 Specific developments since 1971
(a) The Einnish-Swedish Boundary Treaty of 16 September 1971 agreed upon by Sweden and Finland came into forcé on 1 January 1972. 'The Treaty consists of detailed regulations regarding water installations, water regulations, fishing and protection against water pollution within an area comprising the boundary rivers including feeder streams, side streams and special outflows and furthermore the archipelago beyond the mouth of the Torne River. The joint Swedish-Finnish Boundary Rivers Commission has the task of implementing the Treaty. ■
(b) An Agreement on research co-operation between Swedish and Finnish authorities regarding the pollution situation in the Gulf of Bothnia was signed in Helsinki on 1 December 1972 and will apply provisionally until 31 December 1975. The purpose of this co-operation is to create a foundation for future agreements on the protection of the seas from pollution.
(c) The region comprising Stockholm county - Aland Islands/ Finland.
Since the question concerning the European highway connection between Finland and Sweden, with a link to the Aland Islands, has been taken up within the Inland Transport Committee of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the European highway No. 3 between Gothenburg and Stockholm was extended to Norrtälje/Kapellskär and .continued via ferries to Abo (Turku), with connecting links to the Aland Islands and further to Helsinki and the Finnish- Soviet border at Vaalimaa.
2.7 FRANCE - ITALY
2.7.1 Water supply for the town of Menton
By an Agreement signed in Paris on 28 September 1967, Italy and France entered into an arrangement concerning the supply of water to the town of Menton from the River Roja. Menton1s ,water supply has been guaranteed without prejudice to the interests of Ventimiglia and the other Italian municipalities that derive water from the Roja. The Agreement, which covers a seventy-year period and is renewable, was approved by Act No. 524 of 25 May 1970 and came into force on 14 October 1972 (Article 14). 2.7.2 Alpine.national parks:. Gran Paradise and La Vanoise
The governments of Italy and France are ' together seeking ways’.‘in agreement with the regions, provinces and municipalities concerned - of lengthening the frontier "between these’ two national parks by means of an extension to the Gran Paradiàe Park in the Upper Oreo Valley,.
Transfrontier co-operation in this.area .cannot but make for better protection of the natural assets.that are the raison d ’etre' of both . these parks. ..." ...... , ' ' , .
2.7.3 Coni-Breil-Ventimigli'a-Wice"raiI link. "
An Agreement, signed in Rome on 25. .June 1970,. ratified by the French Parliament 'on' 11- June-1971 and at; present being considered by the Italian Parliament has provided.an effective instrument for.the reconstruction of the' major -rail links', destroyed, during the. war .
The construction of this important" line" linking Coni and its - hinterland with the Ligurian.Riviera and.the Côte d'Azur, which will provide a third route between Italy.and' France, is eagerly awaited by the inhabitants o f . Piedmont and Liguria.,, as' well as by those of the', areas concerned on the French side (as is shown by the wishes repeatedly expressed by the local authorities'immediately after the war). ,
This line, which' it will b.e. possible to integrate effectively with a major European route., will form the basis of the future ' development of trade between Italy and France ahd a' substantial increase in tourist traffic.
2.7.4 Ramoge project
The purpose of the-Ramoge projectproposed by-the Prince of Monaco, is to eliminate all forms of pollution along the coast between Saint Raphael and Imperia (with the. prospect of. the measures envisaged being extended to include, the whole' stretch, of coast between '. Marseilles and Genoa). , _
In February 1970 an Italo-France-Monegasque Commission, comprising two working parties, (one administrative, the other technical), was set up to investigate the relevant problems.
Upon completing its work, the Commission (which included the Prefects of Imperia and the Department of Alpes-Maritimes) submitted to the governments concered a report proposing the broad' outlines of a political and administrative programme, as well as another report concerning subsequent technical and scientific studies (research into surface currents, aerial photography, and precautions in the event of new public refuse tips being established). One particularly interesting proposal is that a small ship be fitted out as a floating workshop for use by specialists from the three countries, who would then be able to work faster, compare, their data immediately ahd work out common criteria for evaluating marine phenomena.
On the administrative, side, the starting point was a comparison of the laws and regulations adopted by the three countries so far in an effort to curb sea pollution in the areas concerned. This revealed that responsibility for supervision was' divided among several authorities without there being any co-ordination; that the relevant standards were piecemeal and inadequate, and that current penalties were fairly ineffective and needed to be reviewed and harmonised. It was proposed that a tripartite commission he set up to work out various measures - some to he adopted immediately, others later. The immediate measures would include regulations to prohibit the discharge of the more harmful substances into the sea and to restrict such a practice in general, as well as a study of ways of improving purification techniques.
In Italy, the Ministry of the Interior (to he represented by the Prefect of Imperia) has been appointed to lead the Italian Delegation to the international commission set up for this purpose and to co-ordinate all measures taken within the country as part of the Ramcge project.
2.7.5 Relations between Sardinia and Corsica
In recent years, there have been frequent contacts between the governmental and regional authorities of Sardinia and Corsica, including exchange visits by Delegations.
Furthermore, periodic working meetings between the chambers of commerce of the two islands take place whenever the Standing Conference of French and Italian Chambers of Commerce is in session.
A study is being made of a proposal to establish a communications system aimed at bringing Sardinia and Corsica, considered as an entity,, within the Italo-French industrial triangle extending from Leghorn to Marseilles, and at further promoting international tourism on the two islands.
2.8 FRANCE - SPAIN
2.8.1 Frontier Commission of the Pyrenees
The chief task of the Frontier Commission of the Pyrenees between Spain and France is to harmonise the development of common interests in the frontier regions; it further attempts to find a solution to the technical, economic and political problems to which the life of the aforesaid regions gives rise.
2.8.1.1 , Terras of reference of the Commission
- Subjects relating to delimitation and frontier traffic
- Delimitation and demarcation of the frontiers. - Co-ordination of patrolling and security in customs and police posts. - Exchange of information on problems relating to permits, passports, etc. - Proper functioning of high mountain passes for tourists and rescue workers. - Use of forest roadways. - Convention for mutual aid between fire-fighting and rescue services.
- Subjects relating to infrastructural communication links
- Road transport for travellers and goods. Formalities. - Insurance for road traffic oetween frontier posts. - Telephone communications. - Rail communications. - Air communications (airports within the frontier zone). - Subjects relating to common rivers
- 3each.es. - Pishing. . ; - Islands. Patrolling. . - Extraction of dry matter. - Working parties for hydraulic utilisation.
- Agricultural problems , . .
- Sanitary and veterinary problems. . ’ ■ - Problems related to grazing. '
- Nature conservation and other . issues
- Agreements on national parks. . . . - Agreements on hunting and fishing. , . . - G-lobal Pyrenean studies. „ ^ , - Operations of the Chambers of‘Commerce, COPEP, Chambers of Agriculture, non-governmental organisations and assemblies, concerning local pastures (commemoration of the tricentenary o.f the Peace of the Pyrenees, etc.).
2.8.1.2 Composition and operation of the Frontier Commission '
The Plenary Commission meets once every two years, alternately in Spain and Prance, with the aim of co-ordinating the issues which have arisen over this period within the different local committees, or working parties; it deals with problems of a technical or local nature which requires resolutions at governmental level.
The Delegations, comprising representatives of the various ministerial departments concerned, are led by a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from each country. These representatives are themselves assisted by specialists, who are called in as required to deal with each problem.
The Secretariat of this Commission is provided by the Foreign Ministry, and it is through the Secretariat that problems are discusse
During the periods between two meetings of the Plenary Commission various sub-committees or,working parties are .appointed to investigate more specific or concrete problems, with the aim of reaching a solution. These meetings vary in frequency, and are held in each country in turn; they comprise qualified technicians from the various departments concerned, who usually submit their findings to the Plenary Commission at the conclusion of their discussions.
We may quote as an example the sub-committees appointed for the opening of new roads, the construction of bridges, the exploitation of the waterfalls on frontier rivers for electric power, or the study of agricultural problems (fishing, livestock, grazing, etc.).
2.8.1.3 Summary of activities
In recent years, various sub-committees have been appointed to deal with the following questions: . .
- Joint construction, of new bridges, connection of motorways, installation of adjacent checkpoints for the respective national customs and police services are subjects regularly dealt Viri til. In other sub-committees, problems of navigation on international rivers, canalisation, traffic and. parking are also considered.
- Here we may mention, as an example, the meetings which took place with the object of enhancing and preserving the international Island of Pheasants, where the marriage of Louis XIV and Maria-Theresa of Austria took place in the 17th century. Currently, the .problems of residual water pollution, and the cleansing of beaches in river estuaries are under consideration, in accordance with the existing legislation in each country. In other sub-committees, frontier co-operation contributes to the discussion of technical questions, such as the co-ordination of railway goods and passenger traffic, joint exploitation of the dams 011 the frontier rivers, and issues connected with the airports in zones bordering the frontier. There is also an agreement between the two countries' on the restriction of permits at the frontier itself, wrhose most recent provisions establish a non edificandi zone, twenty metres wide. The marking of the frontier is also dealt with in this agreement. Attention should be drawn to the existence of the sub-committees 'which, leaving aside technical questions, undertake the \ restoration of monuments common to the history of both countries^P As an'example'öf this, we may instance the Commission for the restoration of the road to Santiago de Compostella, which is renovating, throughout its length, the inns, highways, roads and churches which lay along the route followed by pilgrims since the 13th century 011 their way to Santiago to pray to the Saint.
2,9 PRANCE - SWITZERLAND
2.9.1 Existing Commissions -
(a) Standing Commission set up under Article 6 of the. Franco- Swiss Agreement of 10 March 1965 on -the demarcation and maintenance of the frontier;
(b) Pranco-Swiss Commission set up under Article 27 of the Convention of 28 September I960 on adjacent national control offices and on control in transit;
(c) Franco-Swiss Commission-set up under Article 45 of the Agreement of 25 April 1956 on the planning of Geneva-Cointrin^P airport and the setting up of adjacent national control offices at Ferney-Voltaire and Geneva-Cointrin;
(d) Pranço-Swiss Standing- Commissioti on the free zone of Haute- Savoie and the Gex district;
(e) International Commission set up under the Pranco-Swiss Convention of 16 November 1962 on the protection of the waters of Lake Genéva against pollution;
(f) Commission on the regulating of Lake Geneva';
(g) Commission on the development of the Doubs;
(h) Supervisory Commission set up under the Pranco-Swiss 'Convention of 23 August 1963 on the Emosson hydro-electric development project; (i) Commission set up under the Franco-Swiss Convention of 31 January 1938 on neighbourhood relations and supervision of borderland forests.
2.9.2 Commissions envisaged
It is proposed to set up a- joint consultative commission on neighbourhood questions, composed of the republic and canton of Geneva and the French departments of Ain and Haute-Savoie.
Its competence would cover: regional planning, environment and nature conservation, energy and transport, h'ousing, education, vocational training and research, leisure and sport, public health and health control, road communications.
2.10 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - LUXEMBOURG
A Treaty (l) between the Land of Rheinland-Pfalz and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg concerning the establishment of a common natural park was signed at Clervaux on 17 April 1964.
2.11 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - NETHERLANDS
(a) In 196,7 the governments of the Netherlands and Germany appointed the Netherlands-German Commission for.Physical . , Planning (Nederlands-Duitse Commissie voor de Ruimtelijke Ordening/Deutsch-Niederländische Raumordnungskommission), with two Sub-Committees, North and South, reporting to it. The boundary between the areas covered by the Sub-Committees lies roughly on the line Apeldoorn - Münster.
2.12 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND
(a) German-Swiss Commission set up under Article 11 of the Treaty of 23 November 1964 on the inclusion of the commune of Büsingen am Hochrhein in the Swiss customs area;
(b). German-Swiss Commission appointed under Article 25 of the Convention of 1 June 1961 on the setting up of adjacent national control offices and on control aboard trains in transit;
(c) Kembs Plant Supervisory Commission;
(d) Commission on the use of water power along the Baden- Württemberg - Switzerland stretch of the Rhine between Basle and Lake Constance;
(e) Commission on Frontier and Transit Traffic, set up under the German-Swiss Agreement of 5 February 1958.
(l) The text of the Treaty is reproduced in extenso .in Chapter VII, "Models of Legislation". 2.13 ITALY
2.13.1 Central Office for Problems of Frontier Regions
The Central Office for Problems of Frontier Regions officially set up under the Ministry of the Interior by a Ministerial Decree of 25 June 1969. This measure simply gave formal recognition to various activities that had been pursued for several years more or less outside the sphere covered by the traditional authorities.
At this moment in history, when there is a drive towards European unity and régionalisation, border areas have acquired a special character and significance since it is there more than anywhere else that various distinctive trends first emerge and develop.
It is no exaggeration to say that frontier regions are assuming a pioneering role in the transformation of European society and its political and administrative structures. Hence the need for the central authority to play a more active and specific part in the events occurring, in co-operation with regional and local authorities.
The Office has abandoned the old practices and is undergoing a renovation both internally.and internationally. In dealing with the highly complex economic and social problems of frontier regions, it performs a function of study, liaison and stimulus.
In addition to the problems of frontier regions, the Office also deals with those of linguistic minorities who largely, though not exclusively, belong to such areas.
Finally the Office pays particular attention to problems concerning transfrontier co-operation, a-sector in which the effects of the European and regional impetuses are developing and contacts beüween Italian and foreign organisations proliferating.
It is in frontier areas that the interests of central, regional and local authorities intermingle, with the result that all must co-operate for the benefit of. frontier populations.
Accordingly, representatives of the Office took an active part in the European Symposium on Frontier Regions (Strasbourg, 29 June - 1 July 1972) and in the recent meeting in Austria of the Preparatory Committee for the Vienna Conference on the Environment. At that meeting guidelines were drawn up for the conclusion by the European countries of bilateral agreements on frontier regions where nature conservation measures are being applied.
The Bureau recently obtained statutory recognition through Article 34 of Presidential Decree No. 748 of 30 June 1972.
2.14 ITALY - SWITZERLAND
2.14.1 Frontier workers
A joint Italian-Swiss Commission on the Emigration Agreement has appointed a bilateral Technical Commission to make a thorough study of the problems of Italian frontier workers in Switzerland.
In addition to the problem of speeding up traffic at border crossings used by frontier workers, the Commission has looked into welfare questions (in particular those concerning company pension funds), contractual matters and tax problems. The. taxation of frontier workers',' which is a particularly important matter, has been discussed several times by the Technical Commission (the last time being from 22 - 24 January 1973), but no solution has yet been found. The situation is that Italian frontier workers pay taxes in Switzerland, where they are employed, but in practice they do not make use of any Swiss public service because they return home to Italy every night, furthermore, all expenditure on housing and assistance for such workers and their families is borne by the Italian municipalities in the border area. The Swiss Delegation has so far insisted that any "concessions, in the' matter (such as waiving the principle of - taxation at the place of work) must be subject to the conclusion of a general agreement on 'dual taxation that is valid throughout both .States. However, .it is surely incompatible with the principle's of equity to make a solution of this problem, which concerns a relatively small number of workers, .conditional upon the conclusion of a complex agreement which would 'inevitably be the subject of lengthy,’ negotiations.
2.14.2 Protection of Italo-Swlss waters against pollution
An Italo-Swiss Agreement on the protection of common waters aga.inst pollution was signed in Rome on 20 April 1972. It provides that all Italo-Swiss surface and ground waters, in particular Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and all waterways flowing along or across the frontier will be protected against pollution.
It ' is accordingly planned to set’up a joint Commission for the purpose of: , . ,
- 'examining all problems relating to pollution;
,. - organising/and conducting all necessary research on the subject ;
,- preparing the relevant financial plans;
- proposing appropriate measures to the governments concerned;
- proposing regulations to safeguard the purity of the waters .in question. '. ,
2.14.3' Other joint Commissions
(a) Joint Commission set up under the Italian-Swiss Convention o f '23 May 1958'on the building and operation of the Grand Saint-Bernard road tunnel;
(b) Italian-Swiss Commission set up under Article 25 of the Agreement of 11 March 1961 .on adjacent national control ', offices and'on control in transit;
(c) Italian-Swiss Commission on the Maintenance of the Frontier;
,(d) Commission on Navigation between the Adriatic and the Lago Maggiore and the Regulating df the Lago Maggiore ;
(e.) Supervisory Commission on the Regulating of Lake Lugano; (f) Supervisory Commission set up under the Italian-Swiss Convention of 27 May 1957 on the Use of the Water Power of the Spöl;
(g) Commission set up under the Italian-Swiss Convention of 2 July 1953 on frontier Traffic and Grazing.
2.15 ITALY - YUGOSLAVIA
2.15.1 London Agreement
The London Agreement of 5 October 1954 - under which the military accupation of Zones A and B (which were to have formed the Pree Territory of Trieste) was ended, Zone A being handed over to the Italian Government and Zone B to' the Yugoslav Government - contains several appendices, the most important of which is the Special Statutue which guarantees to minorities in the two zones the same rights and treatment as other inhabitants and affords protection for their legitimate linguistic, cultural and economic interests.
Article 8 of the Statute provides for the setting up of a Joint Itàlo-Yugoslav Commission to assist and advise on problems concerning the protection of the Yugoslav ethnic group in the zone under Italian administration and pf the Italian ethnic group in the zone administered by Yugoslavia. The Commission is also responsible for considering individual complaints by persons belonging to either minority group.
The Commission consists of two Italian and two Yugoslav members. One or two substitutes may also be nominated and, where necessary, one or two experts.
The Commission is mainly a consultative body and its opinions and recommendations must be adopted unanimously; if unanimity is not reached, the opinion of -each member must be set out in detail. The Commission immediately informs both governments of the results of its discussions.
The Commission meets in ordinary session once a year; during the inter-session period,.there is a meeting of the chairmen of the two delegations.
Despite the delicate nature of the problems .with which it has to 1 deal, the Commission makes a valuable contribution to the protection of the two ethnic groups; the agreements already concluded on school and cultural exchanges for the two groups provide evidence of this.
2.15.2 Agreements on the movement of persons and goods
2.15.2.1 Udine Agreement
Pursuant to paragraph 7 of the London Agreement, the Italian and Yugoslav Governments concluded an agreement to regulate, the movement of persons as well as transport and communications by land and water between the two neighbouring zones.
The Agreement was signed at Udine on 20 August 1955 and published, in so far as the territory of Trieste was concerned, in the ordinary supplement to Official Gazette No. 24 of 22 August 1955 of the Government Commissariat. It provides for tax and customs concessions for persons living in the area on either side of the demarcation line, particularly for agricultural producers and for workers and employees living in one zone and regularly travelling to work in the neighbouring zone. A Standing Italo-Yugoslav Joint Commission meets alternately in Italy and Yugoslavia to supervise the implementation of the Agreement, solve any questions about its interpretation and discuss measures to improve its enforcement.
The Udine Agreement, considered as a model of its kind owing to the novelty of its guidelines, the complexity of its subjects and the nature of the solutions adopted, was renewed on 31 October 1962 and ratified by Act. No. 920 of 26 May 1965.
2.15.2.2 Agreement of 31 March 1955
A further Agreement was concluded on 31 March 1955, again in pursuance of the London Agreement, to regulate and facilitate local trade between the zone of Trieste and the neighbouring zones of Buie, Capodistria, Sezana and Nova Gorica.
The quotas of goods which may be imported and exported duty-free are revised from time to time.
The Agreement was approved by Act. No. 1588 of 19 December 1956 and is tacitly renewable each year unless either Party denounces it three months before expiry.
2.15.2.3 "Alps-Adria"
Again for the purpose of facilitating frontier trade, the Italian and Yugoslav Governments have entered into an additional trade arrangement for Italian and Yugoslav products in connection with the international "Alps-Adria" Pair, which is held in Ljubljana every May.
The arrangement is a two-way one since, in return for the goods it imports, the Trieste Company agrees to export Italian goods to the same value, either direct or through another company. The arrangement involves companies in Slovenia and Croatia on the one hand and in the Priuli Venezia-Giulia region on the other.
The Udine Agreement, the Agreement of 31 March 1955 and the "Alps-Adria" Agreement have given a tremendous boost to the movement of persons and to trade between the border areas in Italy and Yugoslavia, as well as helping to bring about a gradual improvement in relations between the border populations. This improvement has been of particular benefit to the minority ethnic groups, and for that reason the Italo-Yugoslav demarcation line can today rightly be called one of the most open frontiers in Europe; indeed, Italo-Yugoslav relations are quoted as an example of co-operation between countries with different forms of government.
2.15.2.4 Italo-Yugoslav Pishing Agreement
An Agreement on fishing in the Adriatic was concluded on 5 November 1965. It was initially valid for three years but has been renewed on every expiry date.
This arrangment with Yugoslavia, which guarantees Italian fishermen the right to continue their activities in waters where they have always fished, is an important factor in relations between the two countries. 2.14.2.5 Italo-Yugoslav talks on the protection o.f the Adriatic against pollution
As a result of contacts initiated by mutual agreement, negotiations are in progress over an international instrument to provide more effective protection of the waters of the Adriatic Sea through measures to be taken at either national or bilateral level.
Por this purpose, a meeting between the delegations of the two countries took place in Rome in 1972. At the meeting preliminary consideration was given to the problem, which calls for both short and long-term action to remedy the adverse effects of the various sources of pollution.
2.16 SPAIN - ANDORRA
There is a Commission responsible for frontier questions in general, and in particular for administrative co-operation in intermediate education, in broadcasting, in labour problems, and for subjects connected with the issue of stamps, with the control of movements, of capital, with social security, the exchange of. goods and the transit quota, exports and imports.
2.17 SPAIN - PORTUGAL
2.17.1 Plenary Commission for Economic Co-operation
The governments of the two countries, in their common desire to strengthen economic relations, and'taking account of the present movement towards the planning of large economic areas, agreed to the setting-up of a plenary Commission for Economic Co-operation which studies the following:
- Co-operation 'in the areas of mining -, power, iron, metallurgy, food supplies, chemistry, etc.
- Co-operation in agricultural matters.
- Co-operation in fishing matters.
- Co-operation in questions relating to communications and transport'. •
- Co-operation' in the area of economic planning.
- Trade problems.
2.17.2 frontier Commission
furthermore, a frontier Commission is set up with Portugal which, like the Commission with Prance,■ has as its chief task to harmonise the development of common interests in the frontier regiOiis.
As in the case of france, various sub-committees have been set up to find solutions to practi'cal problems.
Problems studied within the sub-committees include common fishery in the international sections of rivers, works of public usefulness, and exploitation of hydraulic resources, water pollution, rail and road links, as well as any arising in the life of both countries. Agreements and Conventions result from all these meetings, such as those relating to mutual aid in fire-fighting and rescue services, to delimitation of the frontier, or those which have a technical purpose in the carrying out of particular work projects. There is a shared desire to operate regional planning in a way which contributes more beneficially to natural life and people’s enjoyment, and with this aim, studies are made of the problems involved in the creation of natural parks and the promotion of hunting and fishing.
2.18 YUGOSLAVIA (l)
Oo-operation between Yugoslavia and its neighbours in the regional planning field dates back to 1969. The work of the various committees responsible for such efforts has produced striking results where Austria, Italy, Hungary and Rumania are concerned.
(l) This document does not refer to specific examples of co-operation in trans-frontier regions between Yugoslavia and Hungary and Yugoslavia and Rumania. Ill . MULTILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL
r 3. ' MULTILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT INTERGOVERNMENTAT, LEVEL 1------
'3.1‘ AUSTRIA - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OE GERMANY - SWITZERLAND
(a) International Commission, set up under the Convention of 27 October I960, on the protection of Lake Constance against pollution, and composed of representatives of the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (l)
(b) Commission on the Regulating of Lake Constance (Federal Republic of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (l);
(c) Ten-year Agreement on the navigation of Lake Constance - signed on 1 June by representatives of the three central authorities, on board a vessel located at equal distance from the three States.
3.2 BELGIUM - FRANCE - NETHERLANDS - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND - UNITED KINGDOM
Central Commission on the Navigation of the Rhine whose members are Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the Federal Republic of Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
3.3 BENELUX •
The Belgo-Netherlands-Luxembourg Economic Union (BEU), called Benelux for short, incorporates a;Special’ Commission for Physical Planning (2). In view of the great emphasis placed on regional planning, this Commission has appointed four regional Sub-Committees: West, Centre, East and South. All three countries are represented on these Sub-Committees by ministerial.officials. In addition, the Netherlands has appointed to these Committees representatives of the .Provincial Planning Departments, while furthermore a Working Party ’ "Maps" for the Benelux countries has been formed.to co-ordinate the cartographic work of the four Sub-Committees'. The principal task this Working Party has performed so far is the compilation of a uniform legend for regional planning maps: "Streekplannen" in the Netherlands and "Gewestplannen" in Belgium (Uniforme legende voor streek- en gewestplannen/Légende" Uniforme pour les Plans Régionaux et de Secteur). This "uniform legend" will probably be published early in 1972. The Preliminary Study by Professor I.B.F. Kormoss (document CMAT/HF (71) 6 prov. dated 1 June 1971) contains an extract and a brief discussion on this "uniform legend", which has been designed for a scale of 1:25,000, but with some modifications it can also be used for scales 1:50,000 and 1:100,000.
(1) See also chapter 5.2.
(2) The text of the Decision setting up this Commission is reproduced in extenso in Chapter VII, "Models of Legislation". Furthermore the Working Party "Maps" of the Benelux has compiled a "Uniform Legend for Touristic Maps" (Légende uniforme pour l ’établissement des Cartes Touristiques), which, in principle, is suitable for use with various map scales: symbols for main groups, sub-groups and elements with a diminishing degree of generalisation and abstraction.
For the uniform legend for regional planning maps four parallel series of symbols have been designed, such with a view to the different methods of reproduction, depending on the lifetime and/or the number of copies printed of these maps.
3.4- FINLAND - NOEWAY - SWEDEN
3.4.1 The Arctic regions
Geographically speaking, the Arctic regions comprise those parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden which are situated north of the Arctic Circle. As far as the Arctic regions co-operation is concerned, however', the area is delineated in a more functional manner and includes Lappland county in Finland, Norrbotten county in Sweden and Finnmark, Troms and Nordland counties in Norway. The inclusion of Vasterbotten county in Sweden in this co-operation has also been discussed.
Economically and geographically, the Arctic regions present a contrast to the Öresund region. The surface area is a-total of 361,000 square kilometres while the population is below 1.2 million. Between 5$ and 12$ of the populations of the respective countries live in this area. To a greater extent than anywhere else, industry is based on natural resources. Movement outwards and unemployment are high and permanent.
The Arctic regions have formed an economic and geographical unit for a long time. Frontiers in the proper meaning of the word did not exist until they were claimed at the end of the last century for customs policy reasons. Present co-operation which has been intensified during the 1960s aims at the removal of the negative effects of this administrative division.
Areas of co-operation of importance relate to good through communications, inter-country roads, bridge constructions, through air routes etc. The long frontier between northern Norway and northern Sweden has been short of roads for a long time. Construction of the Umbukta and Graddis roads is now in progress and a decision has been reached on the construction of a road between Kiruna and Narvik over the period 1974-77.
Co-operation is also exercised in the exploitation of hydro electric power resources. Concrete examples of this are that some Finnish villages are supplied with Swedish power and that the Norwegian and Swedish trunk lines are interconnected at the frontier. Co-operation is organised within NORDEL which was formed in 1963 and consists of people employed in the electricity supply industries in the countries concerned. The aim of NORDEL is to promote international but primarily Nordic co-operation as regards the production, distribution and consumption of electric power. Co-operation was intensified in 1968 when work began on the development within the framework of NORDEL of an information system with the aim of promoting exchange of power between the countries and improving production economy. NORDEL carried out an enquiry in 1969-70 into co-ordination of plans for expansion within-the Nordic power system and as a result laid down design rules for the expansion of power which safeguard the advantages of an interlinked power system. Technical interlinkage'problems have also been discussed.
' A frontier river treaty has been reached between Finland and Sweden. It is expected that this will come into force on 1 January 1972. •
The Joint Nordic Board for Lapp Matters and Reindeer Husbandry - deals with matters concerning reindeer breeding and cultural matters such as teaching in the Lapp language. . At the suggestion of a working group, the matter of a joint Norwegian-Swedish-Finnish Lapp Institute, with a secretariat at Tromsö, is under consideration at present. From the autumn of 1970, Norway has been conducting an experiment with high school instruction in the Lapp language at Karasjok. The Joint Board has also discussed the setting-up of a joint Nordic reindeer husbandry school.
In the field of medical care, negotiations have been held concerning the co-ordination of ambulance services within the Arctic regions.- On the recommendation of the Nordic Council, negotiations are taking place at present between the Swedish and Finnish-medical care authorities concerning the possibility of reaching agreement on hospital care in Tornodalen, so that the population in-the area may- have a free choice of medical care on both sides of the frontier. A joint frontier hospital -has been discussed.
The Nordic Council adopted:a recommendation in 1966 concerning co-operation in the field of location policy. Part of the recommendation referred to the Arctic regions. ‘ At a meeting of Nordic Ministers of ; Labour the next year, an ad hoc Comniittee 'was set up for the region - with three representatives from each country. The task of this Committee is to ascertain what are the concrete possibilities of economic co-operation primarily in the field of industry and commerce. Its main areas of work so far have been: (l) communications, (2) tourism, (3) agriculture and forestry, (4) reindeer husbandry, (5) local authority services, (6) adult education, and (7) power supply. It may be mentioned as a concrete result of -the work of this ad hoc Committee that an agreement has been reached between Haparanda and Tornea concerning the construction of a joint sewage purification plant and water works and that an adult education centre for the Arctic regions has been set up at övertornea in Sweden.
An example of industrial and economic co-operation is the shipment of Kiruna ore from the port of Narvik.
In the cultural sector, co-operation takes place within the Arctic Regions Cultural Council. It is the Arctic regions conferences, which were instituted during the 1960s, which constitute the focal point of the Arctic regions co-operation in an organisation sense. These are held every, other year and have the character of a general assembly of local councillors and officials in the Arctic regions, and representatives of the governments, central authorities, research and educational organisations. The conferences do not make decisions but pass resolutions. 3.4.2 Further frontier co-operation between Sweden, Norway and Finland
As a result of a recommendation made in 1970 by the Nordic Council, the matter of upgrading the "Hu e route" to a European highway is under consideration. This route extends from Nesna to Mo in Rana, over the frontier at Umbukta to Storuman, from where it would be connected to European highway No. 79 to Vasa and Helsinki. Extension of the blue route would have favourable consequences for the Swedish hinterland since it would then be possible to transport Swedish timber directly to Norwegian ports. No decision has been reached on this matter as yet, due to, the fact that it is not known when transport intensity on the blue route will reach a level high enough to justify its inclusion in the network of European highways.
Negotiations have been held as a result of a recommendation of the Nordic Council in 1968 concerning the establishment of a nature reserve for the preservation of large predators.
The Nordic Council also submitted recommendations to the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Governments in 1969 to the effect that.travellers not carrying goods subject to customs dues and taxes should be allowed free frontier passage. In 1971, the Ministries of Finance and the customs authorities in Finland and Sweden agreed that bona fide residents of the.frontier regions should be enabled to pass the frontier freely also at places other than the official customs route, provided that they are not carrying dutiable goods. 3.4.3 The region comprising Stockholm county - Aland Islands/ Finland Both the County Administrative Board and the County Council in Stockholm county .co-operate with the Aland Islands with regard to the prob lems of the Archipelago: low population density, employment and service. The County Council has had contacts in the regional planning context. Co-operation has.not so far been carried on in institutional forms. In 1967, the Nordic Council recommended to the governments of Finland and Sweden that they should implement the proposal concerning the European highway connection between Finland and Sweden, with a link to Aland, in .accordance with the proposal of the working group (Nordic enquiry?? Series 1966:5). After consideration by the Swedish and Finnish road and water authorities, the matter-was submitted in V 1971 to the Band Transport Committee of the European Commission of the United Nations, the decision of which is now awaited.
3.4.4 The future of regional frontier co-operation
A resolution was formulated at a seminar at Karlstad in 1967 to the effect that there must be facilities in the frontier regions for the establishment of joint State and local authority institutions, .for instance in the fields of nature conservation, water conservation and public service. Since there has been no legal basis so far for this co-operation, the Nordic Council recommended to the governments in the Nordic countries in 1969 that they should investigate the need for, and the possibilities of, such- changes in local authority legislation and other legislation as would enable the creation of permanent legal forms for co-operation between the local authorities over the national frontiers. As a result of this, a Committee (the Nordic Local Government Law Committee) has been formed with representatives from, the ministries affected. The Committee is at present engaged in collecting information relating to existing frontier co-operation between the local authorities. It is a common feature of the various frontier region co-operative efforts described above that they are the result of concrete requirements varied as to their character. In the Öresund region, it is the acute environmental and planning problems which predominate. The local authorities around Idefjorden need speedy co-operative measures in the field of water conservation. For the Arctic regions the need of location policy measures is of central importance.
3.4.5 S-pecific developments since 1971
Since 1973, the "Blue Route" has extended from Mo i Rana, over the frontier at Umbukta to Storuman, Lycksele and Umeâ, whence the "Blue Route" is linked by ferry and European Highway No. 79 to Vasa and Helsinki.
3.5 FRANCE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND
3.5.1 Tripartite Commission of.the "Regio"
. At a meeting held at Paris in February 1973 French, German and Swiss governmental delegates and the representatives of the Land of Baden-Württemberg and half-cantons of Basle-Urban and Basle-Rural decided to make a list of the activities- which-, concerned the triangular frontier area of Alsace, Baden-Württemberg and Basle, sometimes referred to as the "Regio. Basiliensis", with a view to setting up, at a subsequent meeting to be held in the Federal Republic, of Germany at the end of 1973, a tripartite commission to co-ordinate these activities. (See also section 5.5») 3.6 FRANCE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - LUXEMBOURG - NETHERLANDS - SWITZERLAND
International Commission on the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution, set up under the Agreement of 29 April 1963 and composed of the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
3.7 COUNTRIES OF THE NORDIC COUNCIL
3.7.1 Developments since 1971
(a) The Nordic Council of Ministers was established in 1971 in order to strengthen co-operation at governmental level between the Nordic countries.
A number of committees of Senior Government Officials are working under the auspices of the Council. Of special interest in the context of transfrontier co-operation, are the Committees dealing with regional matters and transport and environmental questions.
(b) The Committee of Senior Governmental Officials dealing with regional matters has on its programme a special investigation concerning the need and possibilities for a c.o-ordination of regional policy instruments with regard to, inter alia, the transfrontier co-ordination of general or special air areas. The emphasis of the investigation is placed on increased co-operation in frontier regions. The Committee of Senior Government Officials dealing with transport questions has on its programme, inter alia, studies of extension and expansion of Tra:is-Nordic highways and Inter-Nordic air connections, particularly in the Arctic region. (c) The Nordic Contact Group for Environmental Protection is the organ of the governments for co-operation, in the field of environmental protection. The mandate -of the contact group comprises the entire field of nature and environmental protection hut the main emphasis lies on pollution and noise abatement. The Contact Group work programme includes investigations of the pollution situation in the boundary waters of the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia, Öresund, Skagerak and Kattegat.
Within the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, a draft agreement called the Nordic Agreement oh Environmental Protection has been drawn up in which the Parties agree to make mutual considerations when authorising activities which are harmful to the environment. When considering applications for permission for certain activities inimical to the environment, the national governments (authorities) will be obliged to take account of harmful effect's oh. other Nordic countries in the same way as account is taken of environmental effects in the country where the activity is located. The draft agreement has now been submitted to the governments for consideration. 4
3.7.2 The future of regional frontier co-operation
The Nordic local Government law Committee, established on à recommendation of the Nordic Council, is expected to publish its findings with the’ next months. BILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL 4. BILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL
4.1 AUSTRIA - ITALY
In the spirit of the "Accordino" (see chapter 2.1.1), representatives of the Landestag of the Tyrol and provincial parliament of Bolzano- 5.Tyrol (S. Tyrol), meeting at Bolzano in 1970, agreed to inaugurate transfrontier co-operation in regional planning. At their second meeting (Innsbruck, May 1971), explicit' reference was made to the recommendations for transfrontier co-operation contained in the final Resolution of the First European. Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning (Bonn, 1970). Thus at this second meeting, the representatives launched systematic and permanent co-operation between the representative regional governments and assemblies. It was decided to hold a plenary meeting once a year and joint committee meetings on an ad hoc basis. A third meeting was held in Bolzano in 1972, and a fourth at Innsbruck in July 1973. 4.2 DENMARK - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
Although the drawing of a boundary line between two countries may be equivalent to limiting a planning region as far as economic geography and other conditions are concerned,'there will be tasks and problems in several sectors which will be common to both sides of this border in relation to its physical planning and which can best be handled through mutual co-operation.
There is no joint regional plan for the Danish-German border area, but for several years there has currently been co-operation at the municipal level. In local government this co-operation has developed quite naturally as the need for it has arisen.
On the county council level, close co-operation across the border has similarly arisen, with the last joint discussion between the country authorities having taken place in April 1971. Denmark is greatly interested in a two-way exchange of information and in discussions of common problems taking place at regular intervals. Such interest is also expressed from the German side, e.g. in the comments to "Raumordnungsplan" for the German border region published in 1969.
The sectors in physical planning where mutual co-operation has had special significance, and where it might even be said that the work would not have been tackled satisfactorily without such co-operation, include traffic and jurisdictional matters, drinking water supplies, waste water disposal, land reclamation and the securing of dikes.
As regards traffic and matters of jurisdiction, co-operation has been established for many years between the highway, customs and police authorities. Through joint analyses and studies, the siting of a motorway across the border has been finalised, and its provisional connection to the Danish road system. Furthermore the customs authorities have come to an agreement concerning a joint frontier station at the Oksevejen border crossing. In a decade when the problems of water and soil pollution are gaining force in their impact on physical planning, it can be stressed that at the Danish-German border, where a large stretch of the boundary is a county water course with the demarcation line running mid-stream, for many years a division of labour has taken place in respect to - y i -
maintenance, so that this is shared reciprocally by agreement between the two countries. Twice a year a joint inspection is made of a certain stretch of frontier; it is then agreed how any improvements and maintenance shall be carried out.
In April 1972 the South Jutland County Council, Flensburg City and Flensburg County agreed to commence an investigation of pollution in Flensburg Fjord. The. work is expected to be concluded by the end of 1973 and is estimated to cost about 1.6 million kr. It is to be directed by a Committee made up of representatives from the Parties to the agreement.
Another important organ for co-ordination of joint interests in Danish-German planning across the border is the co-ordination Committee appointed by the Danish Ministry of Agriculture for the marshes near Tonder. Among its duties is the handling of problems arising from the drainage work done through the Hojer sluice. German quarters have indicated to the Committee the desirability of additional land drainage on the German side of the border through a proposed expansion of this sluice. ^
With regard to the securing of dikes and land reclamation in this part of the country, this also takes place in close co-operation with the German authorities. Thus the construction of a new sea-dike to the west of the existing one, now under discussion in Denmark, will only be possible through a special agreement with the German authorities.
In connection with, drinking water supplies in the area, negotiations are now well, under way for the supply to certain properties in Germany of water from a waterworks, in Danish territory, at Sofiendal.
The South Jutland County Council has decided to attempt an overall plan for the anticipated development with the county. This plan must of course be prepared with consideration to the conditions south of the frontier.
4.3 DENMARK - SWEDEN
« • 4.3.1 The Oresund region
The Oresund region includes some of the most rapidly developing 4 areas in Denmark and- Sweden which have become increasingly dependent on each other in recent years, Copenhagen exercises an increasing dominance over the Danish economy and West Scania is the economic centre for the whole of southern Sweden. Owing to the many problems involving co-ordination between the Swedish and Danish local authorities which have arisen, the Oresund Council was set up in 1964 with representatives froin the Danish and Swedish local authorities. The "Parliament" of the ’Öresund Council consists of fifteen Swedish and fifteen Danish members who meet at least once a year. The Working Group which is the body responsible for examination of all matters to be submitted to the ’Öresund Council comprises six Swedish and six Danish members. An Environmental Committee and a Committee for Cultural and Educational Matters also come under the supervision of the Working Group. The Council is ,to submit proposals to the local authorities, the State authorities or other organisations in matters relating to conditions in the region. Matters that have been discussed include regional policy, labour market matters, social welfare, environmental protection, communications, etc. ; ' Among the major projects which have teen the subject of discussion the aerodrome at Saltholm may be mentioned. This matter has been taken up at Danish-Swedish governmental level after preliminary investigation by-'the Council, and the Danish Government has now put forward'a proposal to the Danish Parliament to the effect that the construction of the new airport would be completed in 1985.
The question of permanent communications over the Sound is also being considered at present at governmental level in connection with the aerodrome. An enquiry carried out into this matter (SOU 1967:54). also discusses development of the economy, location matters and matters relating to co-operation concerning public construction projects.
4.3.2 Specific developments since 1971
In the autumn of 1972 the Swedish Government offered to construct and finance on its own a permanent road connection over the Sound between Copenhagen and Malmö. Work is now in progress within a Danish- Swedish Committee of Senior Governmental Officials to prepare a preliminary agreement on this subject between the Danish and Swedish Governments.
4.4 FINLAND - SWEDEN
4.4.1 Specific developments since 1971
Mention may be made in this connection of further co-operation, at local authority level between the municipalities of Haparanda (Sweden) and Tornea (Finland) in a joint sewage disposal plant and between the municipalities of Kiruna (Sweden) and Enontekis (Finland) on a joint fire extinguishing agreement.
4.5 FRANCE - ITALY
4.5.1 Relations between Sardinia and Corsica
■ In recent years,'there have been frequent contacts between the governmental and regional authorities of Sardinia and Corsica,- including exchange visits by Delegations.
Furthermore periodic working meetings between the Chambers of Commerce of the two islands take place whenever the Standing Conference of French and Italian Chambers of Commerce are in session.
A study is being made of a proposal to establish a communications system aimed at bringing Sardinia and Corsica, considered as an entity, within the Italo-French industrial triangle extending from Leghorn to Marseilles, and at further promoting international tourism on the two islands.
4.5.2 Standing Conference of French and Italian Chambers of Commerce in Frontier Regions
The first meeting of the Standing Conference of French and Italian Chambers of Commerce in Frontier Regions was held in Turin in July 1952.
In October 1972 the 21st meeting was held, attended by representatives of ten Italian Chambers of Commerce (Turin, Alexandria, Asti, Coni, Imperia, Novara, Sassari, Savona, Vercelli and Aosta) and of ten French Chambers (Grenoble, Ajaccio, Annecy, Bastia, Chambéry, Digne, Gap, Nice, Toulon and Vienne). One may safely say that, in more than twenty years of activity, no question of common concern to the two countries has been overlooked by the Conference, which has been guided by the following principles:
(a) consideration of questions directly affecting the frontier areas ;
(b) thorough study of local problems in relation to the changes occurring in Europe, so that they may be viewed in the wider context of the major continental problems;
(c) intensification of human relations, both through personal contacts in the economic and administrative spheres and through an exchange of information.
4.6 IRELAND - UNITED KINGDOM
4.6.1 local authorities' co-operation across the border in Ireland (lT~
The legal framework within which formal co-operation between neighbouring local authorities on either side of the land frontier may find practical expression is rooted in one Public and General Act of the'Parliament at Westminster and two Public and General Acts of the Parliament at Stormont. These are:
The Northern Ireland Act 1947 (10 and 11 Geo. 6 ch. 37);
The Roads Act (Northern Ireland) 1948 (1948 ch. 48);
The Public Health and local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1955 (1955 ch. 13).
Under section 1 (2) of the Northern .Ireland Act 1947 neither the general limitation imposed by section 4 of the Government of Ireland Act 1920, confining the legislative power of the Parliament of Northern Ireland to the making of laws in respect of matters exclusively relating to the portion of Ireland within their jurisdiction, nor the specific limitations imposed by paragraphs (4) and (7) of that section precluding that parliament from making laws in respect of relations with foreign States or in respect of trade with any place out of the part of Ireland within their jurisdiction, shall apply to the making by that parliament of laws with respect to schemes providing for ;
The use or development of water power for the purpose of generating electricity or for any other purpose;
The storage or supply of water;
The drainage or irrigation of land;
The supply of electircity;
The provision, maintenance, improvement, alteration or abandonment of highways, railways, inland waterways or bridges.
(l) Council of Europe, -Memorandum on local authorities' co-operation across the border in Ireland, presented by the "British Delegation to the Committee on Co-operation in Municipal and Regional Matters, ^CE/LOC (71) 147. Under section 14 (l) of the Roads Act (Northern Ireland) 1948 the Council of a county may, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Development, from time to time prepare and by resolution adopt schemes having for their object the construction, maintenance, improvement, alteration or abandonment of bridges that support the land frontier, and extending as well to the portion of Ireland outside the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Northern Ireland as to the portion of Ireland within that jurisdiction.
Under section 1 (l) of the Public Health and. Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1955, a sanitary authority or joint board supplying water within their own district may with the sanction of the Ministry of Development prepare and adopt a scheme for the supply of water to a local authority or statutory water undertaking outside Northern Ireland.
Examples of co-operation under the Roads Act include the construction of the Strabane-Lifford- bridge (about ten years ago) and the planned reconstruction of the Moy bridge on the. A5 between Aughnacloy (County Tyrone) and Monaghan. In both these cases, there was contact between the two government departments concerned as well as contact between the two counties.
In addition to these specific examples of formal co-operation regular co-operation on an extra-statutory basis occurs in connection with the maintenance by Northern Ireland Councils of sections of certain of the Republic’s trunk roads which cross and recross the border at different points.
As regards co-operation under the 1955 Public Health and Miscellaneous Provisions Act both Londonderry Urban Council and Eermanagh County Council supply water to parts of County Donegal and it is likely that similar arrangments will be made for the supply of water by Fermanagh County Council to County Cavan.
An interesting example of cross-border co-operation is at Pettigo where Fermanagh County Council and Donegal County Council have entered into an agreement to promote a joint sewage disposal scheme to serve residents of the village on each side.of the border.
Finally, there again on an extra-statutory basis, County Council libraries on both sides of the Irish' border co-operate in the lending, borrowing and storage of books.
4.7 ITALY - SWITZERLAND
4.7.1 Relations between the Swiss cantonal authorities and the Italian préfectoral authorities in the border areas
In recent years, there have been frequent contacts and meetings between the Swiss cantonal authorities (Canton of Grisons) and the Prefect of Sondrie to examine problems of common concern in the neighbouring areas of the two countries.
Naturally, no genuine transfrontier body has been set up, and therefore co-operation has been confined to assembling information on local problems of common concern and examining possible solutions. Thus the primary task of the above-mentioned authorities is to provide relevant information. Particular consideration has been given to problems relating to the access to certain valleys, road communications and frontier crossings, the installation of emergency warning devices for the Albigna dyke in Switzerland, and access by Swiss helicopters and aircraft to the Bernina area for the purpose of providing assistance in the event of mountaineering and other accidents.
4.7*2 Standing Conference of Italian and Swiss Chambers of Commerce
This Conference which was founded at Novara on 11 September 1965, consists, on the Swiss side, of the Chambers of Commerce of Chur, Lugano and Sion and, on the Italian side, of the Chambers of Commerce of Bolzano, Como, Novara, Sondrio, Varese, Vercelli and Aosta.
Its purpose is to study and promote solutions to economic problems of common concern to its members. It holds a plenary meeting every year, the last one, the eighth, being held in Como on 13 and 14 October 197
Consideration has been given to various problems relating to road communications, tunnels, frontier crossings, the Merano-Malles rail link, emergency and safety services in the Alps, etc.
4.8 ITALY - YUGOSLAVIA
'4.8.1 Italo-Slovene Joint Committee
A Joint Committee to study and solve problems of common concern was set up in December 1971 between the Regional Union of Chambers of Commerce of Priuli-Venezia Giulia and the Chamber of Economics of Ljubljana.
The main objective of this Committee is to make the Chambers concerned more effective and promote continuous co-operation between firms in the two regions so as to consolidate local economic ties.
Activities to date include information exchanges, a study of particular problems and the formulation of proposals for developing technical, industrial and commercial co-operation between local firms.
4.8.2 Other contacts at regional level
Since 1968 the Eriüli-Venezia Giulia region has established numerous contacts with Slovenia, Croatia and Carinthia for the purpose of examining problems of common concern in the fields of tourism and regional planning.
4.9 LUXEMBOURG (l)
Co-operation between municipalities in different countries must be viewed both from the public law and private law angles.
Co-operation between municipalities in Luxembourg and other countries on a public law basis can only be implemented under an agreement between the Luxembourg Government and the countries in question.
(l) Council of Europe, Memorandum on co-operation between municipalities in Luxembourg and other countries, presented by the Luxembourg Delegation to the Committee on Co-operation in Municipal and Regional Matters /CE/LOC (71) ll7- These agreements are concluded Toy the Grand Duke and do not come into effect until ratified by the Chamber of Deputies,
Two examples of ad hoc agreements involving municipal interests are the Treaty of 17 April 1961 between Rheinland-Pfalz and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg concerning the setting-up of a transfrontier national park and the arrangement between Rheinland-Pfalz and Luxembourg for the building of frontier bridges across the Sure and Our.
Municipal co-operation between different countries is possible under private law, though many difficulties have to be surmounted on each occasion.
Luxembourg local government legislation does not permit municipalities to participate on either a national or international basis in private or commercial companies. They may only co-operate through municipal associations, which are public bodies under municipal supervision from which foreign municipalities, physical.persons and corporate bodies under private law are excluded.
On the other hand, municipalities may conclude private law contracts at national or international level. This form of agreement exists mainly in matters involving water supply, e.g. the contract between the district of Prüm (Eifel) and the municipality of Rodershausen (Luxembourg) concerning the provision of drinking water from the mains of the Prüm district and the agreements between the district of Bitburg (Eifel) and the municipalities of Hosingen, Putscheid and Vianden (Luxembourg) on supplies of drinking-water and water for industrial purposes.
International co-operation at municipal level is of undoubted benefit to the municipalities concerned. It is to be hoped that the many obstacles impeding such co-operation may be removed as soon as possible through suitable amendments to national legislations which at present reflect an age where the unification of Europe was still very remote.
4.10 NORWAY - SWEDEN
4.10.1 The region comprising Göteborg and Bohus counties and 0stfold county '
The dominant problem as regards co-operation in this area is that of environmental protection. Water conservation in particular is a common problem in this region which is one of the best recreational areas in Scandinavia. A Treaty has been drawn up concerning co-operation in fighting pollution caused by discharge of oil. It may also be mentioned that Göteborg and Bohus counties and 0stfold county are discussing a joint refuse incineration station. Plans are being made for a large thermal power station at Hogdahl and discussions have been held concerning joint operation of this with 0stfold county. This project has however met a lot of opposition due to the environmental aspects. A Frontier Committee comprising representatives for Strömstad and Tanum, the County Administrative Board and the County Council and 0stfold county was instituted in 1970. This has also appointed a Working Group to deal with problems common to northern Bohus county and south-west Norway, e.g. in the fields of regional policy and communications. 4.10.2 The region comprising Akershus-Hedmark-Yämland-i^stfold
Co-operation across the national frontier has been exercised in this area for quite a long time in certain planning matters. A joint working group composed of county planners from both countries was formed in 1965 with the task of investigating the need for, and the chances of, common solutions to various community development problems.
A traffic economical investigation for the area was among the first tasks of this group. The work was based on an outline analysis of economic geographical conditions, traffic intensities and frontier crossings - data which can be utilised also for other decisions in addition to that regarding the choice between different road construction alternatives. The compilation and processing of data concerning the economy and public service is an important task. Particular attention is being devoted to the Arvika-Kongsvinger area with a view to developing a frontier region with these two towns as central places.
The aim is to enhance the general attractiveness of the frontier region by a joint effort and thereby to create favourable conditions for a well-developed service activity, industrialisation and a more ^ P diversified labour market. The Working Group also co-operates in the field of tourism, and a joint information centre for the Arvika- Kongsvinger region has been set up on the frontier.
A joint Delegation, the ARKO Delegation, was formed in 1968 with two local authority representatives and three industrial representatives from each country. The task of the Delegation is to draw up an inventory of industries on both sides of the frontier, lay down recommendations for co-ordination of frontier activities in the local authority, industrial and cultural fields, and to investigate the market contacts of industrial and commercial companies. One of the objectives is to draw up co-operation agreements within the various sections of industry and commerce as soon as possible. A start was made in 1970 on the formation of joint working groups in special branches of industry; groups within the engineering and sawmilling industries have been set up so far.
4.10.3 The Kopparberg-Hedmark region
There has been continuous frontier co-operation at county level for about ten years in this area which is characterised by extensive ^ P thinly-populated areas on both sides of the frontier. Effort is concentrated on communications, environmental protection and tourism. Oo-operation also takes place with regard to investment in-service centres.
4.10.4 The Jämtland-Tröndelag region
Co-operation between these two counties has a long history. Representatives of the County Administrative Board, the County Council and the Norwegian county administration meet once a year to discuss common problems.
There is co-operation in the fields of regional policy, communications, medical care, tourism, etc. As far as transport is concerned, a through zone tariff is applied over the 'Östersund- Trondheim section in order to ensure that the port of Trondheim which is ice-free all the year round receives traffic from the whole of its natural hinterland. SAS ran an air route "between Ostersund and Trondheim in 1968 for a few months, but this had to be discontinued due to the small number of passengers.
Co-operation concerning the R/ros airport in Norway has also been discussed.
4.10.5 Specific developments since 1971
The Arctic regions
The Umbukta and Graddis roads will be ready in 1974-75 and the road administration is planning a road between Kiruna and Narvik. Oo-operation between local authorities in the three countries has been promoted. Common sport amenities, libraries, etc. are envisaged, and there is discussion about possible co-operation in veterinary control. MULTILATERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGREEMENTS AT LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL 5. MULTILATERAL GOMMISSIONS AMD AGREEMENTS AT LOCAL MED REGIONAL IEvEL
5.1 AUSTRIA - EEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - ITALY - SWITZERLAND
5.1.1 Land'of Bavaria - Region of Lombardy - Autonomous Province of Salzburg - Land of Tyrol - Autonomous " ' ' Province of Trento - Land of Vorarlberg
Meeting for the first time in October 1972, near Innsbruck, a constituent Conference of'the Heads of Regional Government of the above-mentioned territories established a Working Party of Alpine Regions whose programme' should include co-operation in trans-alpine transport and telecommunications, town and country planning, agriculture, environmental conservation and cultural affairs. Its working method would be to elaborate common recommendations for submission to the competent body of each national State.
A second meeting was held in April 1973 at Rottach (Bavaria) and a third will take place in September 1973 at Bolzano (Italy).
5.2 AUSTRIA, - FEDERAL. REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND
5.2.1 "Regio Bodanica” (Lake Constance area)
In 1972 the'Canton,of St. Gallen (Switzerland), the Land of Vorarlberg (Austria), th'e* Land of Baden-Witrttemberg and the Land of Bavaria (Federal Republic of Germany) launched inter-regional co-operation in.combat ing. pollution in the Lake Constance area. A mixed Commission, comprising representatives of the regional'governments and parliaments concerned, meets in principle once a year. Ad hoc meetings of working parties are held in the interim.
'5.3 AUSTRIA ITALY' - SWITZERLAND
,5.3.1 Conference of Alpine regions
In order to establish closer contacts in the economic and cultural fields,, the various . districts of the Alpine region (bounded by the towns' of Milan, Zurich, Munich'and Salzburg) took part in a Conference in Innsbruck on 2'.and . 3 June 1971 on the theme of the European role of the Alpine region.: ' A further meeting to be organised by the Lombardy district, will be held in 1973 to discuss from a European standpoint numerous cultural and economic, problems;arising in the Alpine region. It will be attended by representatives Of the various districts in the Alpine region, as well as experts and specialists, and, because of the thorough preparation needed, will:be preceded by a series of meetings of the rapporteurs and contacts'with research institutes, political and administrative authorities and European institutions.
" 5.4 . AUSTRIA' ITALY - YUGOSLAVIA 5.4.1 Co-operation between four provinces: Friuli (Italy), Slovenia and Croatia (Yugoslavia) and Carinthia/Kärnten .(Austria! (The '^Trigon1* )
(a) At the instigation of the Italian province of Friuli, a meeting was arranged, in October 1968 between government representatives from', the following neighbouring provinces: - Province of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy); - Socialist Republic of Slovenia (Yugoslavia); - Socialist Republic of Croatia (Yugoslavia); - land of Carinthia/Kärnten (Austria),
with a view to joint implementation of a number of activities designed to encourage the expansion of tourism.
As the promotion of tourism is closely related to regional planning and also has a considerable impact on transport, economy, etc., this initial venture was extended to other fields of common interest.
(b) Two Standing Committees were subsequently set up by the four frontier provinces:
- a Committee on Tourism;
- a Committee on Regional Planning.
The Committee on Regional Planning has outlined a framework for its activities, covering the following questions:
- co-ordination of inter-regional, physical planning and plans for urban centres within the systems of infrastructure and facilities (transport, power and wafer);
- co-ordination of action.to protect nature reserves, archaeological and cultural monuments, sites, agricultural areas, forestry and water;
- co-ordination of regional planning and plans for new tourist areas and centres ;
- co-ordination of projects aimed at the development of urban and other centres.
As part of this work programme, the Committee decided to draw up a map of the four provinces (scale: 1:200,000), including geographical elements providing the basic information necessary for co-operation and integration of these frontier regions into European context.
A number of legal and methodological problems arose during the preliminary work on this joint map, and new guidelines had to be drawn up:
- the need for exchanges of information on legislation, administrative matters relating to regional and local planning, organisation and working methods of town planning offices, administrative and technical methods for preparing work plans and instruments, standardised and applied norms, etc;
- exchange of maps and statistics relevant to regional planning;
- need for comparison between regional planning strategies in the four provinces;
- ways of informing groups affected by these matters and problems arising out of the preparation of the composite map. The first 'stage of the map, comprising more than forty geographical elements showing projects completed or envisaged, was finished in * spring 1971.
It was then decided to pursue.this work and to supplement it by providing, in addition to details of the current situation, planning dates for:
- projects adopted (information on building projects for which finance is already guaranteed);
- projects envisaged (forecast);
and to:
- analyse problems arising out of this basic map and complete the a c c ompanying t ext ;
- publish the map and make it available to provincial government officials, municipalities and other bodies active in these regions ;
- prepare other maps on a number of specific problems, e.g. transport, protection of the environment, of the sea and of nature, on the basis of the original composite map.
5.5 FRANCE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - SWITZERLAND
5.5.1 The Middle Alsace - Breisgau region - CIIÆAB ( 1 )
The mayors of the municipalities bordering the Rhine on either side have met regularly since 1955. The aim of these meetings was to achieve Franco-German reconciliation in a spirit of European unity. It was decided in 19.62 that an association should he founded to further this campaign and accordingly the "Communauté di intérêts Moyenne - Alsace - Breisgau" (CIMAB) was created at Marckolsheim in 1962 with the aim of promoting transfrontier co-operation in the economic, cultural, social and tourist fields.
The legal form assumed by CIMAB is that of a registered association under the German Civil Code. This procedure was possible because the provisions of the Civil Code of 1871-1918 still apply in Alsace. The association's statutes were approved by the French Government in June 1965, and it was entered in the Colmar Register of Associations in October 1965. CIMAB has at present forty-eight members, twenty-one of them German and twenty-seven French; they are municipalities, economic organisations such as chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture, and' associations of other, kinds.
(l) Council of Europe, European co-operation in frontier regions, Jean-Marie Quintin, Background paper of the 2nd European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning, Strasbourg 1975, zTCEMAT (73) BP 9J CIMAB is directed by a Governing Body and has two working parties, themselves divided into special sub-committees. These bodies meet several times each year, while a plenary session of the General Assembly is held at least once a year. Among the problems examined have been the following:
- regional planning, harmonisation of transfrontier regional and local plans, and establishment of planning priorities;
- conservation of the environment; water and air pollution and landscape protection;
- improvement of economic potential; establishment of industrial concerns, agricultural organisation, national and regional economic and energy policy measures;
- development of rail and road infrastructures;
- promotion of tourism and cultural facilities.
Among the,.'targets which CIIvIAB considers it has achieved, are:
- co-ordination in matters of regional planning, which is accepted, by the governmental authorities;
'- planning of certain road infrastructure projects;
- the -re-grouping of municipalities around Breisach-am-Rhein and Neuf-Brisach with a view to the creation of an international development zone ;
- the solution of a variety of frontier problems.
Although it is resolved to pursue its own programme of action, the association insists on,the need for.more sustained intervention on the part of the respective governmental.bodies and for closer co-operation with the northern.regions (Strasbourg) and the southern regions (Basle) in .order to establish a co-ordinated system of transfrontier regional planning following an intëgrated approach.
5.5.2 Tripartite Commission of the "Regio”
At a meeting held at Paris .in February 1973, representatives of the French, Federal German, and Swiss Governments and of the land of Baden-Württemberg and half cantons of'Basle-Urban and Basle-Rural decided to form a tripartite Commission of the "Regio" to co-operate in concrete problems confronting the triangular frontier area sometimes referred to as the "Regio Basiliensis".
At the level of regional government, the Commission should submit to the competent central authorities recommendations for joint action in this transfrontier region. The role of consultation and mutual information was entrusted to a Service for International Co-ordination in the "Regio" (Service de coordination internationale de la Regio/ Internationale Koordinationsstelle der Regio) which is located at Basle. ■..
5.6 'COUNTRIES OF THE NORDIC COUNCIL1'
The Nordic Local Government Law Committee, established on a recommendation of the Nordic Council, is expected to publish its findings within the next months. AW EXAMPLE OP AE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION IW ACTION
NORD/P AS-DE-CALAIS - WEST-PLANDERS/HAINATJT 6. AN EXAMPLE OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION IN ACTION 6.1 NORL/PAS-DE-CALAIS - WEST-FLANDERS/HAINAUT (l)
6.1.1 Introduction
The term "regional planning" can cover a number of widely differing concepts.
If the work of the Ministry responsible for regional planning in France is taken as an illustration, the term can be said to signify the co-ordination of decentralised public investment, in so far as this provides an incentive for private investment which the French National Plan seeks to channel in accordance with the best interests of the population.
Thus the place of regional, planning is at the crossroads of all activities, in any sphere, that promote economic and social development and have to be co-ordinated with regard both to geographical distribution and ground-space requirements.
Regional planning can, however, also be considered solely from the point of view of physical planning (which is mainly concerned with decisions regarding the utilisation of land in the town-and-country- planning sense). It is clear, even here, that planning of this kind cannot be carried out with proper regard for the economic and social needs of the regions unless the planners know what policies are being practised in every development sector and can thus harmonise their ground-space implications so that they can be put into effect. With their knowledge of thé occasionally concurrent land requirements of each activity, the planners must also be able to inform their colleagues in other sectors of any changes that may have to be made.
In view of the foregoing remarks, the Working Party's assignment must be seen as being restricted to town and country planning (in the narrow sense) and not to regional planning (in the wider sense). For the time being at least, the problems relating to the other areas of co-operation will- be left out.
Nevertheless, we repeat that if the "town.and country planning" Working Party is to fulfil its assignment, even in the limited sense of vigorous physical planning, it must have full knowledge of the policies and decisions of the other working parties.
The Working Party therefore dealt only with the problems of urban areas and the protection of those agricultural and forest areas, etc. which will be used to implement a public recreation policy.
Some of the regional aspects of the sectors of co-operation were, however, considered during our study of the above-mentioned problems.
(l) Report .presented by M. J. Brunot de Rouvre, Director of the Permanent Study Group of the Regional Organisation for Regional Planning Studies in the Northern Metropolitan Area and M. F. Lemoine, Inspector-General of the General Regional Planning Policy Department - Ministry of Public Works - Belgium. 6.1.2 Demarcation of the co-operation sectors
The harmonisation of local planning policies in frontier regions will affect a series of homogeneous urban and rural areas which straddle the Pranco-Belgian border.
In the urban areas (as defined by the master plan of OREAM Nord), common planning problems arise:
- in the coastal area from Dunkerque to Veurne and Nieuwpoort;
- in the central urban area around the Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing metropolis; two aspects have to be considered here:
- the enlarged metropolita built-up area between Mouscron and Roubaix-Tourcoing or along the Lys valley;
. - the relationships between towns in the neighbourhood of the urban area with regard to the functions assumed by Tournai and Courtrài (Kortrijk), compared with the other towns of the central urban area (Armentières, Béthune, Douai, etc.);
- in the Scheldt valley (Cambrai-Valenciennes) which joins, the Haine valley in Belgium, where a series of built-up areas between Valenciennes and Mons are amenable to linear planning (mining basin);
- in the Sambre basin, which extends from beyond Jeumont towards Charleroi, and also has close ties with Mons.
Between or beside these large urban areas, there are a number of homogeneous and predominantly rural transfrontier areas where problems arise in connection with tourist development, nature conservation or simply rural planning:
- the coastal strip between Malo-les-Bains and Nieuwpoort; the problem here, particularly in the areas of Bray Dunes and De Panne, is to protect the seaboard sand-hills by turning them into nature reserves and adding them to the sites already classified and protected in Belgium. With the growth of tourism, urban development will have to be strictly controlled;
- the "Moeres" area from Bergues to Veurne: - this is an original landscape which must also be protected and where there are common problems of drainage and water disposal;
- Planders (inland): this is a predominantly agricultural area containing some wooded hills known as the "Hills of Planders" around which weekend houses and recreation.faciliti.es are springing up; one of the objectives of planning must be to protect the landscape, and this would require a joint study;
- an unspoilt rural area south-west of Tournai: this is the Belgian counterpart of the Marque valley and the Pévèle, noted for its landscape; landscape plans should be drawn up in conjunction with rural development plans ; - the woods and parks at the junction ox the Valenciennes district and the Tournai and Ath sectors: this area comprises the Saint-Amand regional nature park which it. is planned to extend to the border, and, in Belgium, the succession of woods and tourist centres from the Bleharies forest to Beloeil; it is hoped that this whole area will, be transformed, by combined planning measures, into a Franco-Belgian regional.nature park;
- the high ground south.of the Mons-Borinage urban area: this recreation area is an extension of the area of touristic interest centred on Bavay; the questions to be studied here are the protection of archaeological sites and natural features, and the provision of recreational facilities;
- the "Botte du Hainaut": this area, together with the Avesnois, south of the Sambre, is a touristic site .consisting■mainly of forests, whose development should be planned as an organic whole, covering both the provision of facilities and the conservation of natural features, with the object of forming a Franco-Belgian regional park in the future.
6.1.3 Sector-by-sector survey of common problems and questions for study
6.1.3.1 The coast ■ •
Description
West of De Panne, there is a nature reserve extending right up to the French border. It goes by the name of Westhoek sand-hills. It contains the most varied range of sand-hills of the 'whole Belgian coast. They cover a width of about two kilometres and.contain marshy stretches with some very special fauna and flora. The site was classified by the Belgian Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites. In 1956, it became the property of the State. It is of great interest from the point of view of geology, geography, botany.and landscapes.
The area of urban development is immediately adjacent to the reserve owing to the extension of the De Panne seaside resort. The municipality of De Panne has nevertheless made remarkable efforts to preserve the natural features, by adopting special development plans.
Suggestions _ ...
The sand-hills extend into French territory, and it is to be hoped that the French and the Belgian public authorities will adopt a joint policy both for nature conservation and for tourism and recreation, regulating the location of camping sites and industrial storage yards in particular.
6.1.3.2 Les Moeres
Description
Les Moeres is a predominantly agricultural landscape site extending along the border for a distance of seven kilometres. On the Belgian side there is a most remarkable area called the "G-rote Moeren" consisting of very low-lying "polders" which are particularly important geologically, geographically and historically. Suggestions
This area is specially protected under the Belgian Diksmuide-Torhout sector plan; it should he possible for a similar policy to be adopted on the french side also.
The problems of water disposal from the ’’polders” and ’’wateringues” are being dealt with by a special Franco-Belgian Water Commission.
6.1.3.5 The "Hills of Flanders"
Description
The "Hills of Flanders" are situated in a predominantly agricultural area with particularly interesting landscapes. They exert -an attraction through the sites they offer for weekend houses and recreational facilities.
Suggestions
The area is already protected by measures taken both in Belgium I and in France; here, too, the policies for nature conservation and recreational use should be..harmonised. .
6.1.3.4 The central urban area around the Lille- Roubaix-Tourcoihg metropolis
6.1,3.4.1 Harmonisation of detailed plans around the enlarged metropolitan area
The Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing built-up area does not stop at the border, and several sizeable Belgian municipalities such as Mouscron are included in it, according to the definition given by the "Institut National de Statistique et de l'Emploi" (INSEE).
On the French side, the' urban community of Lille which comprises eighty-seven municipalities and possesses one town planning agency looks after the development of this area.■
Along the border, the Belgian part of the metropolis surrounds thisi urban community and gives rise to a number of problems of local " harmonisation, especially along the Lys valley between Mouscron and Roubaix-Tourcoing. The Belgian side comes under several planning sectors: the Mouscron-Comines sector (SIDEHO), along the Lys from. Le Bizet to-domines; the' Ypres sector, from Wervik to Menin; the Gourtrai sector (LEIEDAL), at Lauwe and Rekkem; the Mouscron-Comines sector (SIDEHO), at Mouscron and Herseaux and the Tournai sector (SIDEHO), from Estaimpuis and Leers-Nord.
Suggestions
In this area the detailed plans must be co-ordinated (sector plans in France and municipal plans in Belgium). For this puirpose, direct contacts between the town planning agency of the metropolis and the associations comprising the municipalities adjacent, to the urban community (SIDEHO, LEIEDAL, WITAB) should be encouraged. Special attention should he given to the location of industrial sites, especially along the Lys and the Espierre canal. The inconvenience caused by industries located here affect French and Belgian municipalities alike. It may be possible, in these, sites, to provide equipment jointly for certain industrial boi^der areas (Wattrelos-Leers, Halluin-Menin, for example).
Similarly, it should be possible to arrange for certain recreational areas to be developed jointly. For example, the banks of the Lys could be provided with artificial.lakes for water sports.
In a more general way, it seems essential, if continuous urban and- industrial development is to -be avoided along this river, to co-ordinate land utilisation policies on the French and Belgian sides of the Lys.
6.1.3.4.2 Relations between Belgian and French towns within the central urban area
The central urban area around the Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing metropolis encompasses a series of French towns as far distant as Béthune, Arras and Douai. It is clear that Belgian towns such as Tournai and Courtrai, which are nearer, will play a similar part in this urban area.
Suggestions
It would be useful to make a complete survey of the urban amenities of this area, showing the part to be played by medium-sized Belgian towns such as Menin and Courtrai in Flanders, and fflouscron and Tournai in Hainaut.
Broadly speaking, the towns of Tournai and Courtrai (that is to say the intermunicipal associations SIDEHO and LEIEDAL) should be invited to participate in all important surveys concerning the organisation of the central urban area.
Public transport
The size of the central urban area is equivalent to that covered by the suburban railway services of large tòwns (distances less than 40 km). The organisation of public transport is inevitably complex in such an area and implies proper co-ordination between:
- a primary network consisting of rail services, which should be run as regional express metropolitan services;
- the tram service (Mongy) covering the Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing urban district, which should be extended to penetrate the urban centres in the form of a semi-metropolitan service;
- the urban and town-to-town 'bus networks operating local services, and also services providing connections between the two above networks.
Joint action on the part of France and Belgium is indispensable for the. design and organisation of a primary network around the town of Lille, extending north towards Courtrai, east towards Tournai and south towards Arras. Por this purpose, studies similar to those in preparation in Prance should be carried out in Belgium. Better and more frequent services on the networks mentioned could then be expected. Franco- Belgian co-operation should also concentrate on connections between the different types of transport, loading and unloading facilities, co-ordination of timetables, introduction of a uniform-type travel ticket, etc.
Sanitation and the use of waterways
Joint projects for the construction of sanitation networks and sewage treatment plant, while they are the responsibility of a sectoral commission on water problems, obviously cannot be dissociated from the problems of town planning and development.
Because satisfactory purification cannot be achieved immediately' in all places at once, choices must be made and priorities fixed. Such choices must therefore be guided by decisions as to the utilisation of the waterways, and the maximum permissible degree of pollution.
Thus the design of the sanitation networks of the Lille urban community and of the whole central urban area depends largely on the purposes for which the Lys and the Scheldt are used as a result of the Belgian development studies.
The 'sanitation networks should be organised, and the limits of urban development set by a Franco-Belgian agreement on the utilisation of the waterways.
Lesquin: a Franco-Belgian airport
When the Ghent-Courtrai-Lille and the Moas-Tournai-Lille motorways are opened, access to Lesquin Airport from Belgium will be much easier, as well as access to Brussels Airport from Northern Prance. Lesquin Airport is, however, better placed than that of Brussels for all towns near the frontier. It also offers access to another network, namely that of the French internal airlines.
Being so near to the border, Lesquin Airport could easily be given international status of the kind enjoyed by Basle-Mulhouse and G-eneva- Gointrin, or at least facilities for passengers of Belgian nationality.
6.1.3.5 The Tournai region and the Pévèle
Description
In the spatial and economic structures of Western Europe, the region may be defined as part of the "interstitial tissue" which fills the gaps between the urban areas.
The natural beauty of this region lies in the rustic charm of its rolling landscapes of cultivated plains, which in many places is still unspoilt by uncontrolled building, and in its few wooded hills with their slightly more rugged outline.
In Belgium, the hilly regions of Florecq-Ellezel and Mont-Saint- Aubert, north of Tournai, and the wooded region of Beloeil-Strambruges contain some of the most picturesque sites, There are also the woods surrounding the Péronnes artificial lake (70 hectares) created by the Ministry of Public Works to supply the wide Nimy-Péronnes canal. In Belgium, the region's agriculture is well developed and has made considerable progress in recent decades. Traditional large-scale farming pi-e dominât es except in some of the more hilly areas where there is a high proportion of grassland. The holdings are appreciably smaller than those found in the wide cultivated plains of Northern France.
Suggestions
South-west of Tournai, there, is an unspoilt rural area which is acontinuation of the French area of natural beauty comprising La Marque and the Pévèle. In any joint protective measures due regard- .. must be had to the contribution made by the agricultural areas to the country's economy and to the recreational needs, of people living'in the nearby towns.
The aims of the joint policy must be:
- to prevent urban sprawl;
- to promote the consolidation of holdings;
- to harmonise village development with the rural landscape.
The regional nature park of Saint-Amand is the logical counterpart. - of the Péronnes-Maubray touristic area, the forest of Bonsecours and the marshlands of Harchies-Bernissart in Belgium. Tourist development ; plans for the Tonrnai-Leuze-Péruwelz sector should be made with the close co-operation of the equivalent French planning agencies, so that, the border can cease to be a barrier.
Co-ordination will also be indispensable from two points of view:
- recreation facilities;
- landscape protection and the control of urban development to' ensure such protection.
In the longer term, it will probably be advisable to extend the regional nature park of Saint-Amand into Belgium. The French inter municipal association has already been in contact with SIDEHO in Belgium.
6.1.3.6 The Franco-Belgian mining area
Description
Most of the problems involved in harmonising the regional planning and development policies of the Borinage and the French Department Nord are concerned with the improvement of infrastructures.
The economic and social problems facing the Borinage and the Centre are the exact replica of those which the French mining basin of the Nord has to solve.
Suggestions
The regional authorities of both countries are primarily concerned to promote ecoaomic and social development. Whether such a development can be conceived and brought about depends on the policy with regard to infrastructures, industrial zoning, employment, redevelopment of former mining and industrial sites, and urban renovation.
Any existing or future specialised commissions set up to deal with these sectoral problems can be fully constructive and effective only if the regional bodies represented on the Franco-Belgian regional commission are consulted on concrete problems and their advice acted upon.
An exceptionally urgent regional' problem is that of water. A Franco-Belgian commission has indeed been appointed to deal with this problem, but so far it does not appear to have consulted all the regional authorities concerned.
Another equally important problem is that of a rapid transport link between Mons and Maubeuge, an essential prerequisite for concerted action.
In addition to the problems of redeveloping the former mining ^ regions, this particular area, like the others, offers possibilities of ^ harmonisation over the matter of recreational facilities.
On the Belgian side, there is the Grand Large artificial lake at Mons at the junction of the Canal du Centre and the Nimy-Blaton Canal. This lake, created through the collaboration of various government departments, offers facilities for water sports to the Belgian and French populations living within'a radius of 30 kilometres. .
South of the built-up area comprising'Mons-Borinage and the'Centre, there are also wide stretches of countryside which make an attractive area for weekend relaxation.
The intermunicipal association IDEA has been commissioned by the Ministry of Public Works to study tourist development and recreation facilities within these planning sectors. The facilities to be installed in this area will be used not only by the Belgian population but also by the inhabitants of the urban areas-of Valenciennes and Maubeuge.
6.1.3.7 The Sambre Valley ' ^
Description
The area between Maubeuge and' Charleroi is partly industrialised and urbanised as far as Jeumont. There is then a gap between Erquelinnes and Charleroi. The Belgian regional authorities plan to fill this gap.
Suggestions , '
In addition to the Sambre Valley link, which should be improved, and the international■railway lines, there should be a road junction serving Maubeuge, Jeumont, Erquelinnes and - Boulevard Sud de Charleroi.
This junction would be additional to the road linking Maubeuge with Mons; both are indispensable to the vigorous development of the border area. 6.1.3.8 The Avesnois and. South Hainaut
Description
. South Hainaut in Belgium, and more particularly the région known as the "Botte du Hainaut" (cantons of Beaumont and Chimay),. is a rural, area mainly given over to forests and grasslands, where life is organised around a few typical towns and villages. However, these places are difficult to reach and offer few employment opportunities.
One key to the maintenance of vitality in the cantons and Beaumont and Chimay is the development of tourism.
The area between, the Sambre and the. Meuse (known as "Entre Sambre et Meuse") would be an extremely valuable location for. one or more large-scale tourist centres. It offers considerable advantages:
- picturesque villages and monuments;
- historical artistic and archaeological treasures;
- deciduous forests; .
,-varied landscapes of outstanding beauty;
- waterways, ponds, lakes and dams.
Suggestions
With the Eau-d’Heurè Dam, the Eppe-Sauvage Dam and the Lake of Virelles it should be possible to promote three types of tourism:
- circuit tourism consisting mainly of journeys by motor vehicle, - and .combining walks by the artificai lakes with visits to villages and other sites' in the area;
- short-stay tourism based on a tourist centre at Boussu-lez- Walcourt on the Belgian side of the border, with facilities for priding, ^olf and, especially, water sports (sailing and water-skiing);*
- residential tourism, for which a quiet area should be reserved for relaxation in natural surroundings, but within easy reach of the collective recreational facilities.
It is therefore essential that there should be co-ordination between the INTER-SUD Intermunicipal Association and the French study groups, where both facilities and nature conservations are concerned, for the whole organic unit, comprising the Avesnois and South Hainaut. It does not seem utopian to hope that a Franco-Belgian regional nature park covering this entire area will be created in the not-too-distant future.
6.1.4 Competent, agencies and bodies in each sector
Depending .on the field under examination, it is clear that there are problems, which can be settled at local level and others which must be referred to regional or national authorities; in the latter case, the competent departments are likely to be of various kinds according to the nature of the problem. But in all cases it will be useful if the local communities concerned, whether they have power of decision or whether they are simply consulted, establish contact on both side of the border and co-operate in examining the matters of common concern. Examples are given below of cases (e.g. that of road lay-outs) requiring central government departments with power of decision in a field in which a Franco-Belgian sectoral commission exists. Most other problems must also be brought before various central government departments on the French and Belgian sides alike: the list of competent departments has not been supplied, and the following list simply indicates those local authorities which would benefit by closer contact.
6.1.4.1 Coastal area
- Service road (coastal link road and international motorway - Calais-Veurne): two routes considered, north and south of Les Moeres.
Competent authorities:
at national level: Road Directorate (Eranco-Belgian Sectoral Commission for motorways);
at regional level: OREAM hord and WER;
at local level: Dunkirk urban community and municipalities of the Veurne and Diksmuide sectors.
- Possible rail link (Calais-Dunkirk-Veurne). As above.
- Urban development and tourist facilities from Dunkirk to Nieuwpoort.
Competent authorities:
Dunkirk (and its town planning agency) and municipalities of the Veurne sector.
- Protection of sand-hills and classified sites. As above.
- Landscape of les Moeres, drainage problem. As above.
6.1.4.2 Flanders (inland)
- Landscape plans and protected perimeter around the "Hills of Flanders".
Competent authorities:
Joint association to be set up in the framework of the rural development plan for Flanders Lys in France, and municipalities of the Ypres-Poperinge sector in Belgium.
6.1.4.3 Central urban area
6.1.4.3.1 "Belgian side of the metropolis"
- Harmonisation of Belgian municipal plans and French sector plans along the Lys valley and in the Roubaix-Tourcoing- Mouscron area.
Competent authorities:
In France, the .Lille Urban Community (and its town planning office). * In Belgium, the SIDEHO Intermunicipal Association-lor the municipalities of the Mouscron-Corine's sector and the WITAB for the municipalities•of the Ypres sector (from Wervik to Menin).
6.1.4.3.2 Organisation'of the central urban area
- Role of Tournai and Courtrai in the provision of urban facilities for the metropolitan area.
Competent authorities:
* regional level: OR.EAM Nord (and the ad hoc commissions for the central urban area);
* local level: Lille Urban Community and the SIDEHO Intermunicipal Association for Tournai and LEIEDAL for Courtrai.
- Organisation of public transport in the central urban area (suburban lines, regional metropolitan service). As above.
- Joint site-planning for the industrial areas linked by waterway. As above.
- Sanitation, problems of pollution and utilisation of waterways. As above.
(The last two questions are connected with the problems examined by the.Sectoral Commissions for navigable waterways and water, but must be subordinated to an overall development policy, from which they cannot be dissociated.)
6.1.4.4 The Pévèle
- Rural development plan and landscape protection.
Competent authorities:
* Association for the Rural Development Plan of the Pévèle (cantons of OrchiesCysoing and Pont-à-Marcq) and the SIDEHO Intermunicipal Association.
6.1.4.5 Wooded.belt comprising the Saint-Amand park, Peronnes and Beloe.il
- Proposed Franco-Belgian Hainaut nature park.
Competent authorities:
* Association for the Saint-Amand regional nature park and the SIDEHO (Tournai and Ath sectors)', especially the municipalities centred on Péruwelz. 6.1.4.6 The Scheldt valley and the mining basin
- Problem of redevelopment of the mining area.
Competent authorities:
* at regional level: OREAM Nord and IDEA; * at local level: Joint association for the district of Valenciennes and the IDEA Intermunicipal Association for the Mons-Boringe and Louvière-Soignies sectors.
- Organisation of public transport between Valenciennes and Mons (local service). As above.
6.1.4.7 Haut-Pays du Borinage and the Bavay region
- Rural development plans and protection of sites.
Competent authorities:
* Joint association to be set up around Douai, and the IDEA Intermunicipal Association.
6.1.4.8 Sambre valley
- Urban development and communication from Maubeuge to Mons and Charleroi (link between Lille-Maubeuge-Charleroi and Brussels- Mons-Maubeuge-Reims). ^
Competent authorities:
* at regional level: OREAM Nord and the Intermunicipal Associations responsible for the sectors Mons-Borinage, Thuin-Chimay and Charleroi ;
*. at local level: Intermunicipal Association for the.Development of the Sambre Basin, and IDEA, INTER-SUD and ADEC Intermunicipal Associations.
6.1.4.9 The Avesnois and the "Botte du Hainaut"
- Tourist facilities; proposed Eranco-Belgian park.
Competent authorities:
* Joint study association to be set up in the Avesnois, and the INTER-SUD Intermunicipal Association for the Thuin-Chimay.
6.1.5 General suggestions ^
Regional planning operations, in as much as they constitute an attempt to introduce into an area a form of economic and social development that will be in harmony with it, touch upon all sectoral policies whose application has implications for land use. It is for. that reason that the harmonisation of regional planning policies in the provinces of West Elanders and Hainaut and in the Nord Pas-de-Calais region is the central purpose of the Eranco-Belgian Standing Regional Commission, whose very function is to examine every problem affecting the territory of the two provinces and two departments and to refer it to the Franco-Belgian Plenary Commission or to one of the sectoral commissions, as the case may be.
An essential obverse requirement for a policy of regional planning that is to be properly concerted at regional level is that the Franco- Belgian Regional Commission shall be kept informed of all the proceedings of the sectoral commissions and that the latter shall take into account the fact that the particular questions which they consider form part of the general problem of regional planning. For example, the problems of water and of motorways are of great importance to regional planning and cannot be dissociated from it. Since the authorities responsible in both countries for regional planning, on the one hand, and for the planning of economic development, on the other, are widely different in character and are rapidly developing, recourse must be had to everything that is being set up both in France and in Belgium in order to obtain a coherent view of these two aspects of regional action. The existence in the word Pas- de-Calais region of a Regional Organisation for Regional Planning Studies (OREARI hord) and the liaison established between that organisation and the Regional Economic Mission responsible for programming have made it possible to set up in the regional prefecture an integrated team having an overall view of the problem. There is no corresponding organisation at provincial level in Belgium, where there is decentralised planning at the level of the major regions (Walloniä, Flanders, Brabant), out the same purpose of combined regional planning with economic development is served by means of regional development associations -which have been.set up by the provincial councils and which are concerned with the preparation of regional plans covering- one or more provinces or even part of a province. It is highly desirable that, as soon as they are set up, these associations should enter into close contact with OREAM Nord and the economic mission for the Nord in France.
At a more specifically local level, town and country planning assumes the forms of "physical planning" and land management. The reference here is to urban studies conducted in France at the level of population centres -with more than 10,000 inhabitants (l) and to regional planning studies conducted in Belgium at the level of "sectors", covering the whole country. These studies result in documents which are subject to public enquiry and effective against third parties.
It is necessary to promote collaboration between the authorities and organisations responsible for such studies on both sides of the frontier.
At local authority level, such collaboration is facilitated where the documents relating to town planning are prepared in France by an urban community and in Belgium by an intermumicipal body (even if the spheres of these organisations do not coincide exactly, in France, v/ith the sphere of a master plan ("Schema directeur") or, in Belgium, with the sphere of a sectoral plan). But whereas in Belgium competent intermunicipal bodies generally exist for each sector of the frontier, in France there are no bodies dealing with master plans for urban population centres (SDAU) except in the case of the urban communities of Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing and Dunkirk.
In the other cases, the preparation of master plans for population centres requires recourse to a local joint commission acting in a consultative capacity. Furthermore, there are gs.ps in such plans which will have to be filled in due course by rural planning schemes (PAR); these may spread over on to the edges of the master plans.
It is proposed, therefore, to promote in Prence the setting up, in each town or country planning area, of bodies comparable to the Belgian intermunicipal organisations and capable of harmonising local planning schemes with the latter. These bodies might assume the form of joint study associations representing the municipalities and economic interests of each sector.
(l) For the time being these studies concern only population centres of more than 40,000 inhabitants. VII. MODELS OE LEGISLATION ■ 7. MODELS OF LEGISLATION ■ , ■ • • 1
7.1 BELGIUM - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
AGREEMENT (l)
between the Governments of thé Kingdom of Belgium and of the Federal Republic of .Germany; • ... .• 'on co-operation in regional planning matters
y • r '. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM ' ‘ ' r. ' ' and " , , . ' : THE'GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC O P 'GERMANY*j
Being aware-of the need .to co-operate in regional planning matters:, . have resolved to conclude an agreement for that purpose, as : follows : -
Article 1 - . ... ,
(1) A Belgo-German Regional Planning Commission shall.be .established, hereinafter referred to. as "the .Commission".; • . r,
(2) The function of ..the Commission shall be to promote co-operation in regional planning matters and, in particular, to endeavour to achieve ,* harmonisation of the relevant measures, especially in frontier regions.
Article 2
(1) The Commission shall be composed of twelve members of whom half, - shall be German and half Belgian Government representatives. . •
(2) The following shall be ex officio members of the Commission in respect of each State:
- for the Federal Republic ^
(a) The head of department responsible to the Federal Government for regional planning matters;
(b) The head of department responsible to the Government1 of the Land of North-Rhine-Westphalia for regional planning matters;
(c) The head of department' res'ponsible to'the Government of the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate for regional planning matters.
- for Belgium
(a) The Director General of the central regional planning authority;
(b) The Permanet Representative of the Government of the Province of Liège with responsibility for regional planning matters;
(c) The Director of the authority responsible for regional planning matters in the Province of Liège.
(l) Unofficial translation of the original text, which was drawn up in the French, German and Dutch languages. (3) The remaining members shall be appointed by the Minister, responsibl in each State for regional planning.
(4) The Commision may invite experts to attend its meetings.
Article 3
The Commission shall draw up its own rules of procedure.
Article 4
(1) Provision shall be made for the creation of a Belgo-German Natural Park in the North Eifel/Schneifel/Hautes-Fagnes - Eifel frontier region.
(2) For this purpose, an agreement shall be concluded between the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Governments of the German Länder of North-Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Article 5
This Agreement is concluded for a period of ten years.- It shall be extended by tacit agreement for further periods of five years failing denunciation by either of the Contracting Parties one year before expiry of the initial period of ten years or of any subsequent period of five years.
Article 6
This Agreement shall also apply to the Land of Berlin unless a declaration to the contrary is made to the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany within the three months following its entry into force.
Article 7
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its 'signature.
DONE at Gemünd (Eifel), this 3rd day of February 1971, in duplicate, in French, Dutch and German, each of the three texts being equally authenti
For the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium: The Minister of Public Works
(signed) J. de SAEGER
For the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany: The Federal Minister of the Interior
(signed) Hans-Dietrich GENSCHER 7.2 THE LAND OE NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN - THE LAND OF RHEINLAND-PFALZ - BELGIUM i ■
AGREEMENT (l)
Between the Government of the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen, the Government of the Land of Rheinland-Pfalz and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium on co-operation in.the establishment and development of a natural park in the regions of Nordeifel/Schneifel/Hautes-Fagnes - Eifel
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE LAND OF NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE LAND OF'RHEINLAND-PFALZ and THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, desirous of Bringing about harmonious development in the frontier area of the natural park of Nordeifel/Schneifel/Hautes-Fagnes - Eifel and, at the same time, of preserving the natural beauty of the landscape, have resolved to conclude the agreement provided for in Article 4 of the Agreement between the Government of the’ Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium on.co-operation in regional planning matters' and have agreed as follows:
Article 1
1. The Contracting Parties agree, to promote the harmonious development of the areas specified in paragraph 2'.
2. The territory covered by this Agreement comprises:
- on the German side:
the area lying to the East of the Belgo-German frontier between Heckhuscheid (Landkreis Bitburg-Prüm) in the South and Walheim (Kreis Aachen) in the North, embracing:
the North-West Eifel with the Kermeter Plateau, the wooded areas of the Hohes Venn, the district of Monschau and the valleys (including dams) linking the upper Ruhr and Urft with the Schleiden valley and the sources of the Ahr and the Kyle - Nordeifel Natural Park; the area of the Schneifel, embracing Stadtkyll, the Dyppacher Rücken with the Wirft valley and the "Schönecker Schweiz", approximately as far as the line Schönecken - Pronsfeld - Heckhuscheid (Landkreis Bitburg-Prüm);
- on the Belgian side: the area bounded by the perimeter of the Hautes-Fagnes - Eifel planning sector, as defined by the Royal Order of 27 June 1963, embracing:
(l) Unofficial translation of the original text which was d r a m up in the French, German and Dutch languages. in the North, the Hautes-Fagnes State Nature Reserve and the Hertogenwald with the Eupen and Gileppe dams ;
in the South, the valley of the upper Our and its tributaries extending from the wooded plateau of Losheimergraben.
To this area are added the following parts of the planning sector of Malmedy-St. Vith:
in the North, the valley of the Warche from its head as far as the junction with the valley of the Tros Marets, including the Biitgenbach and Robertville dams;
in the South, the slope of the Ommer Wald towards the Amblève valley.
3. The exact boundaries of the areas specified in paragraph 2 are shown on a map appended to this Agreement, of which it is an integral part.
4. The Contracting Parties shall notify to the Commission to be set up under Article 3 those parts of the area which are subject to nature or landscape conservation measures, and those in which tourism is to be particularly promoted or where there is to be no such promotion.
5. Each of the Contracting Parties may, in accordance with its municipal law and after consulting the Advisory Commission, make minor alterations regarding the delimitation (paragraph 2), the conservation and the functional zoning (paragraph 4) of its parts of the area.
Article 2
1. The Contracting Parties undertake, in accordance with their respective laws and in the areas specified in Article 1, paragraph 2, to guarantee the following:
- conservation of the natural landscape, its values and special features; upkeep and management of that landscape;
- promotion of economic, cultural and social interests, while at the same time safeguarding the natural beauty of the landscape.
2. To this end, the Contracting Parties shall, acting through the Advisory Commission, harmonise the regional planning measures required.
Article 3
1. Por the purpose of implementing this Agreement, an.Advisory Commission shall be set up, composed of twelve members, six from the German and six from the Belgian side.
2. The Chairmanship of the Commission shall alternate every two years between German and Belgian Delegations. The Commission shall meet at least twice a year. It may invite experts to its meetings.
Article 4
This Agreement shall run for a period of ten years. It shall be renewed automatically for further periods of five years, unless denounced by either of the Contracting Parties one year before expiry of the initial period of ten years or of any subsequent period of five years. Article 5
This Agreement shall enter into force as from the date of its signature.
DONE at G-emünd (Eifel), this 3rd day of February 1971, in three copies, in German, French and Dutch, each text being equally authentic.
For the Government of the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen: The Prime Minister of the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen
Heinz KÜHN
For the Government of the Land of Rheinland-Pfalz: on behalf of The Prime Minister of the Land of Rheinland-Pfalz The Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Forestry
Otto MEYER
For the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium: The Minister of Public Works:
Joseph de SAEGER 7.3 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY - LUXEMBOURG TREATY (1)
between the Land of Rheinland-Pfalz and the - Grand Duchy of Luxembourg concerning the establishment of a common natural park
’ THE 'LAND OF RHEINLAND-PFALZ ; and THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG desirous of protecting, maintaining and making into a recreation area the region adjoining the rivers Sauer and Our, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
1. The territory lying on either side of the rivers Our and Sûre, as defined in paragraph 2, shall be called the "Germano-Luxembourg Natural Park” and shall be preserved and developed in accordance with the principles set forth in the following articles.
2. The territory of the Germano-Luxembourg Natural Park shall comprise
- on the-.German side:
the area lying to the East of the Germano-Luxembourg frontier from Wintersdorf in the South to the point of intersection of the German, Luxembourg and Belgian frontiers in the North, embracing the Western Eifel together with Daleiden and Neuerburg and the area lying to the West of Mettendorf, the Ferschweiler Plateau and the heights above the Sure with Echternacherbrück and Wintersdorf;
- on the Luxembourg side:
the area lying to the West of the Germano-Luxembourg frontier from Hinkel in the South to Lieler in the North, embracing the valleys of the Sure, the Our, the Black and the White Ernz, the Blees and the adjoining heights, the Mullerthal with Echternach, Berdorf and Beaufort, together with the Ardennes country around Vianden, Clervaux, Troisvierges and Weiswampach.
3. The exact boundaries of the natural park are shown on the map appended to this Treaty, of which it forms an integral part (2).
Article 2
1. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that such parts of their territory as are included in the natural park are preserved as protected areas and that their suitability as recreation zones for large parts of the population is developed.
(1) Unofficial translation of the original text, which was drawn up in the French and German languages.
(2) The map is. not appended to this document. 2. The measures introduced for this purpose shall take due account of the public’s aspiration to improved general living conditions.
Article 3
1. Areas of outstanding natural beauty and special character shall be preserved. The total wooded area shall not be reduced.
2. The network of footpaths shall provide access to the main parts of the park. The Governments of the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to facilitate the movement of pedestrians seeking recreation across the frontiers.
3. Parking facilities shall be provided within easy walking distance of thè central areas of the park.
Article 4
1. A Commission shall be set up to which each of the Contracting Parties shall appoint four members. •
2. The Governments' of the Contracting Parties shall transmit the plans for the development of the park to the Commission.
3. The Commission shall submit to the Governments of the Contracting Parties proposals for further development of the park and for harmonisation of the measures to be introduced on either side; to this end, it shall give due consideration to proposals emanating from private associations whose aim is to promote the Improvement of the Germano-Luxembourg Natural Park.
■4. " The Commission'shall meet twice a year. It may invite experts to its meetings. ■
Article 5
Each Contracting Party may, at the recommendation "of the Commission, . make slight alterations to the boundaries (Article l) of that part of the park which lies within its territory. '
• Article 6
This Treaty shall run' for a period of ten years. It shall be renewed for a further period of five years, unless denounced one year before its expiry.
Article 7
This Treaty shall be ratified. The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged as soon as possible at Echternacherbrück.
The Treàty shall enter into force as from the date of exchange of the instruments of ratification. DONE at Clervaux, this 17th day of April 1964, in two copies, in French and German, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Land of Rheinland-Pfalz: signed: ALTMEIER
For the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: signed: Paul ELVINGER GREGOIRE DECISION
of the Committee of Ministers of the Benelux Economic Union setting up a Special Commission for Regional Planning, defining .its terms of reference and specifying its composition
The Committee of Ministers of the Benelux Economic Union, ■
Having regard to Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty establishing the Union,
Has decided as follows:
ARTICLE 1
A Special Commission on regional planning is hereby set up.
ARTICLE 2
1. The Special Commission shall be responsible for co-ordinating questions of policy relating to regional planning in the Benelux countries in the context of the mission devolving upon the Committee under Article 30 of the Treaty instituting the Union.
2. More specifically, its terms of reference shall be:
(a) to hold consultations on the major sectors of regional planning in the three countries, including the development of urban, rural and industrial zones; road, rail and water communications; the expansion of recreational areas, the protection of flora, fauna and natural sites; the problems of water and air;
(b) to give opinions on the action contemplated by the three countries to ensure a harmonious spatial development of areas having common frontiers with partner countries and on plans drawn up in this connection;
(c) to stimulate the mutual co-ordination of regional and structural plans for the development of frontier areas;
(d) to undertake and co-ordinate regional development studies;
(e) to ensure that as far as possible the same basic data are employed in making studies and in charting and mapping the projects ;
(f) to co-ordinate the positions of the three countries on the above points at discussions in other international bodies (multilateral) or with third countries (bilateral). ARTICLE 3
1. Each government shall appoint a Delegation composed of a leader of the Delegation and not more than seven members.
2. Each delegate may he represented by a substitute.
3. Each Delegation may be assisted by experts. Experts who are not civil servants may attend meetings of the Special Commission only with the agreement of that Commission; they shall be bound by secrecy on the points indicated by the Commission.
ARTICLE 4
The Special Commission shall report annually to the Committee of Ministers through the Council of the Economic Union.
ARTICLE 5 i The present Decision shall enter into force on the day of signature.
Done' at Brussels on 3 July 1969.
» Austria Belgium Cyprus Denmark Finland France Fed. Rep. of Germany Iceland Ireland Italy Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway O Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom Yugoslavia
Council of Europ I 11.868 CEMAT (73) BP I I