HAVE AGREED as follows:

1. To adopt, within the framework of the Barcelona Convention and in conformity with Article 17 of the Prevention and Emergency Protocol, a SUB-REGIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR PREVENTION OF, PREPAREDNESS FOR AND RESPONSE TO MAJOR MARINE POLLUTION INCIDENTS IN THE ADRIATIC SEA (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan", a copy of which is attached to this Agreement) affecting or likely to affect their respective territorial sea, coast and related interests;

2. To use their best endeavours to render assistance to any Signatory of this Agreement which might request assistance in case of emergency, bearing in mind that nothing in the Plan precludes the right of a Signatory, whose territorial sea, coasts or related interests are likely to be affected, to request assistance from other States or Organizations;

3. To designate the following authorities as their respective national authorities responsible for the implementation of the Plan, its amendment and revision, as well as for ensuring compatibility of the Plan with their respective National Contingency Plans:

for the Republic of Croatia:
Prevention: Headquarters for the Contingency Plan for Accidental Marine Pollution in the Republic of Croatia
Implementation
Preparedness and response: Headquarters for the Contingency Plan for Accidental Marine Pollution in the Republic of Croatia Implementation

for the Republic of Italy:
Prevention: Ministry of the Environment and Territory, Directorate General for Nature Protection
Preparedness and response: Ministry of the Environment and Territory, Directorate General for Nature Protection

for the Republic of Slovenia:
Prevention: Ministry of Transport, Maritime Office
Preparedness and response: Ministry of Defense, Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief

4. Other Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Prevention and Emergency Protocol, in the Adriatic sub-region, may join this Agreement subject to the consent of the Signatories of the Agreement;

5. This Agreement can be amended upon demand made by any Signatory with the consent of all Signatories. Amendments to this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall enter into force 30 days after REMPEC has been notified by all three Signatories of their approval or ratification of the amendments, made in accordance with their national legislation.

6. The respective national authorities shall be responsible for technical modifications and updating of the Plan in accordance with their national legislation.

7. The Agreement and the Plan shall enter into force thirty days after REMPEC has been notified by all three Signatories of their approval or ratification of this Agreement, made in accordance with their national legislations.