Environment
Article 103
1. The Parties shall develop and strengthen their cooperation in the vital task of combating environmental degradation, with the view to promoting environmental sustainability. 2. Cooperation could centre on the following priorities: — water quality, including waste water treatment particularly of transboundary watercourses; — combating local, regional and transboundary air and water (including drinking water) pollution; — effective monitoring of pollution levels and emissions; — development of strategies with regard to global and climate issues; — efficient, sustainable and clean production and use of energy; — classification and safe handling of chemicals; — safety of industrial plants; — waste reduction, recycling and safe disposal, and the implementation of the Basle Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal (Basle, 1989); — the environmental impact of agriculture; soil erosion and pollution by agricultural chemicals; — the protection of the flora and fauna, including forests, and the conservation of biodiversity; — town and country planning, including construction and urban planning; — the use of economic and fiscal instruments to improve the environment; — the execution of environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment; — continuous approximation of laws and regulations to Community standards; — international Conventions in the area of environment to which the Community is a Party; — cooperation at regional and international level; — education and information on environmental issues and sustainable development. 3. In the field of protection against natural disasters, the Parties will cooperate to ensure the protection of people, animals, property and environment against man-made disasters. To this end the cooperation could include the following areas: — the exchange of the outcome of scientific and research development projects; — mutual and early notification and warning systems on hazards, disasters and their consequences; — rescue and relief exercises and assistance systems in case of disasters; — exchange of experience in rehabilitation and reconstruction after disaster.