Melk Protocol
The Melk Protocol is the protocol of negotiations between the Czech and Austrian Governments, led by Prime Minister Miloš Zeman and Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, with the participation of Commissioner Günter Verheugen, and signed on 12 December 2000 in Melk, Lower Austria.[1]
The aim of the protocol was to resolve the disputes over the Czech Temelín Nuclear Power Station plant Temelín, whose construction Austria fundamentally opposed.[2] The Czech Republic committed itself to some above-standard procedures (e.g., notification of events at Temelín Nuclear Power Station, a more stringent Environmental impact assessment). Consequently, Austria recognised the importance of EU enlargement and agreed that the free movement of goods and people must be preserved (this clause was a response to the blockade of Czech-Austrian border crossings by Anti-nuclear movement).[3] The protocol is not legally binding.[4]
References
- ↑ "P-1775/2006". European Parliament. 2006-05-19. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
The Melk Protocol is a bilateral agreement which was signed on 12 December 2000 by the Czech Prime Minister and the Austrian Chancellor. The Commission was present, offering its good offices to mediate between both parties. The Melk Process was followed up by a meeting of the Czech Prime Minister, the Austrian Chancellor and the Commission on 29 November 2001, where 'conclusions of Melk Process and follow-up' were signed by both parties (so-called Brussels Protocol).
- ↑ "P-1775/2006". European Parliament. 2006-05-19. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
The role of the Commission in the mediation process leading up to the Protocol was not to evaluate the technical safety of the Temelin power plant, but rather one of a political nature, to facilitate the dialogue and exchange of information between Austria and the Czech Republic, in order to both identify the main issues of concern and to find solutions to the problems which were identified. Procedures were agreed bilaterally in order to follow up the implementation of improvements which might take more time to be completed. The subsequent monitoring of the Melk provisions, extended to the public, is considered as a model of bilateral transparency.
- ↑ Faltýnek, Vilém (2001-11-30). "ČR a Rakousko uzavřely proces z Melku". Radio Prague International. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
Verheugen oznámil, že Evropská komise hned v pátek předloží členským státům návrh společné pozice vůči ČR v kapitole energetika s doporučením ji uzavřít. Rakouská strana se zavázala, že tomu nebude bránit.
- ↑ Faltýnek, Vilém (2001-11-30). "ČR a Rakousko uzavřely proces z Melku". Radio Prague International. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
Příslušná pasáž závěrečného prohlášení říká, že "Rakousko a Česká republika se shodují na společném cíli zařadit bilaterální povinnosti obsažené v tomto dokumentu do protokolu k přístupové dohodě". Jde v podstatě pouze o dohodu o budoucím záměru.
External links
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