1st Offshore Protocol Working Group Meeting – Jun 13, 2013
The 1st Offshore Protocol Working Group Meeting was convened in Valletta, Malta between 13th and 14th June 2013, pursuant to the Decision IG.20/12 of the 17th Ordinary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (Paris, France, 8 -10 February 2012).
The meeting attended by a total of 44 participants including representatives from 14 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona, beneficiated from the experience of well-known regulators and experts from various governments, international organizations and operators.
The open dialogues and very active participation of all attendees enabled a wide review of the obligations under the Offshore Protocol and the drawing of a set of recommendations including the need for the harmonization of Mediterranean approach with internationally and European recognized best practices, the creation of synergies with other related Programmes and Contracting Parties’ Decisions, the involvement of the oil and gas industry and NGOs in future activities, the need for detailed legal and technical information from Mediterranean countries as well as the establishment of a regular regional forum.
To continue the regional efforts toward the implementation of the Offshore Protocol in the Mediterranean, the 2nd Meeting Offshore Protocol Working Group Meeting will be held in Athens, Greece between 11 and 12 December 2013.