REGIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REGULATION OF WATER PROTECTION AND USE - THE CASE OF SERBIA

摘要

The existing state of international legal regulation for the protection and use of waters, in the case of Serbia, raises various questions relevant to regional security. Firstly, analysis of the existing state of legal regulation shows that cooperation between Serbia and some neighbouring States is not adequately regulated. For instance, some bilateral agreements were concluded in the past on a basis which is not compatible with contemporary water management norms and standards. One important setback is the fact that Serbia lags behind other countries in the region when ratification of multilateral agreements is concerned. It should also be stressed that its existing water law, as well as institutional framework, do not, in some cases, meet standards of contemporary water management and that they need further improvement and harmonization with EU law. Overall potential implications of this state of affairs on regional security could be viewed from different points. General aspects of regional security stem from the actual relations between countries of the region, and in the case of Serbia, especially with its neighbours. Specific aspects stem from relations concerning water management in the region, depending on the needs of the production sector and of the population. The authors analyze relevant provisions of existing bilateral and multilateral treaties in the field of water management important for Serbia and for the region, as well as Serbian legal regulations. Special attention is paid to the present state in the field of legal regulation, as well as to the prospects of further improvement.