Aanhef

The Contracting Parties,

Conscious of the need to facilitate and develop international transport by inland waterways in Europe,

Aware of the expected increase in the international transport of goods as a result of growing international trade,

Emphasizing the important role of inland water transport, which in comparison with other modes of inland transport has economic and ecological advantages and offers spare infrastructure and vessel capacity and is therefore capable of lowering social costs and negative impacts on the environment by inland transport as a whole,

Convinced that, in order to make international inland water transport in Europe including the transport by sea-river vessels using coastal routes, more efficient and attractive to customers, it is essential to establish a legal framework which lays down a coordinated plan for the development and construction of a network of inland waterways of international importance, based on agreed infrastructure and operational parameters,

Have agreed as follows: