Article 2 General principles

The Parties shall co-operate to the fullest extent possible to suppress illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by sea, in conformity with the international law of the sea.

In the implementation of this Agreement the Parties shall endeavour to ensure that their actions maximise the effectiveness of law enforcement measures against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by sea.

Any action taken in pursuance of this Agreement shall take due account of the need not to interfere with or affect the rights and obligations of and the exercise of jurisdiction by coastal States, in accordance with the international law of the sea.

Nothing in this Agreement shall be so construed as to infringe the principle of non bis in idem, as applied in national law.

The Parties recognise the value of gathering and exchanging information concerning vessels, cargo and facts, whenever they consider that such exchange of information could assist a Party in the suppression of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by sea.

Nothing in this Agreement affects the immunities of warships and other government vessels operated for non-commercial purposes.