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PA-X Peace Agreements Database Peace Agreements Database

Declaration of principles for co-operation among the core parties on water-related matters and new and additional water resources

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Country/entity
Israel
Jordan
(Palestine)
Region
Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name
Declaration of principles for co-operation among the core parties on water-related matters and new and additional water resources
Date
13/02/1996
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
No
Agreement/conflict level
Interstate/intrastate conflict(s) (Arab-Israeli Conflicts (1948 - )
This conflict involves Israelis and Palestinians over territory and belonging and has long historical antecedents. The agreements post-1990 are between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Israel, with some supporting inter-state agreements (i.e. between Israel and Jordan). More recently the importance of the once dominating Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) has diminished not in the least due to the effective disappearance of its left-wing members and the loss of the popularity of their political wing, Fatah. Hamas and other Islamic groups have attained significant relevance in Fatah’s stead, with Hamas controlling the Gaza strip (from which Israel ultimately unilaterally withdrew (not coded as a peace agreement).

Geo-political implications of the conflict have been considerable across the MENA region.
Arab-Israeli Conflicts (1948 - ) )
Stage
Framework/substantive - partial (Core issue)
Conflict nature
Territory
Peace process
63: Israel-Palestine peace process
Parties
Israel, Jordan, PLO
Third parties
Government of Norway facilitated talks
Description
Detailed agreement on water matters - parties agree to cooperate in securing new and additional water sources.
Agreement document
IL_JO Joint Statement on Water.pdf []

Groups

Children/youth
No specific mention.
Disabled persons
No specific mention.
Elderly/age
No specific mention.
Migrant workers
No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group
No specific mention.
Religious groups
No specific mention.
Indigenous people
No specific mention.
Other groups
No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons
No specific mention.
Social class
No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender
No specific mention.
Men and boys
No specific mention.
LGBTI
No specific mention.
Family
No specific mention.

State definition

State definition
No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed)
No specific mention.
Constitution's affirmation/renewal
No specific mention.
Constitutional reform/making
No specific mention.
Elections
No specific mention.
Electoral commission
No specific mention.
Political parties reform
No specific mention.
Civil society
Page 2, 1.2. ... The Core Parties promote public participation in water resources management.

1.4 Cooperation on other water-related matters (legitimation)
Traditional/religious leaders
No specific mention.
Public administration
No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing
No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing
No specific mention.
Economic power sharing
No specific mention.
Military power sharing
No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL
No specific mention.
Equality
No specific mention.
Democracy
No specific mention.
Protection measures
Other
Page 3, 1.5. Water Quality and Protection
Water quality standards for various water uses have been adopted by each of the Core Parties; water preservation is an overriding concern, and enforcement powers exist in the hands of competent authorities to prevent water pollution, and to mitigate any negative environmental impacts on them at the expense of the polluters.

Page 5, 2.6. Environmental Management
6.1 All Projects will be based on environmentally-sound principles.
6.2 The Co-operating Parties give preference to those Projects which utilize advanced technological water usage methods.
6.3 Each Co-operating Party is responsible for the protection of the Project against environmental pollution originating within its jurisdiction.
Human rights framework
No specific mention.
Civil and political rights
No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights
No specific mention.
NHRI
No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions
No specific mention.
Mobility/access
No specific mention.
Detention procedures
No specific mention.
Media and communication
No specific mention.
Citizenship
No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law
No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions
No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts
No specific mention.
Prisons and detention
No specific mention.
Traditional Laws
No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction
Socio-economic development
Page 4, 2. 2. General Principles
2.1 The development of New and Additional Water Resources will not adversely affect the development or utilization of Existing Water Resources.

Page 4, 2.4. Ownership and Utilization
New and Additional Water Resources, developed in joint effort by the Core Parties for the benefit of some or all of them, will be considered as part of their own water resources only to the extent of the share allocated to them.
National economic plan
No specific mention.
Natural resources
[Summary] The whole agreement is focused on sharing of water resources. Clauses not dealing with water sharing are coded as appropriate elsewhere.

Page 6, 1. Co-operation in Specific Sectors
The Parties express their desire to co-operate among themselves and with other interested Parties on the following Other Water-related Matters.
... 1.3 sustainable water-related natural resources management and desertification control;
International funds
No specific mention.
Business
Page 5, 2.5. Technical, Economic and Financial Issues
5.4 The cost to each of the Co-operating Parties of water derived from New and Additional Resources will be based upon the cost of production, operation, maintenance and amortization.

Page 5, 2.5. Technical, Economic and Financial Issues
5.6 Co-operating Parties may, by mutual consent, trade the use of their respective shares of the waters from New and Additional Resources, provided that such trading does not cause harm to the shares allocated to any other Co-operating Parties.
Taxation
Reform of taxation
Page 3, 1.8. Water Charges
Water is not supplied free of charge in any of the Core Parties. Tariff structures, taking into account different extents of cost recovery, apply to domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors. These tariffs are periodically reviewed and adjusted.

Page 5, 2.5. Technical, Economic and Financial Issues
5.5 Water derived from the New and Additional Resources will not be subject to levies on account of conveyance, storage, treatment, or protection in excess of levies which the owner of the project would normally in
Banks
No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights
No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights
No specific mention.
Cultural heritage
No specific mention.
Environment
Page 2, The Core Parties view this Declaration as an expression of:
... • enhancing their water supply, and increasing the efficiency of its use.

Page 3, 1.4. Drought Measures
The Core Parties will take appropriate measures in periods of drought and water scarcity.

Page 3, 1.5. Water Quality and Protection
Water quality standards for various water uses have been adopted by each of the Core Parties; water preservation is an overriding concern, and enforcement powers exist in the hands of competent authorities to prevent water pollution, and to mitigate any negative environmental impacts on them at the expense of the polluters.

Page 5, 2.6. Environmental Management
6.1 All Projects will be based on environmentally-sound principles.
6.2 The Co-operating Parties give preference to those Projects which utilize advanced technological water usage methods.
6.3 Each Co-operating Party is responsible for the protection of the Project against environmental pollution originating within its jurisdiction.

Page 6, 1. Co-operation in Specific Sectors
The Parties express their desire to co-operate among themselves and with other interested Parties on the following Other Water-related Matters.
... 1.2 environmental conservation;
1.3 sustainable water-related natural resources management and desertification control;

Page 6, 2. Proposed Areas of Co-operation
The Core Parties will in due time explore possible co-operation among themselves and with other interested parties in the following areas:
... 2.2 preparation of plans for flood-protection and utilization; with emphasis on development of Early warning Systems
Water or riparian rights or access
[Summary] The whole agreement is focused on sharing of water resources. Clauses not dealing with water sharing are coded as appropriate elsewhere.

Security sector

Security Guarantees
No specific mention.
Ceasefire
No specific mention.
Police
No specific mention.
Armed forces
No specific mention.
DDR
No specific mention.
Intelligence services
No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces
No specific mention.
Corruption
No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime
No specific mention.
Drugs
No specific mention.
Terrorism
No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general
No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon
No specific mention.
Courts
No specific mention.
Mechanism
No specific mention.
Prisoner release
No specific mention.
Vetting
No specific mention.
Victims
No specific mention.
Missing persons
No specific mention.
Reparations
No specific mention.
Reconciliation
No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory
No specific mention.
Other international signatory
No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement
No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar
No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism
Page 3, 1.7. Compliance and Enforcement
Proper sanctions against non-compliance are explicit in the respective legislation of each of the Core Parties. Enforcement of the water legislation is the norm.

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