International agreements

The attention given to landscape in environmental law is new and the subject raises a series of interesting problems, which were highlighted at a Colloquium. Its central theme was the draft European Landscape Convention prepared by the Council of Europe, the first of its kind. Since 1998, the draft has evolved, and has reached its almost final form; it is expected to be adopted during 2000. In addition to considering the draft Convention, the Colloquium also explored the elements of landscape conservation law in various parts of the world

This report was written as a contribution to Action Theme 10 (mountain ecosystems) of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS). It comprises and introduction to Activity 10.6, on cooperation in mountain ranges, of the PBLDS, followed by a review and assessment of existing mechanisms for inter-governmental cooperation in the Alps. Particular emphasis is placed on cooperation between levels, e.g., between nation-states and between sub-nationl administrative entities. Such cooperation between levels is of increasing importance at the turn of the millennium.