BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

Baltic Sea area. This requires a lot of preparatory work which
is a main task of MC. In addition the Baltic Sea States hold the
so-called BMCM meetings (Baltic maritime co-ordination meetings)
immediately before MEPC meetings of IMO with the aim to co-ordi-
nate their position.
1.2 Implementation of regulations
The success of international regulations depends on their effec-
tive implementation. This can be promoted by a regional co-ope-
ration. Therefore, its the task of MC to look for the effective
and harmonized implementation of IMO decisions by the Baltic Sea
States. These IMO decisions do not only include international
conventions and their amendments - such as MARPOL 73/78 -, but
also resolutions, guidelines, standards and other legal instru-
ments. MC has to identify such decisions which are applicable
for effective and harmonized implementation and, when deemed
necessary, to elaborate measures to facilitate such implementa-
tion and to follow the implementation status. This also includes
the exchange of information on experience gained with regard to
the application of international regulations and their enfor-
cement.
2. Working arrangements
The MC work is done mainly by the Committee itself; that means
through the annual MC meetings which take place at different
places around the Baltic Sea coast. If additional expert work is
necessary ad hoc working groups may be established under the
authorization of the Commission. For the time being MC has
established a working group dealing with airborne pollution (MC
Air), a further working group on reception facilities (MC Ret)
is pending. In addition MC makes use of the lead country system,
if appropriate. Under this system a member country volunteers to
make detailed investigations on a certain item and to elaborate
proposals for decision. In case there is no need for a working
group, but an expert discussion is helpful for the preparation
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