MOSCOW. Sept 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian government has approved the draft intergovernmental agreement with Turkey on prevention of sea incidents out of coastal waters.
The document was drafted by the Defense Ministry, and approved by the Foreign Ministry, the Federal Security Service, and the Ministry of Justice. Also, it was discussed in a working group with the Turkish side, reads the governmental press release obtained by Interfax-Military News Agency Friday.
The daft states that the sides should invariably abide by the principles and norms of the international law, the 1972 international regulations on prevention of collisions of ships at sea, as well as sets the procedures for ships to behave in cases not covered by the 1972 regulations.
The document also provides that military ships should avoid maneuvers preventing the maneuvers of the ships of the other side, or hold exercises in areas with intensive traffic, where international ship traffic separation systems are utilized, as well as keep away at a distance enough to rule out any risks of collision.
The draft also puts forward that when in direct visibility from each other, the ships should use flag, sound or light signals in accordance with the 1972 regulations, the international code of signals or a table of special signals enclosed to the document to demonstrate their intentions.
The document also provides that ships should avoid simulating attacks by moving guns, missile launchers, torpedo launchers and other weapons in the direction of ships and aircraft of the other side, and refrain from using equipment that can threaten health of people.
The governmental press service says that the Russian Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry are entitled to organize and hold negotiations with the Turkish side and sign the agreement.
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