PROTOCOL 20 on access to inland waterways

1. Mutual right of access shall be granted by each of the Contracting Parties to each other's inland waterways. In the case of the Rhine and the Danube, the Contracting Parties will take all necessary steps to reach simultaneously the objective of equal access and freedom of establishment in the area of inland waterways.

2. Arrangements to ensure reciprocal equal access to inland waterways within the territory of the Contracting Parties for all Contracting Parties shall be elaborated within the international organizations concerned by 1 January 1996, taking into account the obligations under relevant multilateral Agreements.

3. All relevant acquis in inland waterways shall apply as of the entry into force of the Agreement to those EFTA States which have, at that time, access to Community inland waterways, and to the other EFTA States as soon as they obtain the right of equal access.

However, Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 1101/89 of 27 April 1989 (OJ No L 116, 28.4.1989, p. 25), as adapted for the purposes of the Agreement, shall become applicable to such inland waterway vessels from the latter EFTA States which are brought into service after 1 January 1993 as soon as these States obtain access to the inland waterways of the Community.