Environmental protection and international cooperation: the case of the Turkish straits

Industrial and technological improvements have globalized environmental problems. This reality has developed the environmental conscience both at national and international levels and almost all states have formed their own environmental policies. The environmental disasters which transpass national boundaries put'forth the reality that they can only find solution by the cooperation of those states concerned. The serious effects of the tankers and oil spills caused by tanker accidents or other operations cannot be underestimated. The tanker accidents which have occurred for years in the Turkish Straits have put them in an ecological danger and require some technical and legislative amendments for the protection of this region which has a historical value and strategic importance for today's Turkey. ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to stress the importance and the seriousness of this issue; and to show that precautions must be taken not'only for security purposes but also for ecological protection. By an analysis of the case of the Turkish Straits, this study suggests that such cases are not only national problems, but they have a universal nature which requires international cooperation.