Status[edit]
Originally, in 1976, fourteen states (contracting parties) and the European Economic Community signed the convention. During the review in 1995 all parties signed again. It came into effect on 12 February 1978. The 1995 amendments have yet to be ratified by all members. Members are all countries with a Mediterranean shoreline as well as the European Union. NGOs with a stated interest and third-party governments are allowed observer status.
The convention is applicable to the 'Zone of the Mediterranean Sea'. This is defined as 'the maritime waters of the Mediterranean as such, with all its gulfs and tributary seas, bounded to the west by the Strait of Gibraltar and to the east by the Dardanelle Strait'. Members are allowed to extend the application of the convention to the coastal areas within their own territory.