The development of the black sea straits regulation of international navigation

Abstract

The Black sea straits as part of significant sea root were long time targets of the international politics and law. Regime constructed by Montreux Convention of 1936 was stable during decades but since 90-s Turkey unilaterally changed the rules. Objectively the new Turkish Regulations were a big step to prevent pollution, to improve the safety of vessel traffic and to ensure the safety of navigation through the mentioned straits. But it still has problematic provisions that breach the Montreux convention and modern principles of the law of the international navigation. Author tries to find limits established by the international law in this area because environmental reasons should not justify unjust actions. The Black sea straits case shows us how it is difficult to find balance between claims of user states and littoral states.