Protocols on air pollution, water management and waste management have still to be negotiated. Transport has so far proved the most difficult issue for the parties to address due to differences over how strong transport-environment measures should be. Talks broke down altogether in 1996 when Germany and Italy completely rejected an Austrian demand that the protocol should include a right for convention parties to veto major road developments in neighbouring countries. The process, which is being coordinated by Liechtenstein, is intended to lead to signature of a transport protocol at ministers' next meeting in 2000. Environmental NGOs say the transport dispute has harmed the convention.
Governments appear more optimistic, though.
The soil and energy protocols agreed on Friday lay down general principles plus specific rules to be applied by the convention parties. The energy protocol, in particular, will have significant implications for future energy management, according to the Swiss government. Swiss minister Moritz Leuenberger was nevertheless unable to sign the protocol in Bled due to domestic opposition over some of its components revealed during a national consultation process this spring.