The protocol was by Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia during the second meeting of the countries-signatories to the said framework agreement, which was held in Belgrade.
The protocol is designed to prevent, monitor and reduce pollution caused by vessels, as well as to set up technical requirements for river ports and define measures for responses in case of dangerous material spills.
The framework agreement on the Sava basin was signed in 2002 and took effect in 2004 with the purpose of enhancing cross-border cooperation aimed at ensuring sustainable development of the basin of this 945-kilometre long river, which flows into the Danube in Serbia.
The first meeting of the state-signatories was held in Zagreb in 2007 and the third is scheduled for 2011 in Slovenia.