Guidelines for the Prevention of Accidents and Incidents on the High Seas and International Airspace

1. The military and other activities carried out by the ships and aircraft of both countries on the high seas and international airspace will be conducted in accordance with international law and international custom, instruments, rules, regulations and procedures.

2. In accordance with the above:

A. The naval units of the parties will abide by the following guidelines:

a.They will refrain from acts of harassment of each other while operating in the high seas in accordance with international law and custom.

b. They will act in full conformity with international law, rules, regulations, and procedures as well as military custom and courtesy.

c. Naval units engaged in the surveillance of ships of the other party during firing operations and other military activities in accordance with international law, instruments, rules, regulations and procedures shall maintain a position which will not hamper their smooth conduct.

B. The air force units in conducting military activities in the international airspace will abide by the following guidelines:

a. They will act in full conformity with international law and in particular international custom, instruments, rules, regulations and procedures.

b. Pilots of aircraft of the parties shall display utmost caution when in proximity of aircraft of the other party and shall not manoeuvre or react in a manner that would be hazardous to the safety of the flight and/or affect the conduct of the mission of the aircraft.

3. To promote the climate of confidence, whenever there are claims of acts contrary to the above, the sides will in the first place inform each other through diplomatic channels prior to releasing official statements.

Istanbul, 8 September 1988