The Black Sea, 11−14.[1]
Art. XI.[2] Neutralization.The Black Sea is neutralized: its waters and its ports, thrown open to the mercantile marine of every nation are formally and in perpetuity interdicted to the flag of war, either of the Powers possessing its coasts, or of any other Power, with the exceptions mentioned in Articles XIV and XIX[3] of the present Treaty.
Art. XII. Freedom of navigation. Free from any impediment, the commerce in the ports and waters of the Black Sea shall be subject only to regulations of health, customs, and police, framed in a spirit favourable to the development of commercial transactions[4].
In order to afford to the commercial and maritime interests of every nation the security which is desired, Russia and the Sublime Porte will admit Consuls into their ports situated upon the coast of the Black Sea, in conformity with the principles of international law.
Art. XIII. Arsenals.The Black Sea being neutralised according to terms of Article XI, the maintenance or establishment upon its coast of military-maritime arsenals becomes alike unnecessary and purposeless; in consequence, His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias and His Imperial Majesty the Sultan engage not to establish or to maintain upon that coast any military-maritime arsenal.
Art. XIV. Light vessels.Their Majesties the Emperor of all the Russias and the Sultan having concluded a Convention for the purpose of settling the force and the number of light vessels, necessary for the service of their coasts, which they reserve to themselves to maintain in the Black Sea, that Convention is annexed to the present Treaty[5], and shall have the same force and validity as if it formed an integral part thereof. It cannot be either annulled or modified without the assent of the Powers signing the present Treaty.
- ↑ Cf. Treaty of London, 1871, Arts, 1, 2, 3.
- ↑ This Article, and Articles 13 and 14, are abrogated by Art. 1 of the Treaty of London.
- ↑ The exception relates to the two light vessels which each of the signatory Powers might station at the mouths of the Danube.
- ↑ Cf. Art. 3 of the Treaty of London.
- ↑ Q. v. infra, p. 258.
