Agreements on recreational activities in specially protected natural areas under Russian and European law

The agreement-based regulation of recreational activities in specially protected natural areas, focusing particularly on national parks, was examined under the legal systems of the Russian Federation, the Portuguese Republic, the Italian Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Kingdom of Spain. Various types of agreements that may be reached between public and private entities of these countries to carry out such recreational projects were discussed in detail. A comparative analysis of the relevant Russian and European laws was performed. The study concludes that the Portuguese, Italian, German, and Spanish laws are characterized by greater flexibility, decentralized approach, and ample opportunities for concluding agreements on recreational activities in specially protected natural areas. In contrast, the Russian legal system is more formalized and requires mandatory auctions to negotiate and finalize agreements on any recreational initiatives in national parks.