Memorandum of Understanding between the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Government of the Republic of Latvia

Regarding the Status of the Information Office of the Nordic Council of Ministers in Riga

The Nordic Council of Ministers and the Government of the Republic of Latvia,

with the purpose of establishing contacts between authorities, organizations and individuals in, on the one hand the Nordic countries and, on the other hand the Republic of Latvia,

referring to the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the status of the Nordic Information Office in Riga, signed in 1992 (herinafter referred to as "the Information Office"),

have agreed as follows:

1. The Information Office shall be a legal entity. It shall inter alia have the capacity to conclude contracts, to employ local personnel, to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property related to its activities and to institute legal proceedings.

2. Without being unduly restricted by financial control, regulations or moratoria, the Information Office may hold funds and operate accounts in any currency from one country to another and to convert any currency held by it into any other currency.

3. The furniture, materials and equipment necessary for the functioning of the Information Office shall be exempt from customs duties and all taxes, and likewise, from all prohibitions and restrictions on import and export.

4. The Director of the Information Office shall enjoy diplomatic status.

5. The Information Office shall be exempted from value added tax.

6. Goods imported under the provisions of this Memorandum shall not be sold, leased, given away or lent in Latvia except in accordance with conditions agreed upon by the appropriate Latvian authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance).

7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be notified of the arrival, assuming, ceasing office and final departure of the members (foreigners) of the Information Office.

8. Changes to this Memorandum shall be made upon mutual agreement expressed by the exchange of diplomatic notes.

9. This Memorandum shall enter into force after 30 days when the Contracting Parties have notified each other that all necessary constitutional formalities for its entry into force have been completed. This Memorandum shall be terminated by written notification by either Contracting Party and shall cease to be in force 30 days after such notice.

Done in Riga on August 20, 1996 in duplicate in the English and Latvian languages, both texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

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For the Nordic Council For the Government of the

of Ministers Republic of Latvia