AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM ON CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, hereinafter referred to as the "Parties";

Wishing to strengthen and develop friendly and mutually beneficial relations in education between the Parties;

Realizing the importance of co-operation in the field of education for better understanding between the nations;

Considering the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, of the other part, entered into force on 1 October 2016;

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Parties shall support different forms of co-operation in the field of education based on the principles of mutual respect, interests and partnership and in compliance with their international obligations and legislation in force in both countries.

Article 2

The Parties shall encourage exchange of experience in the field of education, convey each other information and legal documents in force, concerning the structure and the organization of education system, curriculum, teaching materials and other information that is needed to implement successful co-operation between the Parties.

Article 3

The Parties shall encourage direct co-operation between education and scientific institutions, as well as mobility of pupils, students, teachers, academic staff, scientists, education officials, experts and specialists.

Article 4

The Parties shall consider the possibility to offer each other scholarships for studies in all study levels (bachelor, master and doctoral degree) in state recognised higher education institutions and study programmes, as well as scholarships for research work at higher education institutions and for participation in international summer schools.

Article 5

The Parties shall cooperate and promote information exchange and consultations between the relevant government institutions of both countries on the issues related to mutual recognition of educational documents, degrees, professional qualifications and academic titles obtained in both countries.

Article 6

The Parties shall agree to cooperate in the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Education Process, programmes and projects of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), of the European Union and other international programmes and projects available to the Parties.

Article 7

The Parties shall set up a joint bilateral working group in order to evaluate and implement the stipulations of the Agreement. The joint bilateral working group shall meet alternatively in the Republic of Latvia and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The Parties shall agree on the place, time and composition of the meetings.

Article 8

The financial assistance to the activities mentioned in the Agreement shall be carried out within the limits of the financial means of each Party.

Article 9

Any dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation or implementation of the Agreement shall be settled by consultations and negotiations through diplomatic channels.

Article 10

The Agreement can be amended with the mutual consent of the Parties in the form of an addendum as an integral part of the Agreement. Such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 11 of the Agreement.

Article 11

1. The Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last written notification of the Parties through the diplomatic channels about the fulfilment of all internal procedures necessary for its entering into force.

2. The Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. Either Party may, at any time, notify the other Party in written form through diplomatic channels of its intention to terminate the Agreement. The termination shall take effect 6 (six) months after receiving such notification.

3. The termination of the Agreement shall not affect projects or programmes already undertaken under the Agreement and not yet completed at the time of such termination.

Done in ______________on________________ in two original copies in Latvian, Vietnamese and English, all texts being equally authentic. In case of different interpretations, the text in English shall prevail.