Amendment 1 to the Letter of Agreement on Law Enforcement of September 2004 between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the United States of America

I. GENERAL

The Government of the Republic of Latvia, and the Government of the United States of America (each individually, a "Party," and collectively, the "Parties") jointly agree to modify and amend the Letter of Agreement on Law Enforcement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the U.S. Government, signed on September 27, 2004 (hereinafter - the "LOA") in the following respect:

Regional Law Enforcement Initiative: to establish and support a project designed to enhance cooperation and information sharing among law enforcement actors in Europe.

The project description and project performance goals are described in Section II and III below. This amendment to the LOA does not alter the performance measurements applicable to projects enumerated under that LOA. All other obligations, terms, and conditions contained in the LOA shall remain applicable and in full force and effect. Provision of U.S. Government funding beyond the current fiscal year is conditioned upon satisfactory progress toward project goals and the availability of funds authorized and appropriated on a year-to-year basis by the U.S. Congress and approved by the U.S. Department of State. The Parties agree that additional funds may be provided for these purposes, subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in the LOA, as amended, without further need to amend the LOA to reflect the amount of funds provided. The U.S. Government will notify the Government of the Republic of Latvia when additional resources are to be provided in support of these projects.

II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Regional Law Enforcement Initiative

The Regional Law Enforcement Initiative is designed to augment European partners' capacity to deter and investigate transnational crime and associated corruption to form a sustainable neutral platform for information sharing among law enforcement actors in Europe.  Toward that goal, the Government of Latvia and the U.S. Government shall take actions and commit resources on an annual basis as authorized by their respective legislative processes to support this LOA.

Actions to be taken include supporting efforts in Latvia and other European countries to improve the criminal justice sector's ability to combat corruption and money laundering; promote secure borders; investigate and prosecute financial, cyber and organized crime; and engage civil society in advancing related reforms.  A special focus will be placed on using training, mentoring, and technical assistance to improve institutional capacities within the criminal justice sector and enhance information and working-level coordination among European countries on issues related to transnational organized crime. The anticipated life of the project is two to four years.

The Parties may increase, amend, or terminate projects undertaken in conjunction with this LOA as agreed to by the Parties in writing. Such projects shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this LOA.

III. Project Performance Goals and Achievement Verification

The long-term goals of this project are 1) to augment the capacity of Latvia and other European partner nations to combat corruption, money laundering, and other transnational financial crimes and 2) to significantly reduce the amount of time necessary to successful prosecute financial and other criminal cases. The project objectives are to 1) increase the technical capacity of investigators, prosecutors, and judges to handle complex financial cases; and 2) support governments to develop strategies to streamline criminal prosecutions and strengthen the rule of law. Activities will include training, workshops, peer-to-peer mentoring, and a legal analysis to identify opportunities to streamline criminal prosecutions and strengthen the rule of law.

Progress toward achievement of the project goals and objectives will be measured in terms of transnational organized crime cases initiated as a result of project activities, as well as the number of cases successfully prosecuted. It will also measure the average amount of time it takes criminal cases to move through the system. Methods of verification of project achievement include observation by personnel of the two cooperating governments and by official records of arrests and convictions of law violators and seizures of proceeds of crime. Such records shall be processed in accordance with the legislation of the Parties governing protection of personal data and disclosure of restricted information.

IV. Program Evaluation

Representatives of the the Government of Latvia and the Government of the United States will meet at least every year to review progress towards achievement of the project goal and objectives. Progress will be evaluated in accordance with the measurements of success described above. Information to be considered in conducting these evaluations will include qualitative and quantitative indicators. A report will be prepared jointly to summarize the results of these evaluations. These evaluations are in addition to the ongoing monitoring of the programs and activities conducted by relevant personnel of both governments.

This amendment shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last written notification through diplomatic channels by which Parties inform that the internal legal procedures have been fulfilled.

Done in duplicate at Riga, Latvia, this 4^th day of September of 2019, in Latvian and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.