Agreement between the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of the Republic of Moldova on cooperation in the Field of Regional Development

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of the Republic of Moldova, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

Recognizing the friendly relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Moldova,

Wishing to establish and develop bilateral cooperation in the area of regional development,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Parties shall promote and support the development of mutual partner relations to enhance cooperation between the Latvian and Moldovan planning/ development regions and local governments, as well as institutions responsible for elaboration and implementation of national regional policy.

Article 2

(1) Co-operation of the Parties in the field of regional development shall be carried out within framework of their respective national laws and regulations and binding regulations of European Union in the following areas:

1) elaboration, co-ordination and monitoring of national regional policy,

2) implementation of training programmes at local and regional level in order to develop technical capacities for the development and management of projects to be co-financed by the structural instruments,

3) exchange of experience in the area of functioning of institutions responsible for implementation of national regional development policy,

4) obtaining and utilisation of European Union funds and other foreign assistance in the field of environmental protection and infrastructure, climate policy, regional development and territorial cooperation.

5) exchange of information and possibilities for development and implementation of projects under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI),

6) exchange of experience in cross-border co-operation, within the framework of European Union Neighbourhood programmes and European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI),

7) decentralisation of regional development programming, improving competitiveness of the regions,

8) co-operation in regional and local strategic and spatial planning (best practice regarding regional and local strategic and spatial planning; methodology for elaboration of local and regional level development programs),

9) drafting of legislation on interregional and cross-border cooperation,

10) optimization of administrative system and organization of local government activities in the following areas:

- reduction of administrative burden and availability of services, including simplification of legal acts and procedures, and evaluation of local government services;

- promotion of result-oriented governance in municipalities, developing a system of performance-based indicators and mutual coherence between processes of budget and policy planning.

(2) The Parties may also agree on other relevant areas of cooperation.

Article 3

(1) Co-operation of the Parties in the field of regional development will be conducted in the following forms:

1) training courses, meetings and seminars specialised in the area of local public administration and regional development;

2) exchange of visits at ministerial level;

3) exchange of visits by senior officials and experts, responsible for regional development;

4) exchange of experience and information in the area of local public administration;

5) organisation of events for the presentation of opportunities and challenges connected with questions mentioned in Article 2 Paragraph 1 Point 4 of this Agreement;

6) support to mutual contacts between local authorities of both countries related to questions mentioned in Article 2 Paragraph 1 Point 4 of this Agreement;

7) exchange of relevant materials.

(2) The Parties may also agree on other forms of cooperation.

Article 4

(1) Main issues concerning implementation of this Agreement and development of cooperation shall be discussed during meetings of the Ministers. Meetings of the Ministers shall be organized by agreement of the Parties on the initiative of either Party.

(2) In order to discuss current issues of cooperation, the Parties may arrange meetings of their representatives by agreement.

(3) Within a month after signing this Agreement, the Parties shall communicate each other the names of responsible contact persons for coordination and implementation of the cooperation under this Agreement.

Article 5

(1) The Parties shall finance implementation of this Agreement on equal basis. Each Party shall cover expenses for participation of its representatives in all joint events; however the receiving Party shall assure premises and necessary equipment to hold joint events. Information to be transferred to other Party shall be provided free of charge.

(2) In specific cases the Parties may agree otherwise on financing the implementation of this Agreement.

Article 6

Disputes concerning the interpretation and application of this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties through negotiations.

Article 7

Amendments and addenda shall be made to this Agreement on the basis of mutual consent of the Parties. Such amendments and addenda shall be executed as separate protocols that form an integral part of this Agreement and enter into force according to the provisions of Article 8.

Article 8

(1) This Agreement shall enter into force at the date of receipt of the last notification in written form through diplomatic channels, concerning the realization of the internal procedures by the Parties, necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement.

(2) This Agreement is signed for a period of 5 years and its action will be extended automatically for the following periods of 5 years unless either Party expresses its intention to denounce it by means of a written notice through diplomatic channels at least 6 months before the expiry of this Agreement.

(3) Denunciation of this Agreement will not affect the implementation of projects and programs launched during the period of validity of this Agreement, unless the Parties have agreed otherwise.

Signed at Chisinau on 28 June 2012, in two original copies, each in the Latvian, Moldavian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.