COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY On Fighting Against International Illicit Trafficking In Narcotic Drugs And Psychotropic Substances, International Terrorism And Organized Crime

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and The Government of the Republic of Turkey (hereinafter referred to as "Parties").

Within the framework of already existing friendly relations guided by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation Between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Turkey signed on July 12, 1994,

Being aware of the Final Document of the Vienna Conference of 1989, Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and of the Paris Charter adopted at the Paris Summit Meeting of 1990 and also of the relevant articles of the Declaration of the Helsinki Summit Meeting of CSCE of 1992.

In accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.

Concerned about the danger created by international illicit trafficking in drug and psyhchotropic substances, international terrorism and international organized crime.

Keeping in mind the concern about the close relations between international illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, international terrorism and international organized crime.

Desirous to strengthen and deepen the cooperation between the Law Enforcement Authorities of both countries on fighting against international illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, international terrorism and international organized crime.

Acting by principle of equality and mutual benefit, the Parties have agreed on the following articles:

CHAPTER ONE

COOPERATION ON PUBLIC SECURITY

Article 1 - The Parties, due to the subjects contained in this Agreement, shall mutually inform each other about the identities of the other Party`s citizens and permanent residents convicted of the crimes they have committed in their own territories and those suspected or investigated by the other Party in both countries and also about their involvement.

The Parties shall take necessary measures in accordance with their national legislation's for direct expulsion, to their original countries, of those convicted of the crimes contained in this Agreement and released but decided to be expelled.

Article 2 - The Parties shall immediately transfer each other the information they have obtained with regard to the initiatives to commit a crime and criminal activities occurring either in their own territory or abroad and targeting the other Party.

Article 3 - The relevant Authorities of the Parties shall exchange information on already discovered crimes and the methods used while committing such crimes and also the measures taken for the purpose of prevention of such crimes.

CHAPTER TWO

COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF FIGHTING AGAINST SMUGGLING OF NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, ARMS AND CULTURAL POSSESSIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZED CRIMES

Article 4 - The Parties shall cooperate for the purpose of adopting preventive measures against abuse, spreading and smuggling of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances contained in the Single Convention of 1961 and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 as well as of the substances contained in the list attached to the UN Convention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, identifying the members of illicit trafficking organizations, controlling their activities and discovering the methods used by the traffickers.

Article 5 - The Parties, in the investigations interesting both Parties, shall send each other any information relating to seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, origins and results of analysis of the precursors used for production of such substances as well as the information obtained as a result of the investigation.

Article 6 - The Parties shall take necessary measure at their state border points in order to prevent illegal entrance of narcotic drugs into their country. Furthermore they shall urgently exchange information relating to the identities of the smugglers of the above-mentioned substances and of those who carry out activities in this connection as well as the information available or to be obtained with regard to the methods used for transportation, concealment and distribution of such substances.

The Parties shall on the basis of their national legislation, and international obligations, facilitate the controlled delivery of illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in order to render possible the arrest of the persons to whom they will be delivered as well as any other persons involved in the trafficking, provided that the necessary information is submitted upon the decision of the authorities who have authority or power to give decision on controlled delivery as soon as possible.

Article 7 - The Parties shall undertake responsibility within the international organizations in order to achieve effective and fruitful results in fight against illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, and support each other.

Article 8 - In case a large-scale drug producing laboratory which applies new methods, is revealed in the territory of either Party, the structure, working methods, technical features of that laboratory together with its photographs and all related information shall be sent to the other Party directly or through diplomatic channels by possible means.

Article 9 - The Parties shall report to each other about the measures adopted in the field of fighting against narcotic drugs.

Furthermore they shall exchange films, brochures, searches and publications which they have prepared with regard to the harms of those substances as well as the works and studies warning the public about this subject.

Article 10 - The Parties shall take all measures to prevent illicit trafficking in precursors and inform each other of the possible international illicit circulation of such substances.

Article 11 - In case the Parties establish that the investigation they conduct with regard to illicit drug trafficking reveals relation with terrorism and organized crime, they shall immediately transfer such related information to the relevant Party and, if necessary, the investigation shall be conducted. The Parties shall provide every kind of information and documentation support necessary for the investigation.

Article 12 - The Parties shall cooperate and adopt joint measures against smuggling of cultural and natural possessions; crimes related to artistical works; illicit trade and trafficking in valuable stones and mine; counterfeiting of banknotes, securities and valuables, forgery of passports and visas; money laundering; people smuggling, illicit trade and trafficking in arms, ammunition, explosives, radioactives, poisons and other dangerous substances, trafficking in stolen vehicles and also other organized crimes.

The Parties shall take necessary measures providing the cultural and historical objects to be sent back to the country whom they belong to upon the determination of these objects are being kept illegally.

CHAPTER THREE

COOPERATION ON COUNTER -TERRORISM

Article 13 - The Parties shall take effective measures in order to prevent preparation and organization of terrorist acts against the other Party`s security and citizens and permanent residents within their boundaries.

Every kind of information and documents asked for in every field with respect to terrorist incidents shall be transferred and the fight shall be conducted jointly.

Article 14 - The cooperation on counter-terrorism shall cover particularly the terrorist organizations and terrorist activities which directly effect the interests of the Parties, modus operandis and action methods of terrorist organizations, technical and tactical methods used in the fight against such organizations.

Direct exchange of information between the Authorities of both Parties fighting against international terrorist organizations and terrorist activities shall be tried to be provided.

Article 15 - The Parties, in the fight against international terrorism, shall not allow the activities of the terrorist organizations acting in their own territories against the other Party and will fight against them as illegal organizations .

Article 16 - The Parties shall take effective measures for provision of security of their mutual Diplomatic Missions.

CHAPTER FOUR

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 17 - The Parties shall mutually cooperate in the field of professional training.

The Parties shall determine the training activities by Protocols which will be concluded between the two Parties.

Article 18 - The Parties shall exchange information on the technics and methods applied and developed in the fight against crime and criminality and may send staff to the other Party for specialist training in this field. In this context, the Parties shall cooperate on personnel training within the possibilities in their respective countries.

Article 19 - A Joint Commission composed of the representatives of the Parties shall be established for continuation of the cooperation and activating the Agreement.

The Joint Commission shall meet when necessary and at a predetermined date alternately in the Republic of Latvia and in the Republic of Turkey.

Article 20 - The Parties shall inform each other of their telephone and fax numbers in order to provide direct cooperation and assistance on the matters mentioned in this Agreement as soon as possible.

The Parties may make use of Interpol channels in case of emergency.

The requested Party shall bear the costs incurred by the execution of the request for assistance.

Article 21 - The Parties may mutually assign police liaision officers to their respective Embassies on the basis of reciprocity or accept that the liaision officer working in another country is accredited for their respective country.

Furthermore, the Parties may send experts to each other upon approval.

Article 22 - In implementing the cooperation mentioned in this Agreement, national legislation's of the Parties shall be basis.

Article 23 - This Agreement shall not hinder the implementation of the obligations of the Parties included in the multilateral and bilateral Agreements to which they are already bound.

Article 24 - Either Party may deny in whole or in part or may condition to comply with the request for assistance or cooperation in case this request harms its national sovereignty, endangers its security or basic interests. In this situation, this matter shall be notified to the other Party.

Article 25 - The information and documents to be exchanged in accordance with this Agreement shall be kept confidential upon request and be used in accordance with the conditions and purposes determined by the delivering Party. The document and information obtained through exchange procedure shall not be forward to a third Party unless the consent of the providing Party is received.

The Parties shall protect effectively delivered information against unauthorized access, change and publication.

Article 26 - This Agreement shall come into force through Exchange of Note.

The Agreement shall enter into force upon notification by both Parties of the implementation of the constitutional obligations according to which this Agreement takes effect.

The present Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite period. Either Party may terminate the present Agreement by declaration through diplomatic channels. The Agreement shall cease to have effect six months after the date of receipt of such a declaration by one Party.

Done at Riga on June 4, 1997 in two original copies in the Latvian, Turkish and English languages all of which are authentic. In case of any disagreement in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Latvia Dainis Turlais Minister of Interior

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Turkey Ayfer Ilmaz Minister of State