Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Czech Republic on Cooperation in the Field of Culture

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Czech Republic (hereinafter referred to as ''the Contracting Parties''):

- Desiring to strengthen and develop the friendly relations between the two countries and their peoples;

- Convinced that exchanges and cooperation in the field of culture will contribute to a better mutual knowledge and understanding between the citizens of the two countries;

- Resolved to implement the principles of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the 1990 Paris Charter for a New Europe;

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The Contracting Parties shall encourage cooperation in all fields of culture and arts contributing to a deeper public awareness in both countries of the cultural heritage as well as contemporary art of the other Contracting Party.

To this end they shall encourage various forms of cooperation in the field of individual arts in the form of exhibitions, publishing of fiction and scientific literature, presentation of the musical, dramatic and dance arts, folk culture and audiovisual art. They shall also encourage the exchange of information and cooperation in the field of cultural education of children, young people and adults.

The Contracting Parties shall encourage cooperation in the field of protection and preservation of cultural heritage.

Article 2

The Contracting Parties shall encourage direct contacts and exchanges between their respective cultural institutions, societies, civic associations and other non-governmental entities and individuals.

The Contracting Parties shall encourage cooperation between their cultural education institutions, libraries, archives, museums and galleries, concert organizations and theatres as well as other institutions and professional associations in the field of culture.

The Contracting Parties shall encourage forms of cooperation in the fields of local and regional culture and non-professional artistic activities.

Article 3

The Contracting Parties shall exchange information on the cultural life in their countries.

Article 4

The present Agreement shall not affect any rights and obligations undertaken by the Contracting Parties by virtue of signature of international agreements with other countries.

Article 5

The Contracting Parties shall encourage and implement cooperation within international intergovernmental organizations, especially in the area of European integration processes.

Article 6

The present Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature.

The present Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years and thereafter shall be automatically renewed for successive five-year periods unless terminated in writing by either Contracting Party through diplomatic channels. In such case, the termination of the Agreement shall take effect upon the expiry of six months from the date of receipt of the notice of termination by either Contracting Party.

In the event of termination of the present Agreement, any exchange programme, agreed event or project initiated under this Agreement and still in progress shall continue to be implemented until its completion.

Done at Prague this 10 day of May in two originals, each in Latvian, Czech and English languages, all texts being equally authentic.

In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevai.

For the Government of the Republic of Latvia Karina Pētersone Minister of Culture

For the Government of the Czech Republic Pavel Dostal Minister of Culture