Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic Passports

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government the Republic of Kazakhstan, hereinafter referred to as the "Parties",

desirous of promoting their bilateral relations,

considering the interest in strengthening the existing friendly relationship and

with a view to facilitating the travel of nationals of the State of one Party to the territory of the State of the other Party,

have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The nationals of the State of one Party holding a valid diplomatic passport and not accredited in the territory of the State of the other Party shall be exempt from visa requirements to enter, stay, transit and leave the territory of the State of the other Party for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days during a half-year period.

Article 2

If holders of the passport referred to Article 1 of this Agreement intend to continue their stay, upon completion of the aforementioned term, in any of the two States, they shall be required to obtain the corresponding authorization from the local authorities to extend their stay, in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

Article 3

1. The nationals of the State of either Party holding a valid diplomatic passport, who are members of the diplomatic mission or consular post, may enter, stay and leave the territory of the State of the other Party, without a visa during the period of their assignment or commissions.

2. Similar rules shall apply to the family members of said officers, who are forming part of their household and holding valid diplomatic passport.

Article 4

The nationals of the State of either Party holding a valid diplomatic passport may enter or leave the territory of the State of the other Party at all border crossing points open to international passengers' traffic.

Article 5

This Agreement shall not release the holders of diplomatic passports of the State of the either Party from the observance of laws and regulations in force on the territory of the State of the other Party.

Article 6

The Parties shall inform each other of any changes in their national legislations concerning entry, exit, transit and stay of foreigners.

Article 7

Each Party reserves the right to deny entry into or stay in the territory of its State to holders of valid diplomatic passports of the other Party whom it considers undesirable.

Article 8

1. The Parties shall exchange through diplomatic channels specimens of their valid diplomatic passports within thirty (30) days after the date of signing of this Agreement.

2. If either Party modifies its diplomatic passport or introduces a new diplomatic passport after the entry into force of this Agreement, it shall provide the other Party with the specimens of new diplomatic passport through diplomatic channels at least thirty (30) days before it is introduced.

Article 9

1. Due to reasons of national security and public order each Party reserves the right to suspend temporarily, either in whole or in part, the application of this Agreement.

2. The other Party shall be notified in a written form suspension of application of this Agreement through diplomatic channels, not later than seventy two (72) hours prior to the entry into force of this measure.

3. The suspension of application of this Agreement shall not affect the rights of the nationals, mentioned in Articles 1 and 3 of this Agreement, who are already staying in the territory of the state of the other Party.

Article 10

With mutual consent the Parties may amend or supplement this Agreement in the form of additional Protocols which are to be considered as integral parts of this Agreement.

Article 11

Any differences or disputes arising out of the interpretation or implementation of the provisions of this Agreement shall be settled amicably by consultations or negotiations between the Parties.

Article 12

1. This Agreement shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the date of the receipt of the last written notification through diplomatic channels by which the Parties inform each other that their internal legal procedures for its entering into force have been completed.

2. This Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite period and shall cease to be in force three (3) months after the date of receipt of the notification of denunciation of this Agreement from one of the Parties.

Done at Riga on 16 of September in the year 2011 in two copies, each in the Latvian, Kazakh and English languages, all texts being equally authentic.

In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.