MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN
ON DEFENCE COOPERATION
The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of
the Kingdom of Sweden, hereinafter referred to as the
"Participants",
Considering that the promotion of mutual understanding
between the Participants will benefit the interests of both
countries,
Wishing to set forth the legal and practical framework
for the implementation of bilateral defence cooperation,
Seeking to contribute to peacekeeping, security and
stability in Europe and, particularly, in the Baltic Sea
region,
Understanding that cooperation as provided in this
Memorandum of Understanding, hereinafter referred to as the MoU,
may lead to cooperation in other areas of mutual interest in the
future,
Have reached the following understanding:
Section 1
Purpose
1. The purpose of this MoU is to promote friendly military
ties between the Participants by defining the scope of
cooperation in the field of defence and implementing such
cooperation in accordance with the principles of equality,
reciprocity and mutual benefit.
2. This MoU will be implemented within the framework of the
respective laws and regulations of the two countries.
Section 2
Areas of Co-operation
1. Cooperation between the Participants may take place in the
following areas:
a. exchange of defence related experience and information;
b. research and development;
c. legal issues;
d. logistics, maintenance and procurement issues;
e. military technical cooperation;
f. education and training of personnel;
g. crisis management;
h. military medicine and health services;
i. other areas of cooperation, as jointly decided by the
Participants.
2. When the Participants have identified a specific area of
cooperation, a supplementary arrangement to this MoU will be
prepared in order to develop that potential area of
cooperation.
Section 3
Authorized Agencies and Management
1. The implementation of this MoU will be carried out by the
authorized agencies of the Participants:
a. for the Government of the Republic of Latvia: the Ministry
of Defence
b. for the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden: the Ministry
of Defence
2. To monitor and implement this MoU, the Participants will
form a Joint Steering Committee, which will meet at times to be
jointly decided with a view to exchange information on defence
related matters of mutual interest.
3. To promote cooperation within the scope and areas relevant
to this MoU, the Participants may decide to establish "ad
hoc" expert groups with representatives from each
Participant.
Section 4
Protection of Classified Information
All classified information and materiel exchanged or generated
in connection with this MoU will be used, transmitted, stored,
handled, and safeguarded in accordance with the Agreement between
the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of
the Kingdom of Sweden concerning the protection of classified
information.
Section 5
Language
The working language will be English or as otherwise
agreed.
Section 6
Intellectual property rights
The national laws and regulations, as well as international
agreements in force between the two countries, will apply in
regard of intellectual property rights.
Section 7
Jurisdiction
While staying in the territory of the Host Participant, the
status of the representatives of the Sending Participant's armed
forces will be governed by the Agreement among the States Parties
to the North Atlantic Treaty and the Other States Participating
in the Partnership for Peace regarding the Status of their
Forces, signed in Brussels, on 19 June 1995 (PfP-SOFA).
Section 8
Costs
This MoU does not impose any financial responsibilities on
either Participant with regard to the other, i.e. each
Participant will be responsible for its own costs related to the
execution of this MoU if not otherwise decided by the
Participants.
Section 9
Final Provisions
1. This MoU becomes effective on the date of the
signature.
2. This MoU is concluded for a period of five years and will
be automatically extended for periods of five years, unless one
of the Participants not later then three months prior to
expiration of this MoU notifies in writing the other Participant
on its intention to terminate it.
3. If this MoU is terminated, the Participants will initiate
negotiations to settle all outstanding mutual financial
obligations, claims, disputes and security issues in accordance
with this MoU.
4. This MoU may be amended at any time, in writing, by the
mutual consent of the Participants.
5. Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of
this MoU will be resolved through negotiations between the
Participants at the lowest possible level and will not be
referred to any national or international tribunal or other third
party for settlement.
This MoU is signed in Riga, on 10 December 2012, in two
original copies in English, one for each Participant.
For the Government of the
Republic of Latvia
Dr. Artis Pabriks Minister of Defence
|
For the Government of the
Kingdom of Sweden
Karin Enstrom Minister for Defence
|