AGREEMENT BETWEEN the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania on Co-operation in the Fields of Defence and Military Relations

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, hereinafter referred to as the Participants,

- considering the Treaty on Unity and Cooperation and the Resulting Declaration between Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, signed on 12^th September 1934 in Geneva, as it was renewed on the basis of the Declaration on Unity and Cooperation by the Republic of Latvia, Republic of Estonia and Republic of Lithuania, signed on 12^th May 1990 in Tallinn,

- implementing the Protocol Agreement between the Ministries of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, Republic of Latvia and Republic of Lithuania concerning the cooperation in the field of ensuring common security, signed in Pärnu on 2^nd June, 1992,

- acknowledging the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation , hereinafter referred to as "NATO", and of the European Union, hereinafter referred to as "EU" in ensuring international peace and security,

- seeking to contribute to peacekeeping, security and stability in Europe and, particularly, in the Baltic region,

- noting the existing co-operation between the Participants in the field of defence,

- considering the need to enhance the practical framework of co-operation bet­ween the Participants,

have reached the following understanding:

Article 1
Purpose and Scope

1. The purpose of this Agreement is to outline a framework for co-operation in the field of defence between the Participants.

2. This Agreement is not intended to conflict with the national legislation of the Participants or with international law. Should there be conflict, international law or national legislation will prevail. The Participants will notify each other in the event of any conflict arising.

Article 2
Areas of co-operation

The Participants will co-operate in the following areas:

1. Cooperation within NATO and the EU and participation in international agreements on stability and security;

2. Defence policy and planning;

3. Development of defence capabilities;

4. Training and education of military and civilian personnel;

5. Communication and information systems;

6. Logistics and procurement issues;

7. Legal issues;

8. Crisis management;

9. Civil-military co-operation;

10. Environmental protection in the military field;

11. Other areas of mutual interest that will be agreed by the Participants during the co-operation

Article 3
Forms of co-operation

1. The main forms of co-operation will be as follows:

• Official and working visits of the ministers of (national) defence, commanders of the armed forces, civilian and military personnel;

• Consultations, meetings, conferences, seminars, symposia, exhibitions, etc;

• Exchange of information;

• Trainings, exercises and courses;

• Exchange of military and civilian personnel;

• Sports and cultural events;

• Other forms of co-operation that will be agreed by the Participants as deemed necessary.

2. At least once a year meeting of minis­ters of (national) defence will be arranged to discuss issues of common interests. Official visits will be organised on the territory of each Participant in turn.

3. Detailed arrangements related to specific projects and activities between the Participants may be laid out in separate documents.

4. The Participants may establish joint committees and working bodies on a parity basis as needed to carry out and co-ordinate co-operation projects.

Article 4
Financing of co-operation

The Participants agree to cover fully their own expenditures related to co-operation, unless otherwise agreed.

Article 5
Annual Co-operation Plan

1. On the basis of this Agreement an annual co-operation plan will be drawn up. It will be signed by authorised representatives of the Participants not later than the 31^st December of previous year. The annual co-operation plan may be changed at any time through the mutual consent of the Participants.

2. The annual co-operation plan will contain information concerning the title of the activity, the time and place of execution and the number of the participants. If necessary, any additional information may be included.

Article 6
Working Language

The co-operation will be carried out in English.

Article 7
Medical Support

The Participant that sends a delegation will cover the medical insurance for the members of the delegation. The receiving Participant will ensure emergency medical care and treatment for the sending Participant's personnel in military facilities on the same terms and conditions as provided to the personnel of the receiving Participant.

Article 8
Status of Personnel

While staying on the territory of the state of the receiving Participant, the status of the sending Participant's personnel will be governed by the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces, signed in London on 19^th June 1951.

Article 9
Protection of Information

1. The protection of classified information provided by the Participants in the course of co-operation will be regulated by applicable national laws and regulations of the states of the Participants, NATO rules covering the protection of classified information and by relevant international agreements among the states of the Participants.

2. The information received or generated while cooperating in accordance with this Agreement will be disclosed for official use only, unless the originator of the information has given written consent for using the information for other purposes. For the purpose of this paragraph the information means any information, regardless of form or type, except classified information as specified above.

Article 10

Settlement of Disputes

Any dispute regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement will be resolved by consultation between the Participants concerned and will not be referred to any third party for settlement.

Article 11
Final Provisions

1. This Agreement will enter into force on the date of its last signature.

2. This Agreement will remain in force for an unlimited period of time.

3. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual consent. Amendments will be in writing and signed by all Participants in 3 (three) original copies, one for each Participant.

4. This Agreement may be terminated by mutual consent of the Participants.

5. Any Participant may withdraw from this Agreement by giving 6 (six) months' written notice to the other Participants.

6. After the withdrawal of one of the Participants, the Agreement will remain in force with respect to the two other Participants by their mutual consent.

7. If on the date of termination or withdrawal there are unsolved financial issues or claims, the related provisions of this Agreement will remain in force until their final settlement.

8. On the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Agreement between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania on Co-operation in the Fields of Defence and Military Relations, signed on 27 February 1995 in Vilnius is terminated.

Signed in Jaunmokas on 30^th of May, 2008 in 3 (three) original copies in the Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the English language text will prevail.

On behalf of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia	On behalf of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia	On behalf of the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania
Vinets Veldre Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia	Jaak Aaviksoo Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia	Juozas Olekas Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania