AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON CO-OPERATION IN THE SPHERE OF DEFENCE

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of the People's Republic of China,

hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

Taking into consideration the necessity to contribute to strengthening of peace, trust, stability and relations between the countries in the world in the spirit of the United Nations Charter;

keeping in mind the development of an atmosphere of mutual confidence by cooperation of defence ministries of both countries and their armed forces;

wishing to set forth the legal and practical framework arrangements for the implementation of bilateral co-operation activities in the defence area;

Expressing their desire for a mutually beneficial cooperation based on mutual respect, confidence and cooperation,

have reached the following understanding:

Article 1

PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT

1. Within the limits of their responsibilities as defined by their national legislation the Parties establish by this Agreement a framework for bilateral co-operation in the field of defence.

2. Co-operation is to be carried out in the fields and forms defined by this Agreement.

3. This Agreement does not restrict fields and forms of co-operation. The Parties may agree to take up co-operation in other areas which both of them consider of mutual interest. However the aim of this Agreement is not to conflict with international or national law of the Parties and their international obligations.

Article 2

FIELDS OF CO-OPERATION

Cooperation and the exchange of information between the Parties can cover the following spheres:

a. Defence policy and security policy.

b. Education and training of the armed forces.

c. Education of military and civilian staff, training and increasing the qualification of the staff.

d. Issues related to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

e. Military science.

f. Structure of the armed forces, logistics.

g. Military law.

h. Exchange in the sphere of culture and sports.

Article 3

FORMS OF CO-OPERATION

In accordance with the decision of the Parties, cooperation can be conducted in the following forms:

a. Meetings of the Ministers of Defence and the Chiefs of Staff and their deputies or of other officials authorized by the Parties.

b. Exchange of experience between experts of the Parties in different spheres of action.

c. Organizing and conducting of joint activities in the framework of bilateral co-operation programs.

d. Participation of military observers in military exercises.

e. Organizing of joint discussions, consultations meetings and participation in courses, symposiums and conferences.

Article 4

PLANS OF CO-OPERATION

In order to apply the provisions of this Agreement, the Parties shall establish an annual plan for cooperation. In implementing the agreed activities, departments of the competent institution shall work out details of exchange and to transmit them via diplomatic channels.

Article 5

ORGANIZATION OF VISITS

1. The Parties organize official and working visits on a reciprocal basis.

2. The transport expenses to a mutually agreed point in the host Party are taken by the sending Party.

3. The host Party provides at it own expenses the following to the members of the delegation of the sending Party:

a. Food and accommodation.

b. Transport in accordance with the program of the visit.

c. Cultural program.

d. Emergency medical assistance.

4. Costs in the case of events involving groups of more then 10 guest participants (such as military sport teams, military bands or student groups) shall be borne according to a separate agreement between the Parties.

5. All other expenses, which might arise in different spheres of cooperation, are defined by additional provisions between the Parties outside the principle of reciprocity.

Article 6

PROTECTION OP INFORMATION

1. The Parties, in compliance with their legislation, provide the same protection on the classified information ensured by the Origin Party as they do for their classified information of the same level of classification.

2. Classified information shall be trans­mitted between the Parties in compliance with the respective legislation on protection of classified information in the State of the Origin Party. The classified information shall be transmitted through diplomatic channels. Other approved means of transmission or exchange may be used if agreed upon by the Parties.

3. Any classified material or information received in the framework of the Present Agreement may not be released or disclosed to third Parties by direct or indirect way, without previous written approval of the Origin Party.

Article 7

CLOSING PROVISIONS

1. The present Agreement will enter into force upon the date of last signature and will remain in force for unlimited period of time.

2. The Parties can make amendments and additions to the present Agreement on mutual consent, expressed in a written form.

3. Each dispute, which might arise during interpretation or application of this Agreement, shall be settled by consultations and negotiations between the Parties without referring to any international court or third party.

4. Any Party can terminate this Agreement by a written statement addressed to the other Party. The Agreement ceases to have effect at the end of the sixth month of the receipt of the written statement of termination.

Signed in Beijing on December 19, 2006 in two identical copies, each in Latvian, Chinese and English, all the texts being equally authentic.

In case of differences of interpretation the English version shall prevail.