AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF UKRAINE ON CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF DEFENCE

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine the hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

Basing themselves on the provisions and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;

Considering the provisions of the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Regarding the Status of Their Forces (hereinafter - NATO SOFA), done in London on 19 June 1951;

Bearing in mind the provisions of 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 (hereinafter - NATO/PfP SOFA"), done in Brussels on 19 June 1995;

Recognizing the mutual interest in maintaining and developing co-operation in the field of defence;

Wishing to strengthen and develop the bilateral relations and mutual confidence through co-operation between the Parties and the Armed Forces of their States;

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1
General information

1.1 This Agreement shall establish the framework for cooperation regarding defence and military matters between the Parties in areas of mutual interest.

1.2 This Agreement shall not affect commitments resulting for each Party from other existing bilateral or multilateral international agreements.

Article 2
Areas and Forms of Co-operation

2.1 Cooperation shall be carried out in the following areas:

a) defence policy and planning and military aspects of security;

b) military education and training;

c) military capability development;

d) logistics and procurements;

e) humanitarian, peacekeeping and crisis management operations;

f) other areas upon mutual consent of the Parties that fall under their competence.

2.2 The forms of cooperation may be as follows:

a) official visits;

b) consultations, working meetings and seminars;

c) military trainings and exercises;

d) other activities upon mutual consent of the Parties.

2.3 In order to fulfill provisions of this Agreement and to implement the cooperation in the areas mentioned in this Article, the Parties may conclude specific technical arrangements or protocols consistent with this Agreement.

Article 3
Planning

The Parties shall agree on common activities for the next year and, if necessary, may prepare a detailed plan of cooperation till October of the current year.

Article 4
Protection of Information

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

4.2 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.

4.3 All classified information exchanged or generated in connection with this Agreement shall be used, transmitted, stored, handled and safeguarded in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on Mutual Protection of Classified Information, signed in Kyiv on 7 November 2003.

Article 5
Financial Provisions

5.1 If not otherwise agreed by the Parties, the financial provisions of the activities within the framework of this Agreement shall be as follows:

a) The Hosting Party covers the travel expenses within the territory of its state, accommodation and meals;

b) The Hosting Party settles costs of emergency medical and dental care services. Costs of other medical and dental care services will be settled by the Sending Party;

c) The Sending Party covers the travel expenses to and from the territory of the Hosting Party, as well as the travel allowances and the cost of insurance.

5.2 The provisions as described in paragraph 5.1 of this Agreement shall not be applicable to groups consisting of more than ten members including the support personnel (e.g. drivers, interpreters etc.).

5.3 Other financial provisions will be established on a case by case basis by mutual written arrangement between the Parties.

Article 6
Status of Personnel

Status of members of delegations of the Parties shall be governed by the NATO/PfP SOFA where applicable.

Article 7
Settlement of Disputes

Any disputes regarding the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement will be settled amicably through consultations and negotiations between the Parties.

Article 8
Final Provisions

8.1 This Agreement will come into effect on the date of its signature. It will remain in effect for an unlimited period of time.

8.2 This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either Party giving a written notification. In such case the Agreement is terminated 6 (six) months from the date of the receipt of such notification.

8.3 Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, the provisions of Article 4 (Protection of Information), Article 5 (Financial Provisions) and Article 7 (Settlement of Disputes) will remain in effect until all outcoming issues are settled.

8.4 The Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual written consent of the Parties and such amendments will come into effect according to paragraph 8.1 of this Article.

8.5 The Agreement between the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defence the Republic of Latvia on Military Co-operation, done in Kyiv on 12 July 1994, will be terminated on the day of coming into effect of this Agreement.

Done in Riga on 15 December 2010, in duplicate, in the Latvian, Ukrainian and English languages, all texts being authentic.

In case of any divergences of the interpretation of the texts, the English text shall prevail.