Bilateral Agreement setting the principles of the French-Latvian cooperation in the field of NATO codification

Within the framework of the BASELOG program of the NATO Allied Committee No 135, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of France represented by the National Codification Bureau and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia represented by the National Codification Bureau have established the following cooperation principles:

1. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT

1.1 Until 2003, France will bear:

1.1.1 The basic training costs of the codification training courses and accommodation costs on the French territory. These courses will be offered to Latvia on an annual basis according to availabilities.

1.1.2 The sending of two technicians from CIMD for the installation of the software including a complementary course for users

1.1.3 The maintenance of the ADAGIO information processing software

1.2 Beyond this date Latvia will choose among two solutions:

1.2.1 Continue to use the ADAGIO software with a financial contribution towards the maintenance costs of the tool

1.2.2 Choose another codification tool.

2. TRAINING

Three types of training can be provided in France (CIMD - Rennes) on behalf of the Latvian personnel involved in NATO codification:

2.1 Training for codification managers ( duration : 1 week)

A subset of the basic programme set out in part B, Section III, BASELOG catalogue, French part, tailored to Latvia requirements, will be provided to persons involved in developing the organization of the Latvian NCB during the first half of the year 2002.

2.2 Codifier basic course and training on the codification tool (duration :3 weeks)

This course provides basic knowledge on NATO codification. Practical codification exercises will be done on the ADAGIO software and will mainly be based on Latvian equipment.

2.3 Codifier advanced training course ( duration : 2 weeks)

This course is for technicians with a good practical experience of item identification wishing to acquire deeper knowledge in the field of NATO codification.

3. CODIFICATION TOOL

3.1 Technical specifications

The technical specifications of the codification tool as described in the ADAGIO presentation have been approved by the Latvian NCB.

3.2 Delivery of the codification tool

The first operational version of this tool will be delivered to the Latvian NCB at CIMD end of 2001 or during the first half of year 2002. Moreover, on this occasion the Latvian NCB's representative(s) will be trained in the use of this tool. They will carry out a first series of Latvian item identifications according to the principles of NATO codification. The Latvian NCB will first subscribe to the NATO Mailbox System (NMBS).

3.3 Installation of the codification tool in Latvia

A team from CIMD (2-3 persons for one week) will install the codification tool when the information processing systems of the Latvian Codification Office allow it (in end of 2001 or during the first half of year 2002). They will allow access to the INTERNET.

3.4 Operation/use of the tool

The codification tool will exclusively be used to carry out codification work for the Latvian forces and to process the requests for item identification of Latvian equipment sent by other NATO countries or non-NATO countries sponsored by the AC/135. Processing on the French NCB's information processing system will be carried out according to a schedule to be set up subsequently.

4. ADAGIO's users forum

Like the other countries sharing the ADAGIO codification tool with France, Latvia will have the opportunity to participate in the ADAGIO forum:

Exchange of information on the ADAGIO website.

Participation in ADAGIO meetings.

5. Miscellaneous

This joint document has been drafted in four copies in French and Latvian:

• Two copies for France ;

• Two copies for Latvia.

The present clauses of this agreement will be effective as of the date of signature