Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of Georgia on Cooperation in the field of Information Technologies

The Government the Republic of Latvia and the Government of Georgia, hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

Willing to develop and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of information technologies within the framework Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of Georgia on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Co-operation signed in Tbilisi on 5 October 2005,

Taking into account that Latvia has become a Member State of the European Union,

Taking into account the fact that cooperation in information technologies and cooperation in areas of common interest through the exchange of ideas, information, skills and experience will be of benefit to both Parties,

Considering the need to more fully exploit the capacity of information technologies and the opportunities applications provided by information technologies,

Have agreed on the following:

Article 1

The Parties pursuant to the national legislation of both states and in accordance with regulations of international law shall contribute to the development of relations in their economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation in the field of information technologies and applications provided by information technologies.

Article 2

Cooperation in the field of information technologies shall cover the following areas:

1. development of information and communication systems;

2. development of eGovernment applications;

3. standardization of information technologies systems, products and services;

4. creation of information society services and promotion of cooperation in eCommerce, telemedicine, distance learning systems and in their interoperability;

5. development of secure information technologies infrastructure and interoperable network solutions;

6. promotion of creation of joint ventures in the field of information technologies through projects in both countries or in third countries in accordance with the mutually applicable terms;

7. promotion of information society skills, competences, opportunities for lifelong learning and active usage of information technologies;

8. development of national legislation in the information technologies and applications provided by information technologies area;

9. holding joint seminars, conferences, forums and exhibitions;

10. providing mutual trips by representative teams of both parties for the purpose of exchange of experience;

11. other issues in accordance with mutual agreement.

Article 3

With the purpose of promoting activities in the field of information technologies, increasing cooperation and the adoption of new technologies, the Parties shall encourage the bodies, organizations and enterprises concerned of both countries to cooperate in promoting closer interaction and closer exchange of information regarding information technologies and where possible, to cooperate in carrying out specific programs and projects.

Article 4

The Parties shall provide that specialists from both Parties make joint actions for the purpose of applying experience that the Republic of Latvia and Georgia have gained in the field of promotion and development of information technologies solutions and applications.

Article 5

The authorized bodies responsible for implementation of this Agreement and for coordination of the activities are:

- Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government of the Republic of Latvia on behalf of Republic of Latvia;

- Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia on behalf of Georgia.

Article 6

Working language for mutual activities of both Parties is the English language.

Article 7

Disputes between the Parties concerning the interpretation and implementation of this Agreement shall be settled through negotiations and consultations.

Article 8

The alterations and amendments to this Agreement shall be made by the mutual consent of the Parties in writing. Alterations and amendments shall be executed as separate protocols, which form an integral part of this Agreement and shall enter in force in accordance with the procedure of Article 9 of this Agreement.

This Agreement does not concern rights and obligations from other International Agreements which are signed by the Parties.

Article 9

This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of receipt through diplomatic channels of the last written notification of one Party to the other that legal requirements necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been fulfilled.

This Agreement shall be valid for a period of five years and shall be automatically extended for another period of five years unless either Party informs the other Party in writing of its desire to terminate this Agreement six months before the expiration date of the Agreement. Termination of the Agreement shall not affect the implementation of programs and projects, which have been launched during the period of its validity, unless agreed upon otherwise by the Parties.

Done at Tbilisi on 8 December 2009, in two original copies, each in Latvian, Georgian and English language, all texts being equally authentic.

In case of divergence of interpretation, the text in English shall prevail.