Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Cooperation in the Field of Education

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, hereinafter "the Parties",

based on principles of equal sovereignty of states and the autonomy of educational systems of the Parties,

desiring to strengthen and develop mutually beneficial relations in education,

attaching great importance to the contribution of cooperation in the field of education to a better understanding between nations,

have agreed on the following:

Article 1

The Parties shall support different forms of cooperation in the field of education based on the principles of mutual respect, interests and partnership.

Article 2

The Parties shall promote the exchange of information, national legislation in force, planned and implemented reforms, and other relevant information on education that is needed to implement successful cooperation between both Parties.

Article 3

The Parties shall encourage direct cooperation between the institutions of general education, vocational education and training, higher education and adult learning, scientific institutions and other relevant stakeholders based on mutual need and interest.

Article 4

The Parties shall agree to continue cooperation in the framework of the European Higher Education Area, programmes and projects of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Union and other international programmes and projects available to the Parties.

Article 5

The Parties shall consider offering to each other scholarships on an annual basis for studies in all study levels (bachelor, master and doctoral degree) in state recognized higher education institutions and study programmes, as well as scholarships for research work at higher education institutions and for participation in international summer schools.

Article 6

The Parties shall cooperate in raising the professional competence of specialists in the education sector and the capacity of academic and research staff and highly-qualified experts.

Article 7

The Parties shall facilitate access to learning the language, culture, literature and history of the other Party.

Article 8

All activities carried out in the framework of this Agreement are subject to available financial resources of the Parties and shall be undertaken in accordance with their national legislation and international obligations.

Article 9

The Parties shall establish a Joint Commission to exchange education and research policies, explore concrete cooperation in the fields of mutual interest and identify cooperation priorities. The meetings shall take place alternatively in the Republic of Latvia and in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Parties shall agree on the place, time and composition of the meetings.

Article 10

This Agreement shall not affect any rights and obligations of the Parties under any other international treaties to which they are parties.

Article 11

Any disputes arising in the course of the implementation and interpretation of this Agreement shall be settled through consultations and negotiations between the Parties.

Article 12

This Agreement may be amended on the basis of mutual consent of the Parties by concluding additional protocols that form an integral part of this Agreement. Such amendments shall enter in force in accordance with the Paragraph 1 of the Article 13 of this Agreement.

Article 13

1. This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. It shall enter into force on the day of the receipt of the last written notification through the diplomatic channels by which the Parties notify each other that the internal procedures for the entry into force of this Agreement are fulfilled.

2. Either Party may, at any time, notify the other Party in written form through diplomatic channels of its intention to terminate this Agreement. The termination shall take effect 6 (six) months after receiving such notification.

3. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the projects or programmes already undertaken under this Agreement and not yet completed at the time of such termination.

Done in Riga on 17 July 2017 in two original copies, each one in Latvian, Azerbaijani and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.