AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE ON CO-OPERATION IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, YOUTH AND SPORT

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as - the Parties),

desiring to strengthen and develop friendly relations between both countries and population thereof,

being confident that co-operation in the field of education, science, youth and sport provides knowledge and promotes mutual understanding among the population of both countries,

recognizing the importance of vocational education and training as a key factor for socio-economic development

have agreed as follows.

Article 1

On the basis of equality and mutual benefit the Parties shall promote and, according to their international obligations and the legislation of countries of the Parties, facilitate and develop co-operation between educational and scientific institutions of both countries, including:

a) information exchange on the system of education and science, on the legislation and implemented reforms in the field of education and science;

b) establishing direct co-operation between institutions of higher education and scientific institutions;

c) co-operation and exchange of academic and scientific staff, experts, specialists and students;

d) organization of joint international conferences, symposiums, forums and seminars on current issues of mutual interest;

e) exchange of scientific publications and information on scientific databases of the Parties in order to ensure commencement and implementation of co-operation;

f) exchange of experience and information in the field of qualification frameworks, professional standards and labour market research.

Article 2

The Parties shall promote the exchange of information on policies, measures, models and methods, as well as encourage dissemination of good practices and experience, and the development of material studies in the flied of vocational education and training in areas of common interests.

Article 3

The Parties shall consider the following co-operation possibilities:

a) partnership maintenance and co-operation in the implementation of programmes and projects of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, programmes, initiatives and projects of the European Union, including the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the Council of Europe, and other international initiatives;

b) co-operation in the introduction of innovations in the field of education and science, in the field of quality assessment of educational and scientific institutions and programmes, including in the introduction of quality assurance within the framework of educational reform;

c) co-operation on the implementation of the European Research Area priorities, extension of participation in science, technology and innovation programmes;

d) co-operation activities for ensuring more efficient use of information and communication technologies in education, research and innovation, including promotion of appropriate skills and multilingualism in the digital environment.

Article 4

The Parties shall co-operate and promote exchange of information on recognition of educational documents, degrees and professional qualifications, obtained in the countries of both Parties, within the Convention on the Recognition of Qualification Concerning Higher Education in the European region of 11 April 1997 (the Lisbon Convention), ENIC-NARIC network and in accordance with the legislation of countries of the Parties.

Article 5

Each year the Parties shall offer each other scholarships for studies and research at the higher education institutions in accordance with the legislation of countries of the Parties:

a) the Latvian Party shall offer scholarships for:

- studies at state recognized higher education institutions;

- research work;

- participation in international summer schools.

b) the Ukrainian Party shall offer up to:

- 10 scholarships for full-time Bachelor and Master level studies;

- 5 scholarships for Doctoral level studies;

- 10 scholarships for full-term studies (semester or year) at Bachelor, Master and Doctoral level;

- 10 scholarships for implementation of scientific research works.

The Parties shall consider a possibility to grant scholarships also to the academic and scientific staff.

Article 6

The Parties shall ensure preservation and development of the Latvian language in Ukraine and the Ukrainian language in Latvia, and provide support to Latvian minority educational institutions with the Latvian study language in Ukraine and to general educational institutions, which implement educational programmes for Ukrainian minorities in Latvia.

The Parties shall promote co-operation and exchange of information in the field of bilingual education.

Article 7

The Parties, guided by the principle of reciprocity, shall encourage and promote co-operation in the field of fundamental and applied research, by ensuring relevant conditions for establishment of contacts and implementation of joint research projects among scientific organizations, higher education institutions, scientists, researchers, experts and students from the countries of the Parties.

Article 8

The Parties shall protect copyright and neighbouring rights in science and ensure protection of the intellectual and material property, created during scientific co-operation, in accordance with the legislation of countries of the Parties, as well as rules of international law.

Article 9

The Parties shall co-operate in the field of youth policy, including:

a) establishment of direct contacts and development of co-operation among institutions and organizations working in the field of youth;

b) organization of exchange visits of youth policy specialists, experts, representatives of state institutions and youth organizations;

c) promotion of exchange of information on youth policy best practices, experience in work with youth, programmes and activities;

d) support the organization of joint events and implementation of youth projects, involving youth workers, representatives of youth organizations and state authorities.

Article 10

The Parties shall promote co-operation in the field of sport to develop healthy lifestyle in all age groups of the population of the Parties, to further the social functions and educational values of sport and to fight such threats for sport as doping, violence and match-fixing.

The co-operation of Parties shall include exchange of information and good practice regarding the implementation of sports policy, organization of study visits in order to deepen the knowledge regarding the situation in the field of sport in the countries of the Parties.

The Parties shall encourage contacts between the national sports organisations of the Parties and co-operate with a view to the activities initiated by international organisations.

Article 11

Any co-operation stipulated in the Agreement shall be done in accordance with the available financial resources.

Article 12

This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent by Parties. Such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 14.

Article 13

Any disputes regarding the interpretation or application of the Agreement, shall be resolved by means of consultations and negotiations between the Parties.

Article 14

This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time and shall enter into force on the day of the receipt of the last written notification through diplomatic channels, by which the Parties inform each other that internal legal procedures necessary for entry into force of the Agreement have been fulfilled.

Each Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other Party. In such case, the Agreement shall expire six (6) months after the receipt of such notice by the other Party.

Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, the termination of the Agreement shall not affect the programmes, projects and activities, already undertaken under the Agreement and not completed at the time of such termination.

Signed at Riga on 29 September 2017 in duplicate, in Latvian, Ukrainian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation of the Agreement, the English text shall prevail.