Communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. 99 / 2003 Coll. s.

99

Communication

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that on 12 February 2002 the Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Flemish Government was signed in Prague.

Cooperation Agreement

between

Government of the Czech Republic

and Flemish Government

The Government of the Czech Republic and

Flemish Government ("the Parties'),

building on friendship and cooperation, mutual trust and commitment to the common values of freedom, democracy, justice and solidarity,

taking into account mutual cooperation within the European framework,

led by a mutual interest in expanding and deepening cooperation between the Czech Republic, of the one part, and the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region (Flanders), of the other part,

they have agreed as follows:

The Parties shall strengthen and expand cooperation and promote cooperation between institutions, organisations and companies in their respective fields of competence, in particular in:

(a) holdings;

(b) agriculture;

(c) transport;

(d) science and research;

(e) technique,

(f) education,

(g) vocational training and preparation for employment;

(h) culture and protection of cultural monuments;

(i) the media,

(j) social policy;

(k) employment policy;

(l) housing policy and infrastructure;

(m) health care;

(n) the environment,

(o) youth and sport,

(p) tourism;

(q) public administration.

1) In the context of mutual economic cooperation, the Parties shall pay particular attention to the following areas:

(a) restructuring the economy;

(b) developing structures for SMEs;

(c) creating favourable conditions for investment and setting up joint ventures;

(d) promoting the transfer of technologies, in particular environmental and know-how;

(e) promoting the expansion of trade and the development of trade contacts;

(f) sectoral programmes;

(g) training programmes;

(h) regional economic development;

(i) cooperation under European programmes.

(2) The cooperation referred to in paragraph 1 shall take place in particular by exchanges of experts and by exchange of experience and information relating to the regulation of the various areas of economic cooperation.

The Parties shall promote the development of cooperation and exchanges at all levels of education and lifelong learning.

The Parties shall promote cooperation and exchange of research and development information and experience between the relevant higher education institutions and research institutes.

1) The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of culture and art with particular emphasis on the recognition of culture and language of the other Party.

2) The Parties shall promote cooperation and exchanges in the audiovisual field.

1) The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of tourism.

2) The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of sport.

3) The Parties shall promote cooperation on youth exchanges.

(4) The Parties shall promote the exchange of experts, experience and information in the areas referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article.

1) The Parties shall, within their respective competences, cooperate in the field of social policy with particular regard to employment policy, training, work and employment relations.

2) The Parties shall cooperate in the field of social protection with a particular focus on social care, social services and the integration of disabled persons and in the field of health, with a particular focus on prevention and health services.

3) The cooperation referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall take place in particular by exchanging information, experience and professional publications and by organising traineeships for professionals.

The Parties shall develop environmental cooperation, environmental planning, and the exchange of experts and scientific and technical information and materials in this field.

The Parties shall promote the development of cooperation on housing, municipal policy, infrastructure and transport. The Parties shall promote the exchange of experts, information and materials in these areas.

The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of agriculture and rural development. To this end, the Parties shall promote the exchange of experts, experience and information, in particular within the framework of European programmes.

The Parties shall promote direct cooperation and partnership between cities and municipalities in the Czech Republic and Flemish cities and municipalities.

In the areas covered by this Agreement, the Parties will also cooperate within the framework of international organisations' programmes.

The Agreement entered into force on 29 May 2003 pursuant to Article 15 (2) thereof.

The English version of the Agreement and the English version, which are relevant for its interpretation, shall be published simultaneously.

1) In order to implement this Agreement, the Parties shall establish a Joint Committee, the Czech Republic - Flanders (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Committee), composed of representatives of the authorities involved in the implementation of the cooperation under this Agreement.

2) The meetings of the Joint Committee shall take place at least once every two years, alternately in Prague and Brussels. The Joint Committee shall be chaired alternately by ministers appointed by each of the Parties or their representatives.

3) The Joint Committee may set up working groups which may meet between its meetings to evaluate the implementation of specific cooperation programmes.

4) The Joint Committee shall in particular:

(a) monitoring the implementation of cooperation developed under this Agreement and evaluating its results;

(b) drawing up implementing cooperation programmes for specified periods of time, usually two years; the conditions for the entry into force of such implementing programmes shall be the appropriate consultation and approval established by each Party; the Parties shall inform each other of the approval of the implementation cooperation programmes;

(c) addressing issues relating to the interpretation and implementation of this Agreement.

1) This Agreement shall be negotiated for an indefinite period. Each Party may terminate it at any time by denunciation. In such a case, the Agreement shall expire six months after the date of notification to the other Party.

(2) In the event that this Agreement is terminated, both Parties shall take the necessary steps to ensure the completion of joint projects initiated under this Agreement.

1) This Agreement shall be subject to approval in accordance with the national legislation of both Parties, which the Parties shall notify each other in writing.

2. The Agreement shall enter into force on the date of service to the other Party at a later date of such notification.

Dane in Prague on 12 February 2002, in two original copies, each in Czech, Dutch and English, all three texts being equally authentic. In the event of differences in the interpretation of the Agreement, the English language version shall be decisive.

For the Government

Czech Republic

Jan Kavan v. r.

Deputy Prime Minister

and Minister for Foreign Affairs

For the Flemish Government

Paul van Grembergen v. r.

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the negotiation of the Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Flemish Government

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