Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam
U K A Z
o razglasitvi Zakona o ratifikaciji Okvirnega sporazuma o obsežnem partnerstvu in sodelovanju med Evropsko unijo in njenimi državami članicami na eni strani ter Socialistično republiko Vietnam na drugi strani (MOPSEUVN)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Okvirnega sporazuma o obsežnem partnerstvu in sodelovanju med Evropsko unijo in njenimi državami članicami na eni strani ter Socialistično republiko Vietnam na drugi strani (MOPSEUVN), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji dne 3. marca 2015.
Št. 003-02-2/2015-10
Ljubljana, dne 11. marca 2015
Borut Pahor l.r.
Predsednik
Republike Slovenije
Z A K O N
O RATIFIKACIJI OKVIRNEGA SPORAZUMA O OBSEŽNEM PARTNERSTVU IN SODELOVANJU MED EVROPSKO UNIJO IN NJENIMI DRŽAVAMI ČLANICAMI NA ENI STRANI TER SOCIALISTIČNO REPUBLIKO VIETNAM NA DRUGI STRANI (MOPSEUVN)
1. člen
Ratificira se Okvirni sporazum o obsežnem partnerstvu in sodelovanju med Evropsko unijo in njenimi državami članicami na eni strani ter Socialistično republiko Vietnam na drugi strani, podpisan v Bruslju 27. junija 2012.
2. člen
Besedilo sporazuma se v izvirniku v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi(*):
O K V I R N I S P O R A Z U M
O OBSEŽNEM PARTNERSTVU IN SODELOVANJU MED EVROPSKO UNIJO IN NJENIMI DRŽAVAMI ČLANICAMI NA ENI STRANI TER SOCIALISTIČNO REPUBLIKO VIETNAM NA DRUGI STRANI
EVROPSKA UNIJA
(v nadaljnjem besedilu: Unija)
in
KRALJEVINA BELGIJA,
REPUBLIKA BOLGARIJA,
ČEŠKA REPUBLIKA,
KRALJEVINA DANSKA,
ZVEZNA REPUBLIKA NEMČIJA,
REPUBLIKA ESTONIJA,
IRSKA,
HELENSKA REPUBLIKA,
KRALJEVINA ŠPANIJA,
FRANCOSKA REPUBLIKA,
ITALIJANSKA REPUBLIKA,
REPUBLIKA CIPER,
REPUBLIKA LATVIJA,
REPUBLIKA LITVA,
VELIKO VOJVODSTVO LUKSEMBURG,
REPUBLIKA MADŽARSKA,
MALTA,
KRALJEVINA NIZOZEMSKA,
REPUBLIKA AVSTRIJA,
REPUBLIKA POLJSKA,
PORTUGALSKA REPUBLIKA,
ROMUNIJA,
REPUBLIKA SLOVENIJA,
SLOVAŠKA REPUBLIKA,
REPUBLIKA FINSKA,
KRALJEVINA ŠVEDSKA,
ZDRUŽENO KRALJESTVO VELIKA BRITANIJA IN SEVERNA IRSKA,
pogodbenice Pogodbe o Evropski uniji in Pogodbe o delovanju Evropske unije (v nadaljnjem besedilu: države članice),
na eni strani ter
SOCIALISTIČNA REPUBLIKA VIETNAM (v nadaljnjem besedilu Vietnam)
na drugi strani
(v nadaljnjem besedilu: pogodbenici) –
OB UPOŠTEVANJU tradicionalnih prijateljskih vezi med pogodbenicama ter tesnih zgodovinskih, političnih in gospodarskih povezav med njima,
KER pogodbenici namenjata poseben pomen celovitemu značaju medsebojnih odnosov, kar je med drugim razvidno iz vietnamskega »Generalnega načrta za odnose med Vietnamom in Evropsko unijo do leta 2010 ter smernic do leta 2015« iz leta 2005 ter na tej podlagi opravljenih razprav med pogodbenicama,
KER pogodbenici menita, da je ta sporazum del širšega in skladnega odnosa med njima, ki se gradi prek sporazumov, katerih pogodbenici sta obe strani skupaj,
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI zavezanosti splošnim načelom mednarodnega prava, namenu in načelom Ustanovne listine Združenih narodov ter spoštovanju demokratičnih načel in človekovih pravic,
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI spoštovanja neodvisnosti, suverenosti, ozemeljske celovitosti in nacionalne enotnosti Socialistične republike Vietnam,
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI zavezanosti načelom dobrega upravljanja in boju proti korupciji,
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI njune želje po spodbujanju gospodarskega in družbenega napredka njunih narodov, ob upoštevanju načela trajnostnega razvoja in zahtev varstva okolja,
OB UPOŠTEVANJU dejstva, da je Mednarodno kazensko sodišče pomembno za razvoj miru in mednarodne pravice, njegov cilj pa je učinkovito preganjanje najhujših kaznivih dejanj, ki zadevajo mednarodno skupnost,
KER se pogodbenici strinjata, da širjenje orožja za množično uničevanje zelo ogroža mednarodno varnost, ter želita okrepiti njun dialog in sodelovanje na tem področju. Soglasno sprejetje Resolucije Varnostnega sveta Združenih narodov (VS ZN) 1540 je temelj zavezanosti celotne mednarodne skupnosti boju proti širjenju orožja za množično uničevanje,
OB PRIZNAVANJU potrebe po krepitvi razorožitve ter zavez na podlagi mednarodnih obveznosti glede neširjenja orožja za množično uničevanje, ki veljajo za pogodbenici,
OB POUDARJANJU njune polne zavezanosti boju proti vsem oblikam terorizma v skladu z mednarodnim pravom, vključno s pravom človekovih pravic in humanitarnim pravom, in oblikovanju učinkovitega mednarodnega sodelovanja ter instrumentov, namenjenih njihovemu izkoreninjenju, pri čemer se sklicuje na ustrezne resolucije VS ZN,
OB PRIZNAVANJU pomembne vloge Sporazuma o sodelovanju z dne 7. marca 1980 med Evropsko gospodarsko skupnostjo ter Indonezijo, Malezijo, Filipini, Singapurjem in Tajsko – državami članicami Združenja držav jugovzhodne Azije (ASEAN) – ki se je leta 1999 razširil še na Vietnam, ter Sporazuma o sodelovanju med Evropsko skupnostjo in Socialistično republiko Vietnam z dne 17. julija 1995,
OB PRIZNAVANJU pomembne vloge krepitve obstoječih odnosov med pogodbenicama, da bi povečali medsebojno sodelovanje, ter njune skupne volje za krepitev, poglobitev in razvejanje njunih odnosov na področjih skupnega interesa na podlagi suverenosti, enakosti, nediskriminacije, spoštovanja naravnega okolja in vzajemne koristi,
OB PRIZNAVANJU statusa Vietnama kot države v razvoju in ob upoštevanju ustrezne stopnje razvoja pogodbenic,
OB PRIZNAVANJU velikega pomena razvojnega sodelovanja za države v razvoju, zlasti za države v razvoju z nizkimi in z nižjimi srednjimi dohodki, za njihovo trajno gospodarsko rast, trajni razvoj ter pravočasno in celovito izvedbo mednarodno dogovorjenih razvojnih ciljev, vključno z razvojnimi cilji tisočletja Združenih narodov,
OB PRIZNAVANJU napredka Vietnama pri doseganju razvojnih ciljev tisočletja, izvajanju lastne strategije za socialnoekonomski razvoj in doseganju trenutne razvojne stopnje kot država v razvoju z nizkimi dohodki,
KER pogodbenici poseben pomen pripisujeta načelom in pravilom, ki urejajo mednarodno trgovino in jih vsebuje Sporazum o ustanovitvi Svetovne trgovinske organizacije (STO), ter potrebi po pregledni in nediskriminatorni uporabi teh načel in pravil,
OB PRIZNAVANJU dejstva, da ima trgovina pri razvoju bistveno vlogo, pomembni pa so tudi trgovinski preferencialni programi,
OB POUDARJANJU njune celovite zavezanosti k spodbujanju trajnostnega razvoja v vseh njegovih razsežnostih, vključno z varstvom okolja in učinkovitim sodelovanjem pri boju proti podnebnim spremembam ter učinkovitim spodbujanjem in izvajanjem mednarodno priznanih standardov dela, ki sta jih pogodbenici ratificirali,
OB POUDARJANJU pomembnosti sodelovanja na področju migracij,
OB POTRDITVI njune želje po krepitvi sodelovanja med pogodbenicama, ki temelji na skupnih vrednotah in vzajemni koristi ter je v celoti v skladu z dejavnostmi iz regionalnega okvira,
OB UGOTAVLJANJU, da so določbe tega sporazuma, ki spadajo v okvir naslova V, tretjega dela Pogodbe o delovanju Evropske unije, zavezujoče za Združeno kraljestvo in Irsko kot ločeni pogodbenici ali kot del Evropske unije v skladu s Protokolom (št. 21) o stališču Združenega kraljestva in Irske glede območja svobode, varnosti in pravice, ki je priložen k Pogodbi o Evropski uniji in Pogodbi o delovanju Evropske unije. Enako velja za Dansko v skladu s Protokolom (št. 22) o stališču Danske, ki je priložen k tema pogodbama –
SO SE DOGOVORILI:
NASLOV 1
NARAVA IN PODROČJE UPORABE
ČLEN 1
Splošna načela
1. Pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo zavezanost splošnim načelom mednarodnega prava, kakor so bili opredeljeni v namenu in načelih Ustanovne listine Združenih narodov, ponovno potrjeni v Deklaraciji Generalne skupščine ZN o načelih mednarodnega prava, ki se nanašajo na prijateljske odnose in sodelovanje med državami v skladu z Ustanovno listino Združenih narodov, z dne 24. oktobra 1970, in navedeni v drugih ustreznih mednarodnih pogodbah, ki med drugim poudarjajo pravno državo in načelo pacta sunt servanda; ter spoštovanju demokratičnih načel in človekovih pravic, kot so določeni v Splošni deklaraciji o človekovih pravicah Generalne skupščine ZN in drugih ustreznih mednarodnih instrumentih o človekovih pravicah, h katerim sta pristopili pogodbenici, poleg tega pa so ta načela in človekove pravice temelj notranjih in mednarodnih politik obeh pogodbenic ter pomenijo bistven element tega sporazuma.
2. Pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo zavezanost nadaljnjemu sodelovanju pri celotni izpolnitvi mednarodno dogovorjenih razvojnih ciljev, vključno z razvojnimi cilji tisočletja, kar bosta dosegli z izpolnjevanjem obstoječih medsebojnih mednarodnih obveznosti, ki veljajo za pogodbenici. To je bistveni element tega sporazuma. Pogodbenici tudi potrjujeta svoje zaveze v zvezi z Evropskim soglasjem o razvoju iz leta 2005, Pariško deklaracijo o učinkovitosti pomoči, dogovorjeno na Forumu na visoki ravni o učinkovitosti pomoči leta 2005, Agendo za ukrepanje iz Akre, dogovorjeno na tretjem forumu na visoki ravni o učinkovitosti pomoči, Hanojsko izjavo o učinkovitosti pomoči, dogovorjeno leta 2006 z namenom nadalje izboljšati razvojno sodelovanje, vključno z napredkom glede odpravljanja pogojev pri zagotavljanju pomoči ter doseganju predvidljivejših mehanizmov pomoči.
3. Pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo zavezanost spodbujanju trajnostnega razvoja v vseh njegovih razsežnostih, sodelovanju pri obravnavi izzivov podnebnih sprememb in globalizacije ter prispevanju k uresničevanju mednarodno dogovorjenih razvojnih ciljev, vključno z razvojnimi cilji tisočletja.
4. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da se bodo pri izvajanju vseh dejavnosti sodelovanja v okviru tega sporazuma upoštevale razvojna stopnja, potrebe in zmogljivosti vsake od njiju.
5. Pogodbenici potrjujeta, da je trgovina znatnega pomena za razvoj in da trgovinski preferencialni programi pomagajo spodbujati razvoj držav v razvoju, vključno z Vietnamom.
6. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bo sodelovanje v okviru tega sporazuma potekalo v skladu z njuno nacionalno zakonodajo, pravili in predpisi.
ČLEN 2
Cilji sodelovanja
Z namenom krepitve dvostranskih odnosov se pogodbenici zavežeta, da bosta vzdrževali celovit dialog in spodbujali nadaljnje medsebojno sodelovanje na vseh področjih vzajemnega interesa. Njuna prizadevanja bodo usmerjena zlasti v:
(a) vzpostavitev dvostranskega sodelovanja ter sodelovanja na vseh pomembnih regionalnih in mednarodnih forumih in organizacijah;
(b) razvoj trgovine in naložb med pogodbenicama v njuno vzajemno korist;
(c) vzpostavitev sodelovanja na vseh področjih vzajemnega interesa, povezanih s trgovino in naložbami, za pospešitev trajnih trgovinskih in naložbenih tokov ter preprečitev in odpravo trgovinskih in naložbenih ovir na dosleden in dopolnjujoč način v zvezi s tekočimi in prihodnjimi regionalnimi pobudami EU-ASEAN;
(d) razvojno sodelovanje, in sicer z namenom izkoreninjenja revščine, spodbujanja trajnostnega razvoja, boja proti prihajajočim izzivom, kot so podnebne spremembe in nalezljive bolezni, poglabljanja gospodarskih reform in vključevanja v svetovno gospodarstvo;
(e) vzpostavitev sodelovanja na področju pravosodja in varnosti, vključno s pravno državo in pravnim sodelovanjem, varstva podatkov, migracij, boja proti organiziranemu kriminalu, pranju denarja ter prepovedanim drogam;
(f) spodbujanje sodelovanja na vseh drugih področjih vzajemnega interesa, vključno s človekovimi pravicami; ekonomsko politiko; finančnimi storitvami; obdavčenjem; industrijsko politiko ter malimi in srednjimi podjetji; informacijskimi in komunikacijskimi tehnologijami; znanostjo in tehnologijo; energetiko; prometom; urbanističnim in regionalnim načrtovanjem in razvojem; turizmom; izobraževanjem in usposabljanjem; kulturo; podnebnimi spremembami; okoljem in naravnimi viri; kmetijstvom, gozdarstvom, rejo živali, ribištvom in razvojem podeželja; zdravstvom; statistiko; delom, zaposlovanjem in socialnimi zadevami; reformo javne uprave; združenji in nevladnimi organizacijami (NVO); preprečevanjem in ublažitvijo naravnih nesreč; enakostjo spolov;
(g) krepitev obstoječih programov sodelovanja in spodbujanje vključevanja obeh pogodbenic v podregionalne in regionalne programe sodelovanja, odprte za sodelovanje druge pogodbenice;
(h) vzpostavitev sodelovanja pri preprečevanju širjenja orožja za množično uničevanje in njegovih nosilcev; boj proti vsem vidikom nezakonitega trgovanja z osebnim in lahkim orožjem; odstranitev ostankov vojne;
(i) vzpostavitev sodelovanja v boju proti terorizmu;
(j) povečanje vloge in prepoznavnosti pogodbenic v njunih regijah z različnimi sredstvi, vključno s kulturnimi izmenjavami, uporabo informacijske tehnologije in izobraževanjem;
(k) spodbujanje medosebnega razumevanja, med drugim s sodelovanjem subjektov, kot so možganski trusti, akademiki, podjetja in mediji, v obliki seminarjev, konferenc, mladinskega sodelovanja in drugih dejavnosti.
ČLEN 3
Sodelovanje v regionalnih in mednarodnih organizacijah
1. Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da si bosta izmenjevali mnenja in sodelovali v regionalnih in mednarodnih forumih in organizacijah, vključno v okviru Združenih narodov ter njihovih agencij in organizacij, dialoga ASEAN-EU, regionalnega foruma ASEAN (ARF), azijsko-evropskega srečanja (ASEM) in Svetovne trgovinske organizacije (STO).
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata tudi, da bosta spodbujali sodelovanje na teh področjih med možganskimi trusti, akademiki, NVO, podjetji in mediji, in sicer z organizacijo seminarjev, konferenc in drugih povezanih dejavnosti, pod pogojem, da takšno sodelovanje temelji na medsebojnem soglasju.
ČLEN 4
Dvostransko in regionalno sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta na vsakem področju dialoga in sodelovanja v okviru tega sporazuma in ob ustreznem poudarku na zadevah dvostranskega sodelovanja povezane dejavnosti izvajali na dvostranski ali regionalni ravni ali s kombinacijo obeh okvirov. Pri izbiri ustreznega okvira si bosta pogodbenici prizadevali, da se kar najbolje izkoristi učinek in okrepi sodelovanje vseh zainteresiranih strani, hkrati pa bosta zagotavljali najboljšo možno uporabo razpoložljivih sredstev ob upoštevanju politične in institucionalne izvedljivosti ter zagotavljanju skladnosti z drugimi dejavnostmi, ki vključujejo Unijo in ASEAN. V sodelovanje sta lahko po potrebi vključena tudi podpora za povezovanje in razvoj skupnosti ASEAN.
2. Pogodbenici se lahko po potrebi odločita, da v skladu s svojimi finančnimi postopki in viri razširita finančno podporo na dejavnosti sodelovanja na področjih, ki jih obravnava sporazum ali ki so povezana z njim. To sodelovanje lahko zlasti podpira izvajanje socialnoekonomskih reform v Vietnamu in lahko vključuje ukrepe gradnje zmogljivosti, kot so organizacija izobraževalnih programov, delavnic in seminarjev, izmenjave strokovnjakov, študije in druge dejavnosti, o katerih se dogovorita pogodbenici v skladu s strategijami donatorjev, ki se nanašajo na razvojno pomoč.
NASLOV II
RAZVOJNO SODELOVANJE
ČLEN 5
Splošna načela
1. Glavni cilji razvojnega sodelovanja so dosega razvojnih ciljev tisočletja ter izkoreninjenje revščine, doseganje trajnostnega razvoja in vključevanje v svetovno gospodarstvo. Cilji razvojnega sodelovanja upoštevajo socialnoekonomske razvojne strategije in programe Vietnama. Pogodbenici priznavata, da je razvojno sodelovanje med njima ključnega pomena za reševanje razvojnih izzivov v Vietnamu.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta spodbujali dejavnosti sodelovanja v skladu s svojimi postopki in viri.
ČLEN 6
Cilji sodelovanja
Cilji strategij pogodbenic za razvojno sodelovanje so med drugim:
(a) doseganje trajne gospodarske rasti;
(b) spodbujanje človekovega in socialnega razvoja;
(c) spodbujanje reform institucij in njihovega razvoja;
(d) spodbujanje okoljske trajnosti, regeneracije in najboljših praks ter ohranjanje naravnih virov;
(e) preprečevanje in obvladovanje posledic podnebnih sprememb;
(f) podpiranje politik in instrumentov, katerih cilj je postopno vključevanje v svetovno gospodarstvo in trgovino.
ČLEN 7
Oblike sodelovanja
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta na vsakem področju sodelovanja v okviru tega naslova dejavnosti izvajali na dvostranski ali regionalni ravni ali s kombinacijo obeh, vključno s tristranskim sodelovanjem.
2. Oblike sodelovanja med pogodbenicama lahko vključujejo:
(a) razvojno in tehnično pomoč za programe in projekte, o katerih sta se dogovorili pogodbenici;
(b) gradnjo zmogljivosti preko tečajev usposabljanja, delavnic in seminarjev, izmenjave strokovnjakov, študij ter skupnih raziskav pogodbenic;
(c) po potrebi proučitev drugih oblik razvojnega financiranja;
(d) izmenjavo informacij o najboljših praksah glede učinkovitosti pomoči.
NASLOV III
MIR IN VARNOST
ČLEN 8
Preprečevanje širjenja orožja za množično uničevanje in njegovih nosilcev
1. Pogodbenici menita, da je širjenje orožja za množično uničevanje in njegovih nosilcev, in sicer tako vladnim kot nevladnim akterjem, ena najresnejših groženj mednarodni stabilnosti in varnosti, po drugi strani pa ponovno potrjujeta zakonite pravice pogodbenic do raziskav, razvoja, uporabe, trgovanja in prenosa v zvezi z biološko, kemično in jedrsko tehnologijo in s tem povezanih materialov v miroljubne namene v skladu s pogodbami in konvencijami, h katerim sta pristopili. Pogodbenici se zato strinjata, da bosta sodelovali in prispevali k preprečevanju širjenja orožja za množično uničevanje in njegovih nosilcev ob celotnem upoštevanju in nacionalnem izvajanju svojih obstoječih obveznosti v skladu z mednarodnimi pogodbami in sporazumi o razoroževanju in neširjenju orožja ter ustreznimi mednarodnimi obveznostmi, ki veljajo za pogodbenici. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da je ta določba bistven element Sporazuma.
2. Pogodbenici se nadalje strinjata, da bosta sodelovali in prispevali k preprečevanju širjenja orožja za množično uničevanje in njegovih nosilcev, tako da bosta:
(a) po potrebi sprejeli ukrepe za podpis, ratifikacijo ali pristop k vsem drugim ustreznim mednarodnim pogodbam in sporazumom ter v celoti izpolnjevali svoje obveznosti;
(b) ob upoštevanju zmogljivosti vsake od pogodbenic vzpostavili učinkovit sistem za nadzor nacionalnega izvoza, s katerim se nadzorujeta izvoz in tranzit blaga, povezanega z orožjem za množično uničevanje, vključno z nadzorom končne uporabe tehnologij z dvojno rabo za izdelavo orožja za množično uničevanje, ki bo določal učinkovite sankcije za kršitve nadzora izvoza v skladu z Resolucijo VS ZN 1540, ne da bi vplival na običajen in zakonit potek uvoza in izvoza ter finančnih transakcij. To lahko vključuje zagotavljanje pomoči, vključno z gradnjo zmogljivosti.
3. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta vzdrževali stalen politični dialog, ki bo spremljal in krepil te elemente.
ČLEN 9
Sodelovanje pri boju proti vsem vidikom nezakonitega trgovanja z osebnim in lahkim orožjem
1. Pogodbenici priznavata, da vsi vidiki nezakonite proizvodnje, prenosa in dajanja v obtok osebnega in lahkega orožja, vključno s prekomernim kopičenjem in nenadzorovanim razširjanjem še naprej resno ogrožajo mir in mednarodno varnost, po drugi strani pa ponovno potrjujeta svoje zakonite pravice do proizvodnje, uvoza in posedovanja osebnega in lahkega orožja zaradi samoobrambe in varnosti. Pogodbenici se s tem v zvezi sklicujeta na ustrezne dele resolucij Generalne skupščine ZN 64/50 in 64/51.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta upoštevali in v celoti izvajali svoje obveznosti v zvezi z obravnavanjem vseh vidikov nezakonitega trgovanja z osebnim in lahkim orožjem v skladu z veljavnimi mednarodnimi sporazumi, h katerim sta pogodbenici pristopili, in resolucijami Varnostnega sveta ZN ter svoje zaveze v okviru drugih ustreznih mednarodnih instrumentov, ki se uporabljajo na tem področju, kot je akcijski program ZN za preprečevanje vseh vidikov nezakonitega trgovanja z osebnim in lahkim orožjem, boj proti njemu in njegovo izkoreninjenje.
3. Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da bosta po potrebi vzpostavili dialog, da bi izmenjevali stališča in informacije ter razvili enotno razumevanje vprašanj in težav, povezanih z nezakonitim trgovanjem z osebnim in lahkim orožjem, ter krepili svojo sposobnost za preprečevanje takšnega trgovanja, boj proti njemu in njegovo izkoreninjenje.
ČLEN 10
Sodelovanje pri boju proti terorizmu
Pogodbenici ponovno potrjujeta pomen boja proti terorizmu ob polnem upoštevanju prava, vključno z Ustanovno listino ZN, pravom človekovih pravic, begunskim pravom in mednarodnim humanitarnim pravom. V tem okviru in v skladu z Globalno strategijo ZN za boj proti terorizmu, ki je vključena v Resolucijo Generalne skupščine ZN 60/288 ter v Skupno deklaracijo EU-ASEAN z dne 28. januarja 2003 o sodelovanju v boju proti terorizmu, se pogodbenici strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje pri preprečevanju in onemogočanju terorizma.
Pogodbenici to storita predvsem:
(a) v okviru polnega izvajanja Resolucije VS ZN 1373 in drugih ustreznih resolucij ZN ter s sprejetjem ukrepov za ratifikacijo in celovito izvajanje mednarodnih konvencij in instrumentov glede boja proti terorizmu in njegovega preprečevanja;
(b) z rednimi posvetovanji o sodelovanju pri boju proti terorizmu in njegovem preprečevanju v okviru Skupnega odbora;
(c) z izmenjavo informacij o terorističnih skupinah in njihovih podpornih mrežah v skladu z mednarodnim in nacionalnim pravom ter z zagotavljanjem podpore za gradnjo zmogljivosti pri boju proti terorizmu in njegovem preprečevanju v okviru programov in instrumentov pogodbenic;
(d) z izmenjavo stališč o sredstvih in načinih boja proti terorizmu in spodbujanja k terorističnim dejanjem, vključno s tehničnimi področji in usposabljanjem, ter z izmenjavo izkušenj pri preprečevanju terorizma;
(e) s sodelovanjem, ki bo utrdilo mednarodno soglasje o boju proti terorizmu in njegov normativni okvir, ter s prizadevanjem za čim prejšnji dogovor o celoviti konvenciji o mednarodnem terorizmu, ki bo dopolnila veljavne instrumente ZN za boj proti terorizmu;
(f) s spodbujanjem sodelovanja med državami članicami ZN, da bi učinkovito izvajale Globalno strategijo ZN za boj proti terorizmu;
(g) z izmenjavo najboljših praks na področju varstva človekovih pravic v boju proti terorizmu.
ČLEN 11
Pravno sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali v pravnih zadevah, krepitvi pravne države in institucij na vseh ravneh na področjih delovanja pravosodja in kazenskega pregona.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali pri krepitvi sodne usposobljenosti in pravnega sistema na področjih, kot so civilno pravo, civilno procesno pravo, kazensko pravo in kazensko procesno pravo, ter si izmenjevali podatke, ki se nanašajo na pravne sisteme in zakonodajo.
3. Pogodbenici se strinjata tudi, da bosta sodelovali na področju mednarodnega kazenskega pravosodja. Pogodbenici menita, da najhujša kazniva dejanja, ki zadevajo mednarodno skupnost, ne smejo ostati nekaznovana in da je treba njihov učinkovit pregon zagotoviti z ustreznimi ukrepi, sprejetimi na ustrezni ravni.
4. Pogodbenici menita, da je Mednarodno kazensko sodišče napredna in neodvisna institucija, katere cilj je doseganje mednarodnega miru in pravice. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali z namenom krepitve pravnega okvira, namenjenega preprečevanju in kaznovanju najhujših kaznivih dejanj, ki zadevajo mednarodno skupnost, ter proučili možnost pristopa k Rimskemu statutu. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bi bila dialog in sodelovanje o tej zadevi koristna.
NASLOV IV
SODELOVANJE NA PODROČJU TRGOVINE IN NALOŽB
ČLEN 12
Splošna načela
1. Pogodbenici z dialogom o dvostranskih in večstranskih trgovinskih ter s trgovino povezanih vprašanjih krepita dvostranske trgovinske odnose in spodbujata večstranski trgovinski sistem.
2. Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da bosta spodbujali razvoj in razvejanost medsebojne trgovinske menjave na najvišji možni ravni in v njuno vzajemno korist. Zavezujeta se, da bosta z delovanjem v smeri odprave ovir v trgovini dosegli, da bodo pogoji za dostop na trg boljši in predvidljivejši, zlasti s pravočasno odpravo netarifnih ovir in trgovinskih omejitev ter s sprejetjem ukrepov za izboljšanje preglednosti, ob upoštevanju dela, ki ga na tem področju opravljajo mednarodne organizacije, katerih članici sta obe pogodbenici.
3. Ob zavedanju, da ima trgovina ključno vlogo pri razvoju ter da so se preferencialne trgovinske sheme, vključno s splošnim sistemom preferencialov, ter posebna in diferencirana obravnava, kakor jo opredeljuje STO, izkazale za koristne državam v razvoju, si pogodbenici prizadevata okrepiti posvetovanja glede njihovega učinkovitega izvajanja.
4. Pogodbenici pri izvajanju tega naslova upoštevata svojo stopnjo razvitosti.
5. Pogodbenici se medsebojno obveščata o razvoju trgovinskih in s trgovino povezanih politik, kot so kmetijska politika, politika o varnosti hrane, potrošniška ter okoljska politika.
6. Pogodbenici spodbujata dialog in sodelovanje, da bi razvili njune trgovinske in naložbene odnose, vključno z reševanjem trgovinskih težav, zagotavljanjem tehnične pomoči in programi gradnje zmogljivosti, da bi se reševala trgovinska vprašanja, med drugim na področjih, ki so navedena v okviru tega naslova.
7. Da bi razvili svoje potenciale in izkoristili svoje dopolnjevanje na gospodarskem področju, pogodbenici proučujeta in iščeta več priložnosti in rešitev, da bi okrepili svoje trgovinske in naložbene odnose, vključno po potrebi s pogajanji o prostotrgovinskih in drugih sporazumih, pri katerih obstaja vzajemni interes.
ČLEN 13
Razvoj trgovine
1. Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da bosta razvijali, razvejali in povečevali medsebojno trgovino ter izboljšali konkurenčnost svojih proizvodov na domačih, regionalnih in mednarodnih trgih. V ta namen si pogodbenici v medsebojnem sodelovanju zlasti prizadevata za krepitev gradnje zmogljivosti na področjih, kot so strategije razvoja trgovine, optimizacija potencialov za trgovino, vključno z ugodnostmi v okviru splošnega sistema preferencialov, konkurenčnost, spodbujanje prenosa tehnologij med podjetji, preglednost politik, zakoni in drugi predpisi, podatki o trgih, institucionalni razvoj ter regionalno povezovanje v mreže.
2. Pogodbenici v celoti izkoriščata pomoč trgovini in druge dodatne programe pomoči, da bi okrepili medsebojno trgovino in naložbe.
ČLEN 14
Sanitarna in fitosanitarna vprašanja ter vprašanja dobrega počutja živali
1. Pogodbenici ponovno potrjujeta svoje obstoječe pravice in obveznosti v okviru Sporazuma STO o sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih ukrepih.
2. Pogodbenici krepita sodelovanje in izmenjujeta informacije o zakonodaji in postopkih na področju izvajanja, certificiranja, inšpekcij in nadzora glede sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih zadev pri trgovini med njima v okviru Sporazuma STO o sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih ukrepih, Mednarodne konvencije o varstvu rastlin (IPPC), Office International des Épizooties (OIE) ter Codex Alimentarius.
3. Pogodbenici se nadalje strinjata, da bosta sodelovali v zadevah na področju sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih ukrepov in spodbujali medsebojno sodelovanje na tem področju, in sicer prek gradnje zmogljivosti in tehnične pomoči, ki je prilagojena potrebam posamezne pogodbenice in jima pomaga, da upoštevata pravni okvir druga druge, vključno z varnostjo hrane, zdravja rastlin in živali ter uporabo mednarodnih standardov.
4. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta po potrebi sodelovali glede vprašanj dobrega počutja živali, vključno s tehnično pomočjo in gradnjo zmogljivosti za razvoj standardov dobrega počutja živali.
5. Pogodbenici določita kontaktne točke za komunikacijo o vprašanjih iz tega člena.
ČLEN 15
Tehnične ovire v trgovini
1. Pogodbenici spodbujata uporabo mednarodnih standardov ter sodelujeta in si izmenjujeta informacije o standardih, tehničnih predpisih in postopkih ugotavljanja skladnosti, zlasti v okviru Sporazuma STO o tehničnih ovirah v trgovini.
2. Pogodbenici si prizadevata izmenjevati informacije že v zgodnjih fazah oblikovanja nove zakonodaje na področju tehničnih ovir v trgovini. V ta namen pogodbenici spodbujata vse ukrepe, katerih cilj je premoščanje vrzeli med njima pri ugotavljanju skladnosti in standardizaciji ter večje zbliževanje in združljivost med zadevnimi sistemi pogodbenic na tem področju. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da si bosta izmenjevali stališča o certificiranju tretjih strani in proučili možnost njegove uporabe, da bi se pospešili medsebojni trgovinski tokovi.
3. Sodelovanje v zvezi s tehničnimi ovirami v trgovini se med drugim izvaja z dialogom po ustreznih poteh, skupnimi projekti, tehnično pomočjo in programi gradnje zmogljivosti. Pogodbenici po potrebi določita kontaktne točke za komunikacijo o vprašanjih iz tega člena.
ČLEN 16
Sodelovanje v carinskih zadevah in olajševanje trgovine
1. Pogodbenici:
(a) si izmenjujeta izkušnje in najboljše prakse ter proučujeta možnosti za poenostavitev uvoznih, izvoznih in drugih carinskih postopkov;
(b) zagotavljata preglednost carinskih predpisov in predpisov za olajševanje trgovine;
(c) razvijata sodelovanje v carinskih zadevah in učinkovite vzajemne mehanizme upravne pomoči;
(d) si prizadevata za usklajevanje stališč in skupne dejavnosti v okviru ustreznih mednarodnih pobud, ki vključujejo olajševanje trgovine.
2. Pogodbenici bosta posebno pozornost med drugim namenjali:
(a) večji varnosti in zaščiti mednarodne trgovine;
(b) zagotavljanju učinkovitejšega in uspešnejšega uveljavljanja pravic intelektualne lastnine s strani carinskih organov;
(c) zagotavljanju usklajenega pristopa med olajševanjem trgovine ter bojem proti goljufijam in nepravilnostim.
3. Brez poseganja v druge oblike sodelovanja iz tega sporazuma pogodbenici izražata svoj interes, da bosta v prihodnosti proučili možnost sklenitve protokolov o carinskem sodelovanju in vzajemni upravni pomoči v institucionalnem okviru iz tega sporazuma.
4. Pogodbenici si prizadevata uporabljati vire tehnične pomoči, da bi podprli izvajanje sodelovanja v carinskih zadevah in predpisov za olajševanje trgovine v skladu s tem sporazumom.
ČLEN 17
Naložbe
Pogodbenici z razvojem privlačnega in stabilnega okolja za naložbe spodbujata večje naložbene tokove prek stalnega dialoga, namenjenega spodbujanju razumevanja in sodelovanja pri investicijskih vprašanjih, raziskovanju upravnih mehanizmov za olajševanje investicijskih tokov ter spodbujanju stabilnih, preglednih in odprtih pravil ter zagotavljanja enakih pogojev za vlagatelje pogodbenic.
ČLEN 18
Politika konkurence
1. Pogodbenici ohranita zakone in druge predpise o konkurenci ter organe, pristojne za konkurenco. Te zakone uveljavljata na učinkovit, nediskriminatoren in pregleden način, da bi spodbujali pravno varnost na svojih ozemljih.
2. Pogodbenici bosta v ta namen lahko izvajali dejavnosti gradnje zmogljivosti in druge dejavnosti sodelovanja na področju razvoja in izvajanja zakonov in drugih predpisov o konkurenci, pri čemer bosta upoštevali razpoložljivost sredstev v okviru instrumentov in programov sodelovanja pogodbenic.
ČLEN 19
Storitve
Pogodbenici vzpostavita redni dialog, ki bo usmerjen zlasti v izmenjavo informacij o njunih zakonodajnih okoljih, da bi se opredelile najboljše prakse ter da bi se spodbujali medsebojni dostop do trgov, vključno z e-trgovanjem, dostop do kapitalskih in tehnoloških virov ter trgovina in storitve med obema regijama ter na trgih tretjih držav.
ČLEN 20
Varstvo pravic intelektualne lastnine
1. Pogodbenici ponovno potrjujeta, da je varstvo pravic intelektualne lastnine in celovito izvajanje mednarodnih zavez glede varstva pravic intelektualne lastnine velikega pomena, da se zagotovi primerna in učinkovita zaščita teh pravic v skladu z ustreznimi mednarodnimi standardi/sporazumi, kot sta Sporazum o trgovinskih vidikih pravic intelektualne lastnine (TRIPS) in Mednarodna konvencija za varstvo novih rastlinskih sort (UPOV), vključno z učinkovitim izvrševanjem.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta izboljšali sodelovanje glede varstva intelektualne lastnine in izvrševanja, vključno glede ustreznih načinov olajšanja zaščite in registracije geografskih označb druge pogodbenice na svojem ozemlju ob upoštevanju mednarodnih pravil, praks in razvoja na tem področju ter svoje zmogljivosti.
3. Sodelovanje se izvaja v oblikah, o katerih sta se dogovorili pogodbenici, vključno z izmenjavo informacij in izkušenj o zadevah, kot so izvajanje, spodbujanje, razširjanje, racionalizacija, upravljanje, usklajevanje, varstvo, izvrševanje in učinkovito uveljavljanje pravic intelektualne lastnine, preprečevanje zlorab teh pravic ter boj proti ponarejanju in piratstvu, vključno z ustanavljanjem in krepitvijo organizacij za nadzor in zaščito teh pravic.
ČLEN 21
Krepitev sodelovanja gospodarskih akterjev
1. Pogodbenici spodbujata in lajšata delovanje gospodarskih in industrijskih zbornic ter sodelovanje med poklicnimi združenji pogodbenic, da bi spodbudili trgovino in naložbe na področjih, ki so v interesu obeh pogodbenic.
2. Pogodbenici spodbujata dialog med svojimi regulativnimi organi in akterji zasebnega sektorja, da bi razpravljali o nedavnem razvoju trgovinskega in naložbenega okolja, proučili razvojne potrebe zasebnega sektorja in si izmenjali stališča o okvirih politik za krepitev konkurenčnosti podjetij.
ČLEN 22
Posvetovanja
Da se zagotovi varen in predvidljiv dvostranski trgovinski odnos, se pogodbenici strinjata, da se bosta med sabo na zahtevo ene pogodbenice takoj, ko je to mogoče, posvetovali glede kakršnih koli različnih stališč, ki jih lahko zavzameta v zvezi s trgovino ali trgovinskimi zadevami iz tega naslova.
NASLOV V
SODELOVANJE NA PODROČJU PRAVOSODJA
ČLEN 23
Boj proti organiziranemu kriminalu
Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali pri boju proti organiziranemu, gospodarskemu in finančnemu kriminalu ter korupciji. Cilj takega sodelovanja je zlasti izvajanje in spodbujanje ustreznih mednarodnih standardov in instrumentov, kot so Konvencija ZN proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu in njeni dopolnilni protokoli ter Konvencija ZN proti korupciji, če je primerno.
ČLEN 24
Sodelovanje na področju boja proti pranju denarja in financiranju terorizma
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da je treba sodelovati na področju preprečevanja tveganja, da bi bili njuni finančni sistemi zlorabljeni za pranje prihodkov iz kakršnih koli hujših kriminalnih dejavnosti, kakor priporoča Projektna skupina za finančno ukrepanje (FATF).
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta spodbujali usposabljanje in tehnično pomoč, ki sta namenjena razvoju in izvajanju predpisov ter učinkovitemu delovanju mehanizmov za boj proti pranju denarja in financiranju terorizma. Sodelovanje omogoča zlasti izmenjavo ustreznih informacij med pristojnimi organi pogodbenic v okviru njunih zakonodaj na podlagi ustreznih standardov za boj proti pranju denarja in financiranju terorizma, enakovrednih standardom, ki so jih sprejeli pogodbenici in mednarodni organi, dejavni na tem področju, kot je Projektna skupina za finančno ukrepanje (FATF).
ČLEN 25
Sodelovanje v boju proti prepovedanim drogam
1. Pogodbenici sodelujeta, da zagotovita celosten in usklajen pristop z učinkovitim delovanjem in usklajevanjem pristojnih organov, vključno s področij pregona, carine, zdravstva, pravosodja in notranjih zadev ter drugih pomembnih področij, da bi zmanjšali dobavo (vključno s prepovedanim gojenjem maka ter proizvodnjo sintetičnih drog), trgovanje s prepovedanimi drogami in povpraševanje po njih, pa tudi njihov vpliv na uživalce drog in družbo kot celoto, ter da bi dosegli učinkovitejši nadzor nad predhodnimi sestavinami za prepovedane droge.
2. Pogodbenici se dogovorita o načinih sodelovanja za dosego teh ciljev. Ukrepi temeljijo na skupno dogovorjenih načelih v skladu z ustreznimi mednarodnimi konvencijami, katerih pogodbenici sta, s politično deklaracijo in deklaracijo o vodilnih načelih zmanjšanja povpraševanja po drogah ter ukrepih za izboljšanje mednarodnega sodelovanja pri boju proti svetovnemu problemu drog, ki jih je junija 1998 na posebnem 20. zasedanju o drogah sprejela Generalna skupščina ZN, ter politično deklaracijo in akcijskim načrtom, sprejetim na 52. zasedanju Komisije ZN za droge marca 2009.
3. Sodelovanje med pogodbenicama vključuje tehnično in upravno pomoč, zlasti na naslednjih področjih: priprava nacionalne zakonodaje in politik; ustanovitev nacionalnih ustanov ter informacijskih središč in središč za spremljanje; usposabljanje osebja; raziskave v zvezi z drogami; prizadevanje za zmanjšanje povpraševanja po drogah ter škode, ki jo povzročajo; pravosodno in policijsko sodelovanje; ter učinkovit nadzor nad predhodnimi sestavinami za prepovedane droge, ki se uporabljajo za nezakonito proizvodnjo narkotičnih drog in psihotropnih snovi. Pogodbenici se lahko dogovorita o vključitvi drugih področij.
ČLEN 26
Varstvo osebnih podatkov
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta ustrezno sodelovali z namenom izboljšanja ravni varstva osebnih podatkov v skladu z najvišjimi mednarodnimi standardi, kot so standardi, ki jih vsebujejo mednarodni instrumenti, če veljajo za pogodbenici.
2. Sodelovanje pri varstvu osebnih podatkov lahko med drugim vključuje tehnično pomoč v obliki izmenjave informacij ter strokovnega znanja in izkušenj.
NASLOV VI
SOCIALNOEKONOMSKI RAZVOJ IN DRUGA PODROČJA SODELOVANJA
ČLEN 27
Sodelovanje na področju migracij
1. Pogodbenici ponovno potrjujeta pomembno vlogo skupnih prizadevanj pri upravljanju migracijskih tokov med njunima ozemljema. Da bi okrepili sodelovanje, pogodbenici vzpostavita poglobljen dialog o vseh vprašanjih v zvezi z migracijami. Skrbi v zvezi z migracijami se vključijo v nacionalne strategije za ekonomski in socialni razvoj držav izvora migrantov, tranzitnih držav in namembnih držav migrantov.
2. Sodelovanje med pogodbenicama temelji na posebnem ovrednotenju potreb, ki se izvede v vzajemnem posvetovanju med pogodbenicama in se izvaja v skladu z ustrezno veljavno zakonodajo Unije in nacionalno zakonodajo. Sodelovanje bo med drugim usmerjeno v:
(a) obravnavo glavnih vzrokov migracij;
(b) vzpostavitev celostnega dialoga o zakonitih migracijah, na podlagi katerega bi pogodbenici soglasno vzpostavili mehanizem za spodbujanje možnosti za zakonite migracije;
(c) izmenjavo izkušenj in praks glede pristopa k in izvajanja določb Konvencije o statusu beguncev, podpisane 28. julija 1951, in njenega protokola, podpisanega 31. januarja 1967, zlasti načel »nevračanja« in »prostovoljne vrnitve«;
(d) pravila o sprejemu, pa tudi na pravice in status sprejetih oseb, pošteno obravnavo in vključevanje oseb, ki niso državljani države, v kateri zakonito prebivajo, izobraževanje in usposabljanje, ukrepe proti rasizmu in ksenofobiji;
(e) izvajanje učinkovite in preventivne politike proti nezakonitemu priseljevanju, tihotapljenju migrantov in trgovanju z ljudmi, vključno z načini boja proti tihotapskim in preprodajalskim omrežjem ter zaščite žrtev takšnega trgovanja;
(f) vrnitve oseb v humanih in dostojanstvenih pogojih, ki prebivajo nezakonito, vključno s spodbujanjem njihove prostovoljne vrnitve, ter ponovni sprejem takih oseb v skladu z odstavkom 3;
(g) vprašanja vzajemnega interesa na področju vizumov in varnosti potnih listin;
(h) vprašanja vzajemnega interesa na področju mejnega nadzora;
(i) gradnjo tehničnih in človeških zmogljivosti.
3. V okviru sodelovanja za preprečevanje in nadzor nezakonitega priseljevanja in brez poseganja v potrebo po zaščiti žrtev trgovanja z ljudmi se pogodbenici nadalje strinjata o naslednjem:
(a) ko pristojni organi Vietnama v skladu z nacionalnimi zakonodajami ali ustreznimi veljavnimi sporazumi ugotovijo, da ima oseba, ki naj bi bila ponovno sprejeta, vietnamsko državljanstvo, Vietnam ponovno sprejme vse svoje državljane, ki se nezakonito zadržujejo na ozemlju države članice, in sicer na podlagi zahteve pristojnega organa zadevne države članice in brez nepotrebnega odlašanja;
(b) ko pristojni organi zadevne države članice v skladu z nacionalnimi zakonodajami ali ustreznimi veljavnimi sporazumi ugotovijo, katero državljanstvo ima oseba, ki naj bi bila ponovno sprejeta, vsaka država članica ponovno sprejme vse svoje državljane, ki se nezakonito zadržujejo na ozemlju Vietnama, in sicer na podlagi zahteve pristojnega vietnamskega organa in brez nepotrebnega odlašanja.
Pogodbenici svojim državljanom v ta namen zagotovita ustrezne osebne dokumente. Če oseba, ki naj bi bila ponovno sprejeta, nima nobenih dokumentov ali drugih dokazil o državljanstvu, pristojni organi zadevne države članice ali Vietnama na zahtevo Vietnama ali zadevne države članice organizirajo razgovor z osebo, da bi ugotovili, katero državljanstvo ima.
4. Pogodbenici bosta ob upoštevanju svojih zakonov in postopkov okrepili sodelovanje na področju ponovnega sprejema, da se na zahtevo katere koli pogodbenice in v skladu z vzajemnim dogovorom organizirajo pogajanja o sporazumu med EU in Vietnamom o ponovnem sprejemu njunih državljanov.
ČLEN 28
Izobraževanje in usposabljanje
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta spodbujali sodelovanje na področju izobraževanja in usposabljanja, ki spoštuje njuno raznovrstnost, da bi okrepili vzajemno razumevanje, ter da bosta spodbujali ozaveščenost o možnostih izobraževanja v EU in v Vietnamu.
2. Pogodbenici poleg tega pozornost namenita ukrepom v zvezi z ustvarjanjem vezi med njunimi visokošolskimi inštitucijami in strokovnimi agencijami in s spodbujanjem izmenjave informacij, strokovnega znanja in izkušenj, študentov, strokovnjakov in tehničnih virov, in sicer z izkoriščanjem infrastrukture, ki jo ponujajo programi Unije v jugovzhodni Aziji na področju izobraževanja in usposabljanja, ter izkušenj, ki sta jih pogodbenici pridobili na tem področju.
3. Obe strani se tudi strinjata, da bosta spodbujali izvajanje ustreznih programov za visokošolsko izobraževanje, kot so program Erasmus Mundus in programi usposabljanja za konferenčno tolmačenje, in podpirali sodelovanje izobraževalnih ustanov v EU in v Vietnamu na področju skupnih študijskih in raziskovalnih programov, da bi se spodbujala akademsko sodelovanje in mobilnost.
4. Pogodbenici se strinjata tudi, da bosta vzpostavili dialog o vprašanjih vzajemnega interesa, ki se nanašajo na modernizacijo visokošolskega izobraževalnega sistema ter tehničnega in poklicnega sistema usposabljanja, v katerega bi lahko vključili zlasti ukrepe tehnične pomoči, s katerimi bi med drugim izboljšali ogrodje kvalifikacij in zagotavljanje kakovosti.
ČLEN 29
Zdravstvo
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali na zdravstvenem področju, da bi izboljšali zdravstvene razmere in socialno varnost, zlasti z okrepitvijo zdravstvenega sistema, vključno z zdravstvenim varstvom in zdravstvenim zavarovanjem.
2. Sodelovanje zajema predvsem:
(a) programe s ciljem okrepiti zdravstveni sektor, vključno z izboljšanjem zdravstvenih sistemov, storitev in razmer ter socialne varnosti;
(b) skupne dejavnosti v zvezi z epidemiologijo, vključno s sodelovanjem pri zgodnjem preprečevanju in nadzoru nad epidemijami, kot sta aviarna in pandemična influenca, ter drugimi glavnimi nalezljivimi boleznimi;
(c) mednarodne sporazume na zdravstvenem področju, zlasti Okvirno konvencijo za nadzor nad tobakom in Mednarodni zdravstveni pravilnik;
(d) standarde glede varnosti hrane, vključno z avtomatsko nadzorno mrežo za uvoz hrane, kakor je navedeno v členu 14;
(e) izmenjavo informacij, izkušenj o politikah in predpisih, ki se nanašajo na farmacevtsko in medicinsko opremo, v skladu z vzajemnim dogovorom;
(f) preprečevanje in nadzor nenalezljivih bolezni z izmenjavo informacij in dobrih praks, spodbujanjem zdravega življenjskega sloga, obravnavanjem glavnih dejavnikov zdravja ter nadzorom in upravljanjem teh bolezni.
3. Pogodbenici priznavata pomembnost nadaljnje posodobitve zdravstvenega sektorja in se strinjata, da bosta okrepili gradnjo kapacitet in tehnično pomoč v zdravstvenem sektorju.
ČLEN 30
Okolje in naravni viri
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata glede potrebe po trajnostni ohranitvi in upravljanju naravnih virov ter biotske raznolikosti kot osnovi za razvoj sedanjih in prihodnjih generacij.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da mora sodelovanje na tem področju spodbujati ohranjanje in izboljšanje okolja, da se doseže trajnostni razvoj. Pri vseh dejavnostih, ki jih izvajata pogodbenici v skladu s tem sporazumom, se upoštevajo zaključki svetovnega vrha o trajnostnem razvoju.
3. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali z namenom povečanja medsebojne podpore pri okoljskih politikah ter vključevanja okoljskih vidikov v vsa področja sodelovanja.
4. Pogodbenici si prizadevata za nadaljevanje in okrepitev njunega sodelovanja zlasti v zvezi z naslednjim:
(a) spodbujanje dejavnega sodelovanja pogodbenic pri izvajanju večstranskih okoljskih sporazumov, h katerim sta pristopili, vključno z Baselsko, Stockholmsko in Rotterdamsko konvencijo;
(b) spodbujanje okoljske ozaveščenosti in krepitev lokalnega sodelovanja, vključno s sodelovanjem domorodnih in lokalnih skupnosti pri prizadevanjih za varstvo okolja in trajnostni razvoj;
(c) spodbujanje in uvajanje okoljskih tehnologij, proizvodov in storitev, vključno preko uporabe regulativnih in tržnih instrumentov;
(d) preprečevanje nezakonitega čezmejnega premeščanja odpadkov, vključno z nevarnimi odpadki in ozonu škodljivimi snovmi;
(e) izboljšanje kakovosti zunanjega zraka, okolju neškodljivo ravnanje z odpadki, kemijska varnost, trajnostno integrirano gospodarjenje z vodnimi viri in spodbujanje trajnostne porabe in proizvodnje;
(f) trajnostni razvoj in zaščita gozdov, vključno s spodbujanjem trajnostnega upravljanja gozdov, certificiranja gozdov, ukrepov za boj proti nezakoniti sečnji in z njo povezani trgovini, ter vključevanja razvoja gozdarstva v razvoj lokalne skupnosti;
(g) učinkovito upravljanje nacionalnih parkov ter priznavanje in varstvo območij z biotsko raznovrstnostjo in občutljivih ekosistemov, pri čemer ustrezno upoštevata lokalne in domorodne skupnosti, ki živijo na teh območjih ali blizu njih;
(h) zaščita in ohranjanje obalnega in pomorskega okolja ter spodbujanje učinkovitega upravljanja morskih virov, da se doseže trajnostni pomorski razvoj;
(i) zaščita tal, ohranjanje funkcij tal ter trajnostno upravljanje zemljišč;
(j) krepitev zmogljivosti upravljanja zemljišč, pregledna ekonomika zemljišč in dobro delovanje nepremičninskega trga, ki temelji na načelu trajnostnega upravljanja zemljišč, ter ustrezne pravice za zainteresirane strani, da bi lahko pri uvajanju trajnostnega razvoja zagotovili učinkovito uporabo in okoljsko zaščito.
5. Pogodbenici si v ta namen prizadevata okrepiti sodelovanje prek dvostranskih in večstranskih okvirov, vključno s programi tehnične pomoči, da bi spodbujale razvoj, prenos in uporabo okolju prijaznih tehnologij, ter prek pobud in partnerskih dogovorov, ki temeljijo na načelu vzajemne koristi za zgodnjo uresničitev razvojnih ciljev tisočletja.
ČLEN 31
Sodelovanje na področju podnebnih sprememb
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali za pospešitev boja proti podnebnim spremembam ter njihovemu vplivu na poslabševanje okolja in revščino, spodbujali politike za ublažitev podnebnih sprememb in prilagajanje na njihove negativne učinke, zlasti na dvigovanje morske gladine, ter svoja gospodarstva vodili v smeri trajnostne nizkoogljične rasti.
2. Cilji sodelovanja so:
(a) boj proti podnebnim spremembam s splošnim ciljem prehoda na nizkoogljično gospodarstvo, ki je varno in trajnostno naravnano, in sicer prek konkretnih ukrepov ublažitve podnebnih sprememb v skladu z načeli Okvirne konvencije Združenih narodov o spremembi podnebja (UNFCCC);
(b) izboljšanje energetske izkoristka gospodarstev pogodbenic s spodbujanjem energetske učinkovitosti, ohranjanja energije in uporabe varne in trajnostne obnovljive energije ter prehod na okolju prijazno proizvodnjo energije, ki prispeva k ustvarjanju temeljev za zeleno energetsko revolucijo;
(c) spodbujanje vzorcev trajnostne porabe in proizvodnje v gospodarstvih pogodbenic, s čimer se prispeva k čim večjemu zmanjšanju pritiskov na ekosisteme, vključno s tlemi in podnebjem;
(d) prilagajanje na neizogibne in škodljive vplive podnebnih sprememb, vključno z vključitvijo ukrepov za prilagajanje v strategije rasti in razvoja pogodbenic ter v načrtovanje na vseh področjih in na vseh ravneh.
3. Da bi dosegli cilje iz odstavka 2, pogodbenici:
(a) okrepita dialog in sodelovanje v zvezi s politikami na tehnični ravni;
(b) spodbujata sodelovanje glede dejavnosti raziskav in razvoja (R&R) in tehnologij z nizkimi emisijami;
(c) okrepita sodelovanje glede ustreznih ukrepov ublažitve podnebnih sprememb na nacionalni ravni, načrtov za nizkoogljično rast, nacionalnih programov za prilagajanje na podnebne spremembe ter zmanjšanja tveganja naravnih nesreč;
(d) okrepita gradnjo zmogljivosti in ustanove, da bi se spopadli z izzivi, ki nastajajo zaradi podnebnih sprememb;
(e) spodbujata ozaveščanje, zlasti najranljivejšega prebivalstva in tistih, ki živijo na občutljivih območjih, ter pospešujeta sodelovanje lokalnih skupnosti pri odzivanju na podnebne spremembe.
ČLEN 32
Kmetijstvo, gozdarstvo, reja živali, ribištvo in razvoj podeželja
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje, vključno preko okrepljenega dialoga in izmenjave izkušenj, na področju kmetijstva, gozdarstva, reje živali, ribištva in razvoja podeželja, še zlasti pa na naslednjih področjih:
(a) kmetijska politika in mednarodna kmetijska predvidevanja na splošno;
(b) pospeševanje trgovine z rastlinami in živalmi ter njihovimi proizvodi med pogodbenicama ter razvoj in spodbujanje trga;
(c) razvojna politika na podeželju;
(d) politika kakovosti rastlin, živali, proizvodov vodnih živali in rastlin ter zlasti zaščitene geografske označbe in ekološka pridelava; trženje kakovostnih proizvodov, zlasti ekoloških proizvodov in proizvodov z geografskimi označbami (označevanje, certificiranje in nadzor);
(e) dobro počutje živali;
(f) razvoj trajnostnega in okolju prijaznega kmetijstva ter prenos biotehnologij;
(g) podpora trajnostni in odgovorni dolgoročni pomorski in ribiški politiki, vključno z ohranjevanjem in upravljanjem obalnih in morskih virov;
(h) spodbujanje prizadevanj za preprečevanje in boj proti nezakonitim, neprijavljenim in nereguliranim ribolovnim praksam ter nezakoniti sečnji in trgovini z gozdarskimi proizvodi z izvrševanjem zakonodaje, upravljanjem in trgovanjem na področju gozdov (FLEGT) ter sporazumom o prostovoljnem partnerstvu;
(i) raziskovanje dednosti, izbor živalskih pasem in rastlinskih sort, vključno z izboljšanjem kakovosti rejnih živali, ter raziskovanje krme in prehrane za kopenske in vodne živali;
(j) ublažitev negativnih učinkov podnebnih sprememb na kmetijsko proizvodnjo ter zmanjševanje revščine v oddaljenih območjih in na podeželju;
(k) podpiranje in spodbujanje trajnostnega upravljanja gozdov, vključno s prilagajanjem na podnebne razmere in ublažitvijo njihovih negativnih učinkov.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta proučili možnosti za tehnično pomoč v rastlinski pridelavi in živalski proizvodnji, vključno vendar ne le z izboljšanjem produktivnosti živali in rastlin ter kakovostjo proizvodov, ter se nadalje strinjata, da bosta proučili programe gradnje zmogljivosti, ki imajo cilj vzpostaviti zmogljivost upravljanja na tem področju.
ČLEN 33
Sodelovanje na področju enakosti spolov
1. Pogodbenici sodelujeta pri krepitvi politik in programov, povezanih z enakostjo spolov, ter institucionalne in upravne zmogljivosti ter pri podpiranju izvajanja nacionalnih strategij glede enakosti spolov, vključno s pravicami žensk in krepitvijo njihove vloge, da bi zagotovili pravično udeležbo moških in žensk na vseh področjih gospodarskega, kulturnega, političnega in družbenega življenja. Sodelovanje se zlasti osredotoča na izboljšanje dostopa žensk do potrebnih virov, da bi lahko v celoti uresničevale njihove temeljne pravice.
2. Pogodbenici spodbujata ustvarjanje ustreznega okvira za:
(a) zagotovitev, da se vprašanja, povezana z enakostjo spolov, ustrezno vključijo v vse razvojne strategije, politike in programe;
(b) izmenjavo izkušenj in modelov za spodbujanje enakosti spolov ter spodbujanje sprejetja pozitivnih ukrepov v korist žensk.
ČLEN 34
Sodelovanje na področju odstranjevanja ostankov vojne
Pogodbenici priznavata pomembnost sodelovanja na področju čiščenja min, bomb in drugih neeksplodiranih eksplozivnih sredstev ter spoštovanja mednarodnih pogodb, h katerim sta pristopili, ob upoštevanju drugih ustreznih mednarodnih instrumentov. Pogodbenici se zato strinjata, da bosta sodelovali:
(a) z izmenjavo izkušenj in dialogom, krepitvijo zmogljivosti upravljanja in usposabljanjem strokovnjakov, raziskovalcev in specializiranih strokovnjakov, vključno s pomočjo pri gradnji zmogljivosti, ob upoštevanju njunih domačih postopkov za reševanje zgoraj navedenih vprašanj;
(b) z obveščanjem in izobraževanjem glede preprečevanja nesreč, ki jih povzročajo bombe in mine, rehabilitacijo in ponovnim vključevanjem žrtev bomb in min v skupnost.
ČLEN 35
Sodelovanje na področju človekovih pravic
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali pri spodbujanju in varstvu človekovih pravic, vključno z izvajanjem mednarodnih instrumentov o človekovih pravicah, h katerim sta pristopili.
V ta namen bo zagotovljena tehnična pomoč.
2. Tako sodelovanje lahko vključuje:
(a) spodbujanje človekovih pravic in izobraževanje o njih;
(b) krepitev institucij, povezanih s človekovimi pravicami;
(c) krepitev obstoječega dialoga o človekovih pravicah;
(d) krepitev sodelovanja v institucijah ZN, povezanih s človekovimi pravicami.
ČLEN 36
Reforma javne uprave
Pogodbenici se na podlagi posebne ocene potreb, izvedene z medsebojnim posvetovanjem, strinjata o sodelovanju, namenjenem preoblikovanju in izboljšanju učinkovitosti njunih javnih uprav, med drugim:
(a) z izboljšanjem organizacijske učinkovitosti, vključno z decentralizacijo;
(b) s povečanjem uspešnosti institucij pri zagotavljanju storitev;
(c) z izboljšanjem upravljanja javnih financ in izpolnjevanja odgovornosti v skladu z zakoni in drugimi predpisi pogodbenic;
(d) z izboljšanjem pravnega in institucionalnega okvira;
(e) z gradnjo zmogljivosti na področju načrtovanja in izvajanja politik (zagotavljanje javnih storitev, sestava proračuna in njegovo izvrševanje, boj proti korupciji);
(f) z gradnjo zmogljivosti mehanizmov in agencij organov pregona;
(g) z reformo državne uprave, agencij in upravnih postopkov;
(h) z gradnjo zmogljivosti za posodobitev javne uprave.
ČLEN 37
Združenja in nevladne organizacije
1. Pogodbenici priznavata vlogo in možen prispevek združenj in NVO, vključno s socialnimi partnerji, v procesu sodelovanja v okviru tega sporazuma.
2. V skladu z demokratičnimi načeli ter pravnimi in upravnimi določbami vsake pogodbenice lahko organizirana združenja in NVO:
(a) sodelujejo pri odločanju;
(b) dobivajo informacije o in sodelujejo pri posvetovanjih o strategijah razvoja in sodelovanja ter sektorskih politikah, zlasti na področjih, ki jih zadevajo, vključno z vsemi stopnjami razvojnega procesa;
(c) prejemajo finančna sredstva, če to dovoljujejo notranja pravila vsake pogodbenice, in podporo za gradnjo zmogljivosti na kritičnih področjih;
(d) sodelujejo pri izvajanju programov sodelovanja na področjih, ki jih zadevajo.
ČLEN 38
Kultura
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta spodbujali večstransko sodelovanje na področju kulture, ki ustrezno spoštuje njuno raznovrstnost, da bi okrepili vzajemno razumevanje in poznavanje njunih kultur.
2. Pogodbenici si prizadevata sprejeti ustrezne ukrepe za spodbujanje kulturnih izmenjav in izvajanje skupnih pobud na različnih kulturnih področjih, vključno s sodelovanjem pri ohranjanju kulturne dediščine ob upoštevanju kulturne raznolikosti. Pogodbenici se zato strinjata, da bosta še naprej sodelovali v okviru azijsko-evropskega srečanja (ASEM) in podpirali dejavnosti Azijsko-evropske fundacije (ASEF). Pogodbenici v ta namen podpirata in spodbujata dejavnosti dolgoročnega partnerstva in sodelovanja med njunimi kulturnimi institucijami.
3. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da se bosta posvetovali in sodelovali v ustreznih mednarodnih forumih, kot je UNESCO, da bi uresničili skupne cilje ter spodbujali kulturno raznolikost in varstvo kulturne dediščine. V zvezi s tem se pogodbenici strinjata, da bosta spodbujali ratifikacijo in okrepili sodelovanje pri izvajanju Konvencije UNESCO o varovanju in spodbujanju raznolikosti kulturnih izrazov, ki je bila sprejeta 20. oktobra 2005, in posebno pozornost namenili političnemu dialogu, vključevanju kulture v trajnostni razvoj in zmanjšanju revščine, da se s podporo razvoja kulturne industrije spodbudi nastanek dinamičnega kulturnega sektorja. Pogodbenici si še naprej prizadevata spodbuditi še druge države, da bi ratificirale navedeno konvencijo.
ČLEN 39
Znanstveno in tehnološko sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta okrepili znanstveno in tehnološko sodelovanje na področjih vzajemnega interesa, vključno s področji industrije, energetike, prometa, okolja, zlasti podnebnih sprememb in gospodarjenja z naravnimi viri (npr. ribištva, gozdarstva in razvoja podeželja), kmetijstva in varnosti preskrbe s hrano, biotehnologij ter človekovega zdravja in zdravja živali, ob upoštevanju svojih politik in programov sodelovanja.
2. Cilji takšnega sodelovanja so med drugim:
(a) spodbujanje izmenjave informacij in znanja ter izkušenj o znanosti in tehnologiji, vključno z izmenjavo o izvajanju politik in programov;
(b) spodbujanje trajnih odnosov in raziskovalnih partnerstev med znanstvenimi skupnostmi, raziskovalnimi centri, univerzami in industrijo;
(c) spodbujanje usposabljanja človeških virov na področju znanosti in tehnologije;
(d) okrepitev uporabe znanstvenih in tehnoloških raziskav za spodbujanje trajnostnega razvoja in izboljšanje kakovosti življenja.
3. Sodelovanje poteka v naslednjih oblikah:
(a) skupni projekti in programi R&R;
(b) izmenjava informacij, znanja in izkušenj s skupno organizacijo znanstvenih seminarjev in delavnic, srečanj, simpozijev in konferenc;
(c) usposabljanje in izmenjava znanstvenikov, nižjih raziskovalcev prek mednarodnih shem mobilnosti in programov izmenjav, s čimer se zagotavlja največje možno razširjanje rezultatov raziskav, učenja in najboljših praks;
(d) druge oblike, o katerih sta se skupno dogovorili pogodbenici.
4. Pri tem sodelovanju pogodbenici dajeta prednost udeležbi njunih visokošolskih ustanov, raziskovalnih centrov in proizvodnih sektorjev, zlasti malih in srednjih podjetij. Dejavnosti sodelovanja bi morale temeljiti na načelih vzajemnosti, pravične obravnave in vzajemnih koristi ter zagotoviti ustrezno varovanje intelektualne lastnine.
5. Med drugim imajo pri sodelovanju posebno prednost naslednja področja:
(a) spodbujanje in pospeševanje dostopa do določenih raziskovalnih ustanov za izmenjavo in usposabljanje raziskovalcev;
(b) spodbujanje vključevanja R&R v naložbene programe/projekte ter programe/projekte uradne razvojne pomoči.
6. Pogodbenici si prizadevata po svojih zmožnostih zagotoviti finančne vire za podporo izvajanja dejavnosti znanstvenega in tehnološkega sodelovanja v okviru tega sporazuma.
7. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da si bosta kar najbolj prizadevali povečati ozaveščenost javnosti glede možnosti, ki jih nudijo njuni programi za znanstveno in tehnološko sodelovanje.
ČLEN 40
Sodelovanje na področju informacijskih in komunikacijskih tehnologij
1. Ob priznavanju, da so informacijske in komunikacijske tehnologije (IKT) ključni elementi sodobnega življenja ter bistvenega pomena za gospodarski in družbeni razvoj, se pogodbenici strinjata, da si bosta izmenjavali stališča o svojih politikah na tem področju, da bi spodbudili ekonomski in socialni razvoj.
2. Sodelovanje na tem področju je med drugim osredotočeno na:
(a) olajševanje dialoga o različnih vidikih razvoja IKT;
(b) gradnjo zmogljivosti na področju IKT, vključno z razvojem človeških virov;
(c) medsebojno povezljivost in interoperabilnost omrežij in storitev pogodbenic ter jugovzhodne Azije;
(d) standardizacijo in širjenje novih IKT;
(e) spodbujanje sodelovanja R&R med pogodbenicama na področju IKT;
(f) varnostna vprašanja/vidike IKT ter boj proti kibernetski kriminaliteti;
(g) ugotavljanje skladnosti telekomunikacij, vključno z radijsko opremo;
(h) sodelovanje ter izmenjavo izkušenj in najboljših praks na področju uvajanja informacijske tehnologije v celotni družbi in javni upravi;
(i) pospeševanje sodelovanja med ustreznimi institucijami in zastopniki pogodbenic na področjih avdiovizualnega in medijskega sektorja;
(j) spodbujanje nadaljnjega sodelovanja med podjetji IKT pogodbenic, vključno s prenosom tehnologije.
ČLEN 41
Promet
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta nadalje okrepili njuno sodelovanje na ustreznih področjih prometne politike, da bi izboljšali in povečali priložnosti za naložbe, izboljšali pretok blaga in potnikov, spodbujali pomorsko in letalsko varnost in zaščito, še zlasti iskanje in reševanje, boj proti piratstvu in širše zbliževanje predpisov, zmanjšali okoljske vplive prometa ter povečali učinkovitost njunih prometnih sistemov.
2. Cilj sodelovanja pogodbenic na tem področju je spodbujanje:
(a) izmenjave informacij o njunih prometnih politikah in praksah, zlasti v zvezi z mestnim, podeželjskim, morskim in letalskim prometom, načrtovanjem mestnega prometa, prometno logistiko, razvojem javnega prometa ter povezljivostjo in interoperabilnostjo večmodalnih prometnih mrež;
(b) izmenjave informacij o evropskem globalnem satelitskem navigacijskem sistemu (Galileo) z uporabo ustreznih dvostranskih instrumentov in s poudarkom na regulativnih, industrijskih in tržnih razvojnih vprašanjih vzajemnega interesa;
(c) skupnih ukrepov na področju storitev letalskih prevozov, med drugim z izvajanjem obstoječih sporazumov, s proučitvijo možnosti nadaljnjega razvoja odnosov ter tehničnega in regulativnega sodelovanja na področjih, kot so letalska varnost, letalska zaščita in upravljanje zračnega prometa, da se podpre regulativna konvergenca in odstranjevanje ovir za sklepanje poslov. Pogodbenici bosta na tej podlagi proučili možnosti za okrepljeno sodelovanje na področju civilnega letalstva;
(d) dialoga na področju storitev pomorskih prevozov, ki so usmerjeni v neomejen dostop do mednarodnih pomorskih trgov in trgovine na tržni osnovi, v zaveze za postopno ukinitev obstoječih shem za rezervacije tovora, v vzdržnost pri uvajanju klavzul o delitvi tovora, v vzpostavitev v okviru storitev pomorskih prevozov, vključno s pomožnimi storitvami, klavzule nacionalne obravnave in klavzulo o državah z največjimi ugodnostmi v zvezi z dostopom do pomožnih in pristaniških storitev za plovila, ki jih upravljajo državljani ali podjetja druge pogodbenice, ter vprašanja, povezana s prevoznimi storitvami od vrat do vrat;
(e) izvajanje zaščitnih in varnostnih standardov ter standardov za preprečevanje onesnaževanja, zlasti v zvezi s pomorskim in z letalskim prevozom, skupaj z ustreznimi mednarodnimi konvencijami, vključno s sodelovanjem na ustreznih mednarodnih forumih, zato da bi zagotovili boljše izvajanje mednarodnih predpisov. Pogodbenici bosta v ta namen spodbujali tehnično sodelovanje in pomoč pri vprašanjih, povezanih z varstvom pri prevozih, vključno z iskanjem in reševanjem, preiskavami žrtev in nesreč.
ČLEN 42
Energetika
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje na energetskem področju, da bi:
(a) zagotovili razvejanost oskrbe z energijo, da bi povečali varnost preskrbe z energijo in razvili nove inovativne in obnovljive oblike energije, vključno s trajnostno energijo iz biogoriv in biomase v skladu s pogoji v posameznih državah, vetrno in sončno energijo, ter proizvodnjo energije v hidroelektrarnah, ter podprli razvoj ustreznih političnih okvirov za ustvarjanje ugodnih pogojev za naložbe in enakih konkurenčnih pogojev za obnovljivo energijo in njeno vključitev v ustrezna področja politik;
(b) dosegli racionalno rabo energije, k čemur se prispeva na straneh oskrbe in povpraševanja s spodbujanjem energetske učinkovitosti pri proizvodnji, prenosu, distribuciji in končni rabi energije;
(c) podprli prenos tehnologij, namenjenih trajnostni proizvodnji in rabi energije;
(d) okrepili gradnjo zmogljivosti in pospešili naložbe na tem področju na podlagi preglednih in nediskriminatornih trgovskih pravil;
(e) proučili povezave med cenovno ugodnim dostopom do energetskih storitev in trajnostnim razvojem.
2. Zato se pogodbenici strinjata, da bosta spodbujali stike in skupno raziskovanje ter okrepili projekte tehnične pomoči in gradnje zmogljivosti prek ustreznih regionalnih forumov o čisti proizvodnji in okoljski zaščiti v vzajemno korist pogodbenic. Obe strani bosta proučili nadaljnje možnosti za okrepljeno sodelovanje na področju jedrske varnosti in zaščite v okviru svojega obstoječega pravnega okvira in politik.
ČLEN 43
Turizem
1. Ob upoštevanju globalnega etičnega kodeksa v turizmu Svetovne turistične organizacije in trajnostnih načel iz »procesa lokalne agende 21« je cilj pogodbenic izboljšati izmenjavo informacij in oblikovati najboljšo prakso, da bi zagotovili uravnotežen in trajnosten razvoj turizma.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta razvili sodelovanje med drugim glede:
(a) varovanja in največjega povečanja potenciala naravne in kulturne dediščine;
(b) zmanjševanja negativnih učinkov turizma;
(c) povečanja pozitivnega prispevka turistične dejavnosti k trajnostnemu razvoju lokalnih skupnosti, med drugim z razvojem ekološkega in kulturnega turizma, pri čemer bosta upoštevali celovitost in interese lokalnih in avtohtonih skupnosti;
(d) tehnične pomoči in gradnje zmogljivosti, vključno s programi usposabljanja za oblikovalce politik in vodilne delavce v turizmu;
(e) spodbujanja turistične industrije, vključno z organizatorji potovanj in turističnimi agencijami v obeh pogodbenicah, da bi nadalje razvila dvostransko sodelovanje, vključno z usposabljanjem.
ČLEN 44
Industrijska politika in sodelovanje malih in srednjih podjetij
Pogodbenici se ob upoštevanju njunih gospodarskih politik in ciljev strinjata, da bosta spodbujali sodelovanje na vseh področjih industrijske politike, ki jih štejeta za ustrezna, da bi izboljšali konkurenčnost malih in srednjih podjetij, med drugim:
(a) z izmenjavo informacij in izkušenj v zvezi z vzpostavitvijo pravnega okvira in drugih pogojev za mala in srednja podjetja za izboljšanje njihove konkurenčnosti;
(b) s pospeševanjem stikov in izmenjav med gospodarskimi subjekti, s spodbujanjem skupnih naložb in z ustanavljanjem skupnih vlaganj ter informacijskih mrež prek obstoječih horizontalnih programov Unije, zlasti s spodbujanjem prenosa strojne in programske tehnologije med partnerji, vključno z novimi in naprednimi tehnologijami;
(c) z zagotavljanjem informacij, spodbujanjem inovacij in izmenjavo dobrih praks o dostopu do financiranja in trgov, vključno z revizijskimi in računovodskimi storitvami zlasti za mikropodjetja in mala podjetja;
(d) z olajševanjem in podporo ustreznih dejavnosti, ki so jih začeli izvajati v zasebnem sektorju in poslovnih združenjih pogodbenic;
(e) s spodbujanjem socialne odgovornosti podjetij in odgovornih poslovnih praks, vključno s trajnostno porabo in proizvodnjo. To sodelovanje je dopolnjeno tudi z vidika potrošnika glede informacij o proizvodih in vloge potrošnika na trgu;
(f) z izvajanjem skupnih raziskovalnih projektov, tehnične pomoči in s sodelovanjem v zvezi s standardi, tehničnimi predpisi in postopki ugotavljanja skladnosti v izbranih industrijskih panogah v skladu z medsebojnim dogovorom.
ČLEN 45
Dialog o gospodarski politiki
Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali pri spodbujanju izmenjave informacij o njunih gospodarskih gibanjih in politikah ter pri izmenjavi izkušenj pri usklajevanju gospodarskih politik v okviru regionalnega gospodarskega sodelovanja in povezovanja prek obstoječih dvostranskih in večstranskih mehanizmov na področjih vzajemnega interesa, vključno z izmenjavo informacij o postopkih reform in kapitalizacijah državnih podjetij v skladu z zakoni in drugimi predpisi pogodbenic.
ČLEN 46
Sodelovanje na področju obdavčenja
1. Pogodbenici sta zavezani dobremu upravljanju na davčnem področju ter bosta uveljavili načela preglednosti in izmenjave informacij v okviru dvostranskih davčnih sporazumov med državami članicami in Vietnamom, da bi okrepili in razvili gospodarske dejavnosti, pri čemer upoštevata potrebo po razvoju ustreznega regulativnega in upravnega okvira. Pogodbenici se nadalje strinjata, da bosta okrepili njuno izmenjavo izkušenj, dialog in sodelovanje pri boju proti davčnim utajam in drugim škodljivim davčnim praksam.
2. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje na davčnem področju, da bi okrepili svojo regulativno in upravno zmogljivost, med drugim prek izmenjave izkušenj in tehnične pomoči.
3. Pogodbenici bosta spodbujali učinkovito izvajanje dvostranskih davčnih sporazumov med državami članicami in Vietnamom ter podpirali proučitev o možnostih sklenitve novih takih sporazumov v prihodnosti.
ČLEN 47
Sodelovanje na področju finančnih storitev
Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta vzpostavili dialog, namenjen zlasti izmenjavi informacij in izkušenj glede njunih regulativnih okolij, in okrepili sodelovanje, da bi izboljšali računovodske, revizijske, nadzorniške in regulativne sisteme bančništva, zavarovalništva ter drugih področij finančnega sektorja, vključno s programi gradnje zmogljivosti na področjih vzajemnega interesa.
ČLEN 48
Sodelovanje na področju preprečevanja in ublažitve naravnih nesreč
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali pri preprečevanju naravnih nesreč in učinkovitem odzivanju nanje, da bi kar najbolj zmanjšali izgube življenj, lastnine, naravnih virov, okolja in kulturne dediščine ter vključili zmanjšanje tveganja naravnih nesreč v splošne politike v vse sektorje in področja ukrepanja na nacionalni in lokalni ravni.
2. Pogodbenici se na tej podlagi strinjata, da:
(a) si bosta izmenjavali informacije o spremljanju, ocenjevanju, napovedih in zgodnjem obveščanju v zvezi z naravnimi nesrečami;
(b) bosta okrepili zmogljivost z izmenjavo izkušenj in najboljših praks pri preprečevanju naravnih nesreč in njihovi ublažitvi;
(c) se bosta medsebojno podpirali na področju tehnologije, specializirane opreme in materialov, potrebnih za obvladovanje naravnih nesreč in nujne ukrepe;
(d) bosta okrepili dialog med organi pogodbenic, pristojnimi za obvladovanje naravnih nesreč in nujne ukrepe, da bi spodbudili in okrepili sodelovanje na tem področju.
ČLEN 49
Urbanistično in regionalno načrtovanje in razvoj
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta spodbujali sodelovanje in partnerstvo na tem področju, ob priznavanju pomembne vloge urbanističnega in regionalnega načrtovanja in razvoja pri spodbujanju gospodarske rasti, zmanjševanju revščine in trajnostnega razvoja.
2. Sodelovanje na področju urbanističnega in regionalnega načrtovanja in razvoja lahko poteka v naslednjih oblikah:
(a) z izmenjavo izkušenj pri reševanju vprašanj, ki se nanašajo na trajnostno urbanistično in regionalno načrtovanje in razvoj, vključno:
– s politikami, ki se ukvarjajo z urbanističnim načrtovanjem in povezano infrastrukturo, regionalnim načrtovanjem in širjenjem mestnih območij, ohranjanjem in razvojem zgodovinskih mest;
– z vzpostavitvijo mestnih mrež z udeležbo centralne in lokalne uprave, vključno z občinami, združenji in NVO, agencijami, pogodbenimi izvajalci in poklicnimi združenji;
– z upravljanjem arhitekturnih vidikov, načrtovanja in širjenja mestnega prostora z uporabo orodij geografskega informacijskega sistema;
– z načrtovanjem in razvojem obnove urbanih in mestnih središč ter ekološko urbanistično načrtovanje;
– z odnosi med mesti in podeželjem;
– z razvojem mestne tehnične infrastrukture, vključno z obnovo in izboljšanjem sistemov oskrbe z vodo v mestih, izgradnjo kanalizacijskih sistemov in sistemov za obdelavo trdnih odpadkov, varstvom okolja in mestne pokrajine;
(b) s podporo pri usposabljanju in gradnji zmogljivosti za vodilne delavce na centralni, regionalni in lokalni ravni na področju regionalnega in urbanističnega načrtovanja, upravljanja arhitekturnih vidikov in stavbne dediščine;
(c) s sodelovanjem v okviru ustreznih mednarodnih organizacij, kot sta HABITAT ZN in Svetovni mestni forum, prek skupnih raziskovalnih programov in organizacije delavnic in seminarjev za izmenjavo informacij in izkušenj v urbanističnem načrtovanju in razvoju, vključno s širjenjem mestnih območij, urbanističnim projektiranjem, prostorskim razvojem in razvojem tehnične infrastrukture.
3. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje, si izmenjevali izkušnje in informacije na ravni njunih regionalnih organov in organov, pristojnih za urbanizem, da bi rešili zapletene urbanistične probleme s spodbujanjem trajnostnega razvoja.
ČLEN 50
Delo, zaposlovanje in socialne zadeve
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje na področju dela, zaposlovanja in socialnih zadev, vključno s sodelovanjem v zvezi z delom, regionalno in socialno kohezijo, zdravstvom in varnostjo pri delu, enakostjo spolov, vseživljenjskim razvojem znanja in spretnosti, razvojem človeških virov, mednarodnimi migracijami in dostojnim delom ter socialno varnostjo, da bi okrepili socialno razsežnost globalizacije.
2. Pogodbenici ponovno potrjujeta potrebo po podpiranju procesa globalizacije, ki je koristen za vse, ter spodbujanju polne in produktivne zaposlenosti ter dostojnega dela kot ključnega elementa trajnostnega razvoja in zmanjšanja revščine, kot to potrjujeta Resolucija Generalne skupščine ZN 60/1 in ministrska deklaracija Ekonomsko-socialnega sveta ZN na visoki ravni iz julija 2006. Sodelovanje med pogodbenicama poteka skladno z ter upošteva značilnosti in raznolikost gospodarskih in socialnih razmer.
3. Pogodbenici ponovno potrjujeta, da sta zavezani k spoštovanju, spodbujanju in uresničevanju mednarodno priznanih standardov dela, kot so določeni v konvencijah Mednarodne organizacije dela (MOD), h katerima sta pristopili, in na katere se sklicuje deklaracija MOD o temeljnih načelih in pravicah pri delu. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta sodelovali in zagotavljali tehnično pomoč, da bi ustrezno spodbujali ratifikacijo mednarodno priznanih standardov dela in učinkovito izvajali standarde dela, ki sta jih pogodbenici ratificirali.
4. Pogodbenici si v skladu z zakoni, pogoji in postopki, ki veljajo v državi gostiteljici in so navedeni v ustreznih mednarodnih pogodbah in konvencijah, h katerim sta pristopili, prizadevata zagotoviti, da državljani druge pogodbenice, zakonito zaposleni na ozemlju države gostiteljice, niso predmet kakršne koli diskriminacije na podlagi državljanstva, ki bi se med drugim nanašala na pogoje dela, prejemke ali odpuščanje, v primerjavi s pogoji, ki veljajo za druge državljane tretjih držav.
5. Oblike sodelovanja lahko vključujejo posebne programe in projekte na podlagi vzajemnega dogovora ter gradnjo zmogljivosti, izmenjavo mnenj glede politik in pobude o temah skupnega interesa na dvostranski in večstranski ravni, kot je raven ASEM, EU-ASEAN in MOD.
ČLEN 51
Statistika
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta spodbujali sodelovanje pri usklajevanju in razvijanju statističnih metod, vključno z zbiranjem, obdelavo, analizo in razširjanjem statističnih podatkov.
2. Pogodbenici se v ta namen strinjata, da bosta okrepili sodelovanje, vključno prek regionalnih in mednarodnih forumov, z gradnjo zmogljivosti in drugimi projekti tehnične pomoči, vključno z zagotavljanjem sodobne statistične programske opreme, da bi okrepili kakovost statistike.
NASLOV VII
INSTITUCIONALNI OKVIR
ČLEN 52
Skupni odbor
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da se ustanovi Skupni odbor, ki ga sestavljajo predstavniki obeh strani na najvišji možni ravni in katerega naloge so:
(a) zagotavljati pravilno delovanje in izvajanje tega sporazuma;
(b) določati prednostne naloge glede na cilje tega sporazuma;
(c) spremljati razvoj obsežnega partnerstva med pogodbenicama in dajati priporočila o spodbujanju ciljev tega sporazuma;
(d) ustrezno zahtevati informacije od odborov in drugih organov, ustanovljenih v skladu z drugimi sporazumi, sklenjenimi med pogodbenicama, ter proučiti kakršna koli poročila, ki jih ti predložijo;
(e) izmenjevati mnenja in dajati predloge o kakršnem koli vprašanju v skupnega interesa, vključno s prihodnjimi ukrepi in viri, ki so na voljo za njihovo izvajanje;
(f) reševati razlike, ki bi izhajale iz uporabe ali razlage tega sporazuma;
(g) proučiti vse informacije, ki jih predloži ena od pogodbenic glede izpolnjevanja obveznosti, in se posvetovati z drugo pogodbenico z namenom najti rešitev, sprejemljivo za obe pogodbenici v skladu s členom 57.
2. Skupni odbor se praviloma sestaja letno, izmenično v Hanoju in Bruslju, na sporazumno določen datum. Po dogovoru med pogodbenicama se lahko skličejo tudi izredna zasedanja Skupnega odbora. Skupnemu odboru pogodbenici predsedujeta izmenično. Dnevni red zasedanj Skupnega odbora pogodbenici določita sporazumno.
3. Skupni odbor ustanovi pododbore in posebne delovne skupine, ki mu pomagajo pri izvajanju njegovih nalog. Ti pododbori in delovne skupine o svojih dejavnostih podrobno poročajo Skupnemu odboru na vsakem njegovem zasedanju.
4. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da je naloga Skupnega odbora tudi zagotavljati pravilno delovanje vseh sektorskih sporazumov ali protokolov, ki so bili sklenjeni ali bodo sklenjeni med pogodbenicama.
5. Skupni odbor sprejme svoj poslovnik.
NASLOV VIII
KONČNE DOLOČBE
ČLEN 53
Sredstva za sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bosta, v kolikor to omogočajo njuna sredstva in predpisi, zagotovili ustrezna sredstva, vključno s finančnimi sredstvi, da bi izpolnili cilje sodelovanja iz tega sporazuma.
2. Pogodbenici spodbujata Evropsko investicijsko banko, da v skladu s svojimi postopki in finančnimi merili nadaljuje svoje delovanje v Vietnamu.
ČLEN 54
Evolutivna klavzula
1. Pogodbenici lahko s skupnim dogovorom razširita področje uporabe tega sporazuma, da bi okrepili raven sodelovanja, vključno z njegovo dopolnitvijo s sporazumi ali protokoli glede določenih področij ali dejavnostih. Taki posebni sporazumi so sestavni del celotnih dvostranskih odnosov, kot jih ureja ta sporazum, in del skupnega institucionalnega okvira.
2. V okviru izvajanja tega sporazuma lahko vsaka pogodbenica oblikuje predloge za razširitev obsega sodelovanja, pri čemer upošteva izkušnje, pridobljene z izvajanjem tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 55
Drugi sporazumi
1. Brez poseganja v ustrezne določbe Pogodbe o Evropski uniji in Pogodbe o delovanju Evropske unije niti ta sporazum niti ukrepi, sprejeti v skladu z njim, ne vplivajo na pristojnosti držav članic, da izvajajo dvostranske dejavnosti sodelovanja z Vietnamom ali da sklepajo, kadar je to ustrezno, nove sporazume o partnerstvu in sodelovanju z Vietnamom.
2. Ta sporazum ne vpliva na uporabo ali izvajanje zavez, ki jih imata pogodbenici v zvezi s tretjimi stranmi.
3. Obstoječi sporazumi, ki se nanašajo na posebna področja sodelovanja, ki spadajo v področje uporabe tega sporazuma, veljajo za del celotnih dvostranskih odnosov, kot jih ureja ta sporazum, in so del skupnega institucionalnega okvira.
ČLEN 56
Uporaba in razlaga Sporazuma
1. Vsaka pogodbenica lahko na Skupni odbor naslovi kakršno koli razhajanje glede uporabe ali razlage tega sporazuma.
2. Skupni odbor lahko takšno razhajanje razreši s priporočilom.
ČLEN 57
Izpolnjevanje obveznosti
1. Pogodbenici sprejmeta vse splošne ali posebne ukrepe, ki so potrebni za izpolnjevanje njunih obveznosti iz tega sporazuma, in zagotovita, da so ti ukrepi skladni s cilji in nameni iz tega sporazuma.
2. Če katera od pogodbenic meni, da druga pogodbenica ni izpolnila njenih obveznosti iz tega sporazuma, lahko sprejme ustrezne ukrepe.
3. Preden pogodbenica to stori, predloži Skupnemu odboru, razen v primerih bistvenih kršitev Sporazuma, vse ustrezne informacije, potrebne za temeljito proučitev primera, da bi našli rešitev, sprejemljivo za pogodbenici.
4. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da za namene pravilne razlage in praktične uporabe tega sporazuma pojem »ustrezni ukrepi« iz člena 57(2) pomeni ukrepe, ki so sprejeti v skladu z mednarodnim pravom in so sorazmerni neizpolnitvi obveznosti iz tega sporazuma. Pri izbiri teh ukrepov morajo imeti prednost tisti, ki najmanj motijo delovanje tega sporazuma. O teh ukrepih se takoj uradno obvesti drugo pogodbenico, pri čemer se na zahtevo druge pogodbenice o njih posvetuje Skupni odbor.
ČLEN 58
Sredstva
Za lažje sodelovanje v okviru tega sporazuma se pogodbenici strinjata, da bosta uradnikom in strokovnjakom, vključenim v izvajanje sodelovanja, v skladu z notranjimi pravili in predpisi pogodbenic zagotovili sredstva, potrebna za izvajanje njihovih nalog.
ČLEN 59
Izjave
Izjave k temu sporazumu so sestavni del tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 60
Ozemeljska uporaba
Ta sporazum se po eni strani uporablja na ozemlju, na katerem se uporablja Pogodba o Evropski uniji pod pogoji iz navedene pogodbe, in po drugi strani na ozemlju Socialistične republike Vietnam.
ČLEN 61
Opredelitev pogodbenic
Za namene tega sporazuma »pogodbenici« po eni strani pomeni Unijo ali njene države članice ali Unijo in njene države članice v skladu z njihovimi pooblastili ter po drugi strani Socialistično republiko Vietnam.
ČLEN 62
Nacionalna varnost in razkritje informacij
Nič v tem sporazumu se ne razlaga v smislu, da bi morala katera od pogodbenic predložiti kakršne koli informacije, za razkritje katerih meni, da so v nasprotju z njenimi bistvenimi varnostnimi interesi.
ČLEN 63
Začetek veljavnosti in trajanje
1. Ta sporazum začne veljati prvi dan v mesecu po dnevu, ko zadnja pogodbenica uradno obvesti drugo pogodbenico, da so končani pravni postopki, potrebni v ta namen.
2. Ta sporazum velja za obdobje petih let. Njegova veljavnost se samodejno podaljšuje za nadaljnja obdobja enega leta, razen če ena od pogodbenic drugo pogodbenico šest mesecev pred iztekom katerega koli nadaljnjega obdobja enega leta pisno uradno obvesti o svoji nameri, da tega sporazuma ne podaljša.
3. Kakršne koli spremembe tega sporazuma se opravijo z dogovorom med pogodbenicama. Kakršne koli spremembe začnejo veljati šele potem, ko druga pogodbenica uradno obvesti prvo pogodbenico, da so končani vsi potrebni uradni postopki.
4. Ta sporazum lahko odpove katera koli pogodbenica s pisnim obvestilom o odpovedi, ki ga pošlje drugi pogodbenici. Odpoved začne veljati šest mesecev po tem, ko druga pogodbenica uradno obvestilo prejme.
ČLEN 64
Uradna obvestila
Uradna obvestila v skladu s členom 63 se predložijo generalnemu sekretariatu Sveta Evropske unije oziroma ministrstvu za zunanje zadeve Vietnama.
ČLEN 65
Verodostojna besedila
Ta sporazum je sestavljen v angleškem, bolgarskem, češkem, danskem, estonskem, finskem, francoskem, grškem, irskem, italijanskem, latvijskem, litovskem, madžarskem, malteškem, nemškem, nizozemskem, poljskem, portugalskem, romunskem, slovaškem, slovenskem, španskem, švedskem in vietnamskem jeziku, pri čemer so besedila v vseh teh jezikih enako verodostojna.
PRILOGA
SKUPNA IZJAVA O STATUSU TRŽNEGA GOSPODARSTVA
Pogodbenici okrepita sodelovanje z namenom, da bi v skladu z ustreznimi postopki čim prej dosegli zgodnje priznanje statusa tržnega gospodarstva Vietnama.
ENOSTRANSKA IZJAVA EVROPSKE UNIJE O SPLOŠNEM SISTEMU PREFERENCIALOV
Evropska unija priznava velik pomen splošnega sistema preferencialov za razvoj trgovine in bo nadaljevala sodelovanje, med drugim na podlagi dialoga, izmenjav in dejavnosti gradnje zmogljivosti, da bi zagotovila optimalno uporabo sistema s strani Vietnama v skladu z ustreznimi postopki pogodbenic in razvijajočo se trgovinsko politiko EU.
SKUPNA IZJAVA GLEDE ČLENA 24
(SODELOVANJE NA PODROČJU BOJA PROTI PRANJU DENARJA IN FINANCIRANJU TERORIZMA)
Pogodbenici se strinjata, da bo Skupni odbor pripravil seznam pristojnih organov za izmenjavo ustreznih informacij iz tega člena.
SKUPNA IZJAVA GLEDE ČLENA 57
(IZPOLNITEV OBVEZNOSTI)
Pogodbenici se strinjata, da za namene pravilne razlage in praktične uporabe tega sporazuma pojem »bistvenih kršitev Sporazuma« iz člena 57(3) v skladu s členom 60(3) Dunajske konvencije o pogodbenem pravu iz leta 1969 (v nadaljnjem besedilu: Dunajska konvencija) pomeni:
(a) zavrnitev sporazuma, ki je Dunajska konvencija ne dovoljuje, ali
(b) kršenje bistvenega elementa Sporazuma, kot je opisano v členu 1(1) in (2) in členu 8.
V primerih bistvenih kršitev Sporazuma se o ukrepu nemudoma uradno obvesti drugo pogodbenico. Skupni odbor na zahtevo druge pogodbenice opravi nujna posvetovanja v obdobju do 30 dni, s katerimi temeljito prouči vse vidike ali podlago za ukrep, da bi se našla rešitev, sprejemljiva za pogodbenici.
F R A M E W O R K A G R E E M E N T
ON COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ITS MEMBER STATES, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM, OF THE OTHER PART
THE EUROPEAN UNION,
hereinafter referred to as "the Union"
and
THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,
THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA,
THE CZECH REPUBLIC,
THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,
THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,
IRELAND,
THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,
THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,
THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,
THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,
THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,
THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,
THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,
THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,
THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY,
MALTA,
THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,
THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,
THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,
ROMANIA,
THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,
THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,
THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,
THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,
THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,
Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, hereinafter referred to as the "Member States",
of the one part, and
THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM, hereinafter referred to as "Viet Nam",
of the other part,
Hereinafter jointly referred to as "the Parties",
CONSIDERING the traditional links of friendship between the Parties and the close historical, political and economic ties which unite them,
WHEREAS the Parties attach particular importance to the comprehensive nature of their mutual relationship, as demonstrated, inter alia, by the Vietnamese "Master Plan for relations between Viet Nam and the European Union until 2010 and orientations towards 2015" of 2005 and the ensuing discussions between the Parties,
WHEREAS the Parties consider that this Agreement forms part of a wider and coherent relationship between them through agreements to which both sides are parties together,
REAFFIRMING their commitment to the general principles of the international law and the purposes and principles of Charter of the United Nations, and the respect for democratic principles and human rights,
REAFFIRMING their respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,
REAFFIRMING their attachment to the principle of good governance and the fight against corruption,
REAFFIRMING their desire to promote economic and social progress for their peoples, taking into account the principle of sustainable development and environmental protection requirements,
CONSIDERING that the International Criminal Court constitutes an important development for peace and international justice, which aims at the effective prosecution of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,
WHEREAS the Parties share the view that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) poses a major threat to international security and wish to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in this area. The adoption by consensus of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1540 underlies the commitment of the whole international community to fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
RECOGNISING the need to strengthen disarmament as well as non-proliferation commitments under international obligations applicable to the Parties,
EXPRESSING their full commitment to fighting all forms of terrorism in conformity with international law, including human rights law and humanitarian law, and to establishing effective international cooperation and instruments to ensure their eradication, and recalling the relevant UNSC Resolutions,
RECOGNISING the importance of the Cooperation Agreement of 7 March 1980 between the European Economic Community and Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – and which was extended to Viet Nam in 1999, as well as the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam of 17 July 1995,
RECOGNISING the importance of strengthening the existing relationship between the Parties with a view to enhancing cooperation between them, and their common will to consolidate, deepen and diversify their relations in areas of mutual interest on the basis of sovereignty, equality, non-discrimination, respect for the natural environment and mutual benefit,
RECOGNISING Viet Nam's status as a developing country and taking account of the Parties' respective levels of development,
RECOGNISING the significant importance of development cooperation to developing countries, especially the low-income and lower middle-income developing countries, for their sustained economic growth, sustainable development and timely and full realisation of the internationally agreed development goals, including the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals,
RECOGNISING the progress made by Viet Nam towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and in the implementation of its Strategy for Socio-Economic Development, as well as its current level of development as a low income developing country,
WHEREAS the Parties attach particular importance to the principles and rules which govern international trade contained in the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the need to apply them in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner,
RECOGNISING that trade plays a significant role in development and the importance of trade preferential programmes,
EXPRESSING their full commitment to promoting sustainable development in all its dimensions, including environmental protection and effective cooperation to combat climate change as well as effective promotion and implementation of internationally recognised labour standards ratified by the Parties,
UNDERLINING the importance of cooperation on migration,
CONFIRMING their desire to enhance, fully in accordance with activities undertaken in a regional framework, the cooperation between the Parties based on shared values and mutual benefit,
NOTING that the provisions of this Agreement that fall within the scope of Part Three, Title V, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union bind the United Kingdom and Ireland as separate Contracting Parties or, alternatively, as part of the European Union, in accordance with the Protocol (No 21) on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The same applies to Denmark, in accordance with the Protocol (No 22) on the position of Denmark annexed to those Treaties,
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
TITLE I
NATURE AND SCOPE
ARTICLE 1
General Principles
1. The Parties confirm their commitment to the general principles of international law as defined in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, reaffirmed in the UN General Assembly Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, of 24 October 1970, and in other relevant international treaties, expressing inter alia the rule of law, and the principle of pacta sunt servanda; and to the respect for democratic principles and human rights, as laid down in the UN General Assembly Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments to which the Parties are Contracting Parties, which underpin the internal and international policies of both Parties and which constitute an essential element of this Agreement.
2. The Parties confirm their commitment to further cooperate towards the full achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, through compliance with the existing mutual international obligations which are applicable to the Parties. This constitutes an essential element of this Agreement. They also confirm their respective commitments to the European Consensus on Development of 2005, the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness agreed at the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in 2005, the Accra Agenda for Action agreed at the Third High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, and the Hanoi Core Statement on Aid Effectiveness agreed in 2006 with a view to further improving development cooperation performance, including progress on untying aid and achieving more predictable aid mechanisms.
3. The Parties confirm their commitment to promoting sustainable development in all its dimensions, cooperating to address the challenges of climate change as well as globalisation and contributing to the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Development Goals.
4. The Parties agree that the implementation of all cooperation activities under this Agreement shall take into account their respective levels of development, needs and capacity.
5. The Parties confirm that trade plays a significant role in development and that trade preferential programmes help to promote the development of developing countries, including Viet Nam.
6. The Parties agree that cooperation under this Agreement will be in accordance with their respective legislation, rules and regulations.
ARTICLE 2
Aims of Cooperation
With a view to strengthening their bilateral relationship, the Parties undertake to hold a comprehensive dialogue and promote further cooperation between them on all sectors of mutual interest. Their efforts will in particular be aimed at:
(a) establishing cooperation bilaterally and in all relevant regional and international fora and organisations;
(b) developing trade and investment between the Parties to their mutual advantage;
(c) establishing cooperation in all trade and investment-related areas of mutual interest, in order to facilitate sustainable trade and investment flows and to prevent and remove obstacles to trade and investment, in a consistent and complementary manner with respect to ongoing and future regional EU-ASEAN initiatives;
(d) working through development cooperation towards eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable development, combating emerging challenges such as climate change and communicable diseases, deepening economic reform and integrating into the world economy;
(e) establishing cooperation in the area of justice and security, including the rule of law and legal cooperation, data protection, migration, combating organised crime, money laundering and illicit drugs;
(f) fostering cooperation in all other sectors of mutual interest, including human rights; economic policy; financial services; taxation; industrial policy and small and medium-sized enterprises; information and communication technologies; science and technology; energy; transport; urban and regional planning and development; tourism; education and training; culture; climate change; environment and natural resources; agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries and rural development; health; statistics; labour, employment and social affairs; reform of public administration; associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs); natural disaster prevention and mitigation; gender equality;
(g) enhancing existing and encourage new participation of both Parties within sub-regional and regional cooperation programmes open to the participation of the other Party;
(h) establishing cooperation on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery; combating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects; remnants of war;
(i) establishing cooperation on combating terrorism;
(j) raising the roles and profiles of the Parties in each others' regions through various means, including cultural exchanges, use of information technology and education;
(k) promoting people-to-people understanding inter alia through cooperation among entities such as think tanks, academics, business and the media in the form of seminars, conferences, youth interaction and other activities.
ARTICLE 3
Cooperation in Regional and International Organisations
1. The Parties undertake to exchange views and cooperate in regional and international fora and organisations, including the United Nations and its agencies and organisations, the ASEAN-EU dialogue, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
2. The Parties also agree to promote cooperation in these fields between think tanks, academics, NGOs, business and the media through the organisation of seminars, conferences and other related activities, provided that such cooperation is based on mutual consent.
ARTICLE 4
Bilateral and Regional Cooperation
1. For each sector of dialogue and cooperation under this Agreement, and while giving due emphasis to matters under bilateral cooperation, the Parties agree to carry out the related activities at either bilateral or regional level or through a combination of both frameworks. In choosing the appropriate framework, the Parties will seek to maximise the impact on, and reinforce the involvement of, all interested parties, while making the best possible use of available resources, taking account of the political and institutional feasibility, and ensuring coherence with other activities involving the Union and ASEAN. Cooperation may, as appropriate, include support for ASEAN integration and community building.
2. The Parties may, as appropriate, decide to extend financial support to cooperation activities in the areas covered by the agreement or in relation to it, in accordance with their respective financial procedures and resources. This cooperation may in particular support the implementation of Viet Nam's socio-economic reforms, and may include capacity-building measures such as the organisation of training schemes, workshops and seminars, the exchange of experts, studies, and other actions agreed by the Parties in accordance with donor development assistance strategies.
TITLE II
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
ARTICLE 5
General Principles
1. The central objectives of development cooperation are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals as well as poverty eradication, sustainable development and integration into the world economy. The objectives of development cooperation shall take account of Viet Nam's socio-economic development strategies and programmes. The Parties recognise that development cooperation between them is key to addressing Viet Nam's development challenges.
2. The Parties agree to promote cooperation activities in accordance with their respective procedures and resources.
ARTICLE 6
Aims of Cooperation
The development cooperation strategies of the Parties shall aim at, inter alia:
(a) achieving sustained economic growth;
(b) promoting human and social development;
(c) promoting institutional reforms and development;
(d) promoting environmental sustainability, regeneration and best practices, and the preservation of natural resources;
(e) preventing and tackling the consequences of climate change;
(f) supporting policies and instruments aimed at the progressive integration into the world economy and trade.
ARTICLE 7
Forms of Cooperation
1. For each sector of cooperation under this Title, the Parties agree to carry out activities at bilateral or regional level or through a combination of both, including through tripartite cooperation.
2. The forms of cooperation between the Parties may include:
(a) development and technical assistance to the programmes and projects as agreed by the Parties;
(b) capacity building through training courses, workshops and seminars, the exchange of experts, studies, and joint research between the Parties;
(c) consideration of other forms of development financing as appropriate;
(d) the exchange of information on best practices of aid effectiveness.
TITLE III
PEACE AND SECURITY
ARTICLE 8
Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Means of Delivery
1. The Parties consider that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, both to state and non-state actors, represents one of the most serious threats to international stability and security, while reaffirming the Parties' legitimate rights to research, develop, use, trade and transfer biological, chemical and nuclear technology and related materials for peaceful purposes in accordance with the treaties and conventions to which they are parties. The Parties therefore agree to cooperate in and to contribute to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery through full compliance with and national implementation of their respective existing obligations under international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements and relevant international obligations which are applicable to the Parties. The Parties agree that this provision constitutes an essential element of the Agreement.
2. The Parties furthermore agree to cooperate in and to contribute to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery by:
(a) taking steps to sign, ratify, or accede to, as appropriate, all other relevant international treaties and agreements, and to fully implement their respective obligations;
(b) establishing, with due regard to each Party's capacity, an effective system of national export controls, controlling the export and transit of WMD-related goods, including a WMD end-use control on dual use technologies and containing effective sanctions for breaches of export controls in line with UNSC Resolution 1540 without affecting normal and legal import and export activities and financial transactions. This may include the provision of assistance, including capacity building.
3. The Parties agree to pursue a regular political dialogue that will accompany and consolidate these elements.
ARTICLE 9
Cooperation in Combating Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in All Its Aspects
1. The Parties recognise that the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons, in all its aspects, including their excessive accumulation, and uncontrolled spread continue to pose a serious threat to peace and international security, while reaffirming the legitimate rights of the Parties to manufacture, import and retain small arms and light weapons for their self-defence and security needs. In this regard, the Parties recall the relevant contents of UN General Assembly Resolutions 64/50 and 64/51.
2. The Parties agree to observe and fully implement their respective obligations to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, in all its aspects, under existing international agreements to which the Parties are contracting parties and under UN Security Council resolutions, as well as their commitments within the framework of other relevant international instruments applicable in this area, such as the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects.
3. The Parties undertake to establish a dialogue, as appropriate, in order to exchange views and information and develop a common understanding of the issues and problems related to illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, and to strengthen the ability of the Parties to prevent, combat and eradicate such trade.
ARTICLE 10
Cooperation in Combating Terrorism
The Parties reaffirm the importance of the fight against terrorism in full respect for the law, including the UN Charter, human rights law, refugee law and international humanitarian law. Within this framework and in accordance with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, contained in UN General Assembly Resolution 60/288, and in the EU-ASEAN Joint Declaration of 28 January 2003 on co-operation to combat terrorism, the Parties agree to strengthen cooperation in the prevention and suppression of terrorism.
The Parties shall do so in particular:
(a) in the framework of the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1373 and other relevant UN resolutions, and taking steps to ratify and fully implement international conventions and instruments on fighting and preventing terrorism;
(b) by establishing under the Joint Committee regular consultations on cooperation on countering and preventing terrorism;
(c) by the exchange of information on terrorist groups and their support networks in accordance with international and national law and, subject to the Parties' programmes and instruments, by providing support for capacity building in countering and preventing terrorism;
(d) by the exchange of views on means and methods used to counter terrorism and incitement of terrorist acts, including in technical fields and training, and by the exchange of experiences in respect of terrorism prevention;
(e) by cooperating so as to deepen the international consensus on the fight against terrorism and its normative framework and by working towards an agreement on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism as soon as possible so as to complement the existing UN counter-terrorism instruments;
(f) by promoting cooperation among UN Member States to effectively implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy;
(g) by the exchange of best practices in the area of protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism.
ARTICLE 11
Legal Cooperation
1. The Parties agree to cooperate on legal matters, the strengthening of the rule of law and of institutions at all levels in the areas of administration of justice and law enforcement.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate on the enhancement of the judicial capacity and legal system in such areas as civil law, civil procedural law, criminal law and criminal procedural law, as well as to engage in an exchange of information concerning legal systems and legislation.
3. The Parties also agree to cooperate in the field of international criminal justice. The Parties consider that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community must not go unpunished and that their effective prosecution must be ensured by taking relevant measures at the appropriate level.
4. The Parties consider that the International Criminal Court is a progressive and independent institution operating for the purpose of international peace and justice. The Parties agree to cooperate with a view to strengthening the legal framework aimed at preventing and punishing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and to consider the possibility of adherence to the Rome Statute. The Parties agree that dialogue and cooperation on this matter would be beneficial.
TITLE IV
COOPERATION ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT ISSUES
ARTICLE 12
General Principles
1. The Parties shall engage in a dialogue on bilateral and multilateral trade and trade-related issues with a view to strengthening bilateral trade relations and advancing the multilateral trade system.
2. The Parties undertake to promote the development and diversification of their commercial exchanges to the highest possible level and to their mutual benefit. They undertake to achieve enhanced and predictable market access conditions by working towards the elimination of barriers to trade, in particular through the timely removal of non-tariff barriers and restrictions to trade, and by taking measures to improve transparency, having regard to the work carried out in this field by international organisations of which both Parties are members.
3. Recognising that trade plays an indispensable role in development, and that trade preferences schemes, including the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), and the special and differential treatment as specified by WTO have proven beneficial to developing countries, the Parties shall endeavour to strengthen consultations on their effective implementation.
4. The Parties shall take into consideration their respective levels of development for the implementation of this Title.
5. The Parties shall keep each other informed concerning the development of trade and trade-related policies such as agricultural policy, food safety policy, consumer policy and environmental policy.
6. The Parties shall encourage dialogue and cooperation to develop their trade and investment relations, including the solution of commercial problems and the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building programmes to address trade issues in, inter alia, the areas referred to under this Title.
7. With a view to unleashing their potentials and utilising their economic complementarity, the Parties endeavour to explore and seek more opportunities and solutions to strengthen their trade and investment relations, including, where appropriate, negotiation of free trade and other agreements of mutual interest.
ARTICLE 13
Trade Development
1. The Parties undertake to develop, diversify and increase trade between them and to improve the competitiveness of their products on domestic, regional and international markets. Cooperation between the Parties towards this end shall aim at in particular strengthening capacity building in areas such as trade development strategies, optimisation of the potential for trade, including GSP preferences, competitiveness, promotion of technology transfer between enterprises, transparency of policies, laws and regulations, market information, institutional development as well as regional networking.
2. The Parties shall make full use of the Aid for Trade and other supplementary assistance programmes for the purposes of enhancement of trade and investment between them.
ARTICLE 14
Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Animal Welfare Issues
1. The Parties reaffirm their existing rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS).
2. The Parties shall strengthen cooperation and exchange information on legislation, implementation, certification, inspection and surveillance procedures on SPS in trade between the Parties within the framework of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Office International des Épizooties (OIE) and the CODEX Alimentarius.
3. The Parties further agree to cooperate on SPS matters and to promote cooperation in this field between the Parties, through capacity building and technical assistance, which shall be specific to the needs of each Party and aimed at assisting them to comply with each others' legal framework including food safety, plant and animal health and the use of international standards.
4. The Parties agree to cooperate on animal welfare as necessary, including technical assistance and capacity building for the development of animal welfare standards.
5. The Parties shall designate contact points for communication on issues under this Article.
ARTICLE 15
Technical Barriers to Trade
1. The Parties shall promote the use of international standards and cooperate and exchange information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures, especially within the framework of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
2. The Parties endeavour to exchange information from early stages of formulating new legislation in the TBT field. To this end, the Parties shall encourage any measures aiming at bridging the gaps between them in the area of conformity assessment and standardisation and improving the convergence and compatibility between the respective systems of the Parties in this area. The Parties agree to exchange views on, and to explore the possibility to apply, third party certification with a view to facilitate the flows of trade between them.
3. Cooperation in technical barriers to trade shall be undertaken, inter alia, through dialogue in appropriate channels, joint projects, technical assistance and capacity-building programmes. The Parties shall designate, when necessary, contact points for communication on issues under this Article.
ARTICLE 16
Cooperation on Customs Matters and Trade Facilitation
1. The Parties shall:
(a) share experience and best practices in and examine possibilities for simplifying import, export and other customs procedures;
(b) ensure the transparency of customs and trade facilitation regulations;
(c) develop cooperation on customs matters, and effective mutual administrative assistance mechanisms;
(d) seek convergence of views and joint action in the context of relevant international initiatives including trade facilitation.
2. The Parties will pay special attention to, inter alia:
(a) increasing the security and safety dimension of international trade;
(b) ensuring a more effective and efficient customs enforcement of intellectual property rights;
(c) ensuring a balanced approach between trade facilitation and the fight against fraud and irregularities.
3. Without prejudice to other forms of cooperation, provided for under this Agreement, the Parties state their interest in considering, in the future, the conclusion of protocols on customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance, within the institutional framework laid down in this Agreement.
4. The Parties shall endeavour to mobilise technical assistance resources to support the implementation of cooperation on customs matters and of trade facilitation regulations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 17
Investment
The Parties shall encourage a greater flow of investment through the development of an attractive and stable environment for investment through a consistent dialogue aimed at enhancing understanding and cooperation on investment issues, exploring administrative mechanisms to facilitate investment flows, and promoting stable, transparent, open rules and a level playing field for the Parties' investors.
ARTICLE 18
Competition policy
1. The Parties shall maintain competition laws and regulations and authorities. They will apply these laws in an effective, non-discriminatory and transparent way in order to foster legal certainty in their respective territories.
2. To this end, the Parties may engage in capacity building and other cooperation activities in the development and implementation of competition laws and regulations, subject to the availability of funding under the Parties' cooperation instruments and programmes.
ARTICLE 19
Services
The Parties shall establish a regular dialogue notably aimed at exchanging information on their respective regulatory environments with a view to identify best practices, promoting access to each other's markets, including e-commerce, promoting access to sources of capital and technology, and promoting trade in services between both regions and in third countries' markets.
ARTICLE 20
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
1. The Parties reaffirm the great importance they attach to the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) and the full implementation of international commitments on protection of IPR, with a view to ensuring adequate and effective protection of such rights, in accordance with the relevant international standards/agreements, such as the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), including effective means of enforcement.
2. The Parties agree to enhance cooperation on intellectual property protection and enforcement, including on appropriate means to facilitate protection and registration of the other party's geographical indications in their respective territories, taking into account international rules, practices and developments in this area and their respective capacity.
3. The cooperation shall be implemented in the forms agreed by the Parties, including the exchange of information and experiences on issues such as the practice, promotion, dissemination, streamlining, management, harmonisation, protection, enforcement and effective application of intellectual property rights, the prevention of abuses of such rights, and the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, including the establishment and strengthening of organisations for the control and protection of such rights.
ARTICLE 21
Enhanced Participation of Economic Actors
1. The Parties shall encourage and facilitate the operation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well as cooperation among professional associations of the Parties with a view to promoting trade and investment in areas of interest to both Parties.
2. The Parties shall encourage a dialogue between their respective regulatory bodies and private sector actors with a view to discussing recent developments in the trade and investment environment, exploring development needs of the private sector and exchanging views on policy frameworks for strengthening corporate competitiveness.
ARTICLE 22
Consultations
With a view to ensuring security and predictability in their bilateral trade relationship, the Parties agree to consult each other expeditiously and as quickly as possible, upon request by a Party, concerning any matters of difference which may arise in connection with trade or trade related matters under this Title.
TITLE V
COOPERATION IN THE AREA OF JUSTICE
ARTICLE 23
Combating Organised Crime
The Parties agree to cooperate combating organised, economic and financial crime as well as corruption. Such cooperation aims in particular at implementing and promoting relevant international standards and instruments, such as the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its supplementing Protocols and the UN Convention against Corruption, where applicable.
ARTICLE 24
Cooperation in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
1. The Parties agree on the need to work towards and to cooperate on preventing the risk that their financial systems are abused and that the proceeds of any serious criminal activities are laundered, as recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
2. Both Parties agree to promote training and technical assistance aimed at the development and implementation of regulations and the efficient functioning of mechanisms to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. In particular, cooperation shall allow for the exchange of relevant information between the competent authorities of the Parties within the framework of their respective legislation on the basis of appropriate standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism equivalent to those adopted by the Parties and the international bodies active in this area, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
ARTICLE 25
Cooperation against Illicit Drugs
1. The Parties shall cooperate to ensure a comprehensive and balanced approach, through effective action and coordination between the competent authorities, including from the law enforcement, customs, health, justice and interior sectors and other relevant sectors, with the aim of reducing the supply (including illicit cultivation of opium poppies and production of synthetic drugs) and trafficking of, and demand for, illicit drugs as well as their impact on drug users and society at large, and to achieve more effective precursors control.
2. The Parties shall agree on means of cooperation to attain these objectives. Actions shall be based on commonly agreed principles along the lines of the relevant international conventions to which they are parties; the Political Declaration, the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction, and the Measures to Enhance International Cooperation to Counter the World Drug Problem, adopted by the 20th UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs in June 1998; and the Political Declaration and the Plan of Action adopted at the 52nd session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2009.
3. The cooperation between the Parties shall comprise technical and administrative assistance in particular in the following areas: drafting of national legislation and policies; establishment of national institutions and information and monitoring centres; training of personnel; drug related research; efforts to reduce the demand for, and the harm from, drugs; and judicial and police cooperation; and effective precursors control as it relates to the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The Parties may agree to include other areas.
ARTICLE 26
Protection of Personal Data
1. The Parties agree to cooperate in order to improve the level of protection of personal data to the highest international standards, as appropriate, such as those contained in international instruments, in so far as they apply to the Parties.
2. Cooperation on protection of personal data may include, inter alia, technical assistance in the form of an exchange of information and expertise.
TITLE VI
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER AREAS OF COOPERATION
ARTICLE 27
Cooperation on Migration
1. The Parties reaffirm the importance of joint efforts to manage migratory flows between their territories. With a view to strengthening cooperation, the Parties shall establish a comprehensive dialogue on all migration-related issues. Migration concerns shall be included in the national strategies for economic and social development of countries of origin, transit and destination of migrants.
2. Cooperation between the Parties shall be based on a specific needs-assessment conducted in mutual consultation between the Parties and be implemented in accordance with the relevant Union and national legislation in force. Cooperation will focus, inter alia, on:
(a) addressing the root causes of migration;
(b) engaging in a comprehensive dialogue on legal migration, aiming at, as mutually agreed, the setting up of mechanisms for promoting legal migration opportunities;
(c) exchanging experiences and practices regarding the adherence to and implementation of the provisions of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, signed on 28 July 1951, and the Protocol thereto, signed on 31 January 1967, especially the principles of "non refoulement" and "voluntary repatriation";
(d) admission rules, as well as the rights and status of persons admitted, fair treatment and integration of lawfully residing non-nationals, education and training, measures against racism and xenophobia;
(e) the establishment of an effective and preventive policy against illegal immigration, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings, including ways to combat networks of smugglers and traffickers and protect the victims of such trafficking;
(f) the return, under humane and dignified conditions, of persons residing illegally including the promotion of their voluntary return, and the readmission of such persons in accordance with paragraph 3;
(g) issues identified as being of mutual interest in the field of visas and security of travel documents;
(h) issues identified as being of mutual interest in the field of border controls;
(i) technical and human capacity building.
3. Within the framework of the cooperation to prevent and control illegal immigration and without prejudice to the need for protection of victims of human trafficking, the Parties further agree that:
(a) once the Vietnamese nationality of a person to be readmitted has been established by the competent authorities of Viet Nam in accordance with national legislations or relevant existing agreements, Viet Nam shall readmit any of its nationals illegally present on the territory of a Member State, upon request by the competent authorities of the latter and without undue delay;
(b) once the nationality of a person to be readmitted has been established by the competent authorities of the Member State concerned in accordance with national legislations or relevant existing agreements, each Member State shall readmit any of its nationals illegally present on the territory of Viet Nam, upon request by the competent authorities of the latter and without undue delay.
The Parties will provide their nationals with appropriate identity documents for such purposes. When the person to be readmitted does not possess any documents or other proofs of nationality, the competent authorities of the Member State concerned or Viet Nam shall, upon request by Viet Nam or the Member State concerned, make arrangements to interview the person in order to establish nationality.
4. Subject to their respective laws and procedures, the Parties will enhance their cooperation on readmission issues, aiming, upon request by either Party, and as mutually agreed, at the negotiation of an agreement between the EU and Viet Nam on the readmission of their respective citizens.
ARTICLE 28
Education and Training
1. The Parties agree to promote cooperation in education and training that duly respects their diversity in order to strengthen mutual understanding and agree to raise awareness about education opportunities in the EU and in Viet Nam.
2. The Parties shall furthermore place emphasis on measures designed to create links between their respective higher education institutions and specialist agencies and to encourage the exchange of information, know-how, students, experts and technical resources, taking advantage of the facilities offered by Union programmes in Southeast Asia in the area of education and training as well as the experience that both Parties have acquired in this area.
3. Both sides also agree to promote the implementation of relevant programmes for higher education such as the Erasmus Mundus programme and conference interpreter training programmes and encourage educational institutions in the EU and in Viet Nam to cooperate in joint degree and research programmes with a view to encouraging academic cooperation and mobility.
4. The Parties further agree to start a dialogue on matters of mutual interest relating to the modernisation of higher education and technical and vocational training system, which could notably include measures for technical assistance, aimed at, inter alia, improving the qualification framework and quality assurance.
ARTICLE 29
Health
1. The Parties agree to cooperate in the health sector with a view to improving health conditions and social welfare, in particular strengthening the health system, including health care and health insurance.
2. Cooperation shall take place mainly on:
(a) programmes aiming at strengthening the health sector, including the improvement of health systems, health services and health conditions as well as social welfare;
(b) joint activities on epidemiology, including collaboration in the early prevention and control of epidemics such as avian and pandemic influenza and other major communicable diseases;
(c) international agreements in health, in particular the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the International Health Regulations;
(d) food safety standards, including automatic control network for food imports, as covered by Article 14;
(e) the exchange of information, experience on pharmaceutical and medical equipment policies and regulations, as mutually agreed;
(f) the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases through the exchange of information and good practices, promoting a healthy lifestyle, addressing major health determinants as well as surveillance and management of these diseases.
3. The Parties recognise the importance of further modernisation of the health sector and agree to strengthen capacity building and technical assistance in the health sector.
ARTICLE 30
Environment and natural resources
1. The Parties agree on the need to conserve and manage in a sustainable manner natural resources and biological diversity as a basis for the development of current and future generations.
2. The Parties agree that cooperation in this area shall promote the conservation and improvement of the environment in pursuit of sustainable development. The outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development shall be taken into account in all activities undertaken by the Parties under this Agreement.
3. The Parties agree to cooperate with a view to enhancing the mutual supportiveness of environmental policies and the integration of environmental considerations into all sectors of cooperation.
4. The Parties undertake to continue and strengthen their cooperation specifically as regards:
(a) promoting the active participation of the Parties in the implementation of multilateral environment agreements to which they are parties, including the Basel Convention, the Stockholm Convention and the Rotterdam Convention;
(b) promoting environmental awareness and enhancing local participation, including the participation of indigenous and local communities in environmental protection and sustainable development efforts;
(c) promoting and deploying environmental technologies, products and services, including through the use of regulatory and market-based instruments;
(d) preventing illegal transboundary movements of waste, including hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances;
(e) improving ambient air quality, environmentally sound management of waste, chemicals safety, sustainable integrated water resource management and promoting sustainable consumption and production;
(f) sustainable development and protection of forests, including the promotion of sustainable forest management, forest certification, measures to combat illegal logging and its associated trade, and the integration of forestry development into local community development;
(g) effective management of national parks and recognition and conservation of biodiversity areas and vulnerable ecosystems, with due regards for local and indigenous communities living in or near these areas;
(h) protecting and preserving coastal and marine environment and promoting the efficient management of marine resources in order to achieve a sustainable marine development;
(i) protecting soil and preserving soil functions and sustainable land management;
(j) enhancing land management capacity, transparent land economics and sound operation of the real estate market, based on the principle of Sustainable Land Management and equitable rights for stakeholders, in order to ensure both effective use and environmental protection for sustainable development.
5. To these ends, the Parties shall aim at strengthening cooperation, through bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including technical assistance programmes with a view to promoting the development, transfer and utilisation of environment-friendly technologies, as well as initiatives and partnership arrangements based on the principle of mutual benefit for an early realisation of the Millennium Development Goals.
ARTICLE 31
Cooperation on Climate Change
1. The Parties agree to cooperate to accelerate the fight against climate change and its impact on environmental degradation and poverty, promote policies to help mitigate climate change and adapt to the negative effects of climate change, especially the rise of sea level, and to set their economies on sustainable low-carbon growth paths.
2. The objectives of the cooperation shall be to:
(a) combat climate change, with the overall goal of a transition to low-carbon economies that are safe and sustainable, through concrete mitigation actions in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
(b) improve the energy performances of their economies, by promoting energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of safe and sustainable renewable energy, and to move to climate-friendly generation that contributes to laying the foundation for a green energy revolution;
(c) promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) patterns in their economies, contributing to minimising pressures on the eco-systems, including soils and climate;
(d) adapt to the inevitable and adverse impact of climate change, including the integration of adaptation measures into the Parties' growth and development strategies and planning in all sectors and at all levels.
3. In order to achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, the Parties shall:
(a) intensify policy dialogue and cooperation at the technical level;
(b) promote cooperation on Research and Development (R&D) activities and low-emission technologies;
(c) strengthen cooperation on nationally appropriate mitigation actions, low carbon growth plans, national programmes for adaptation to climate change and on Disasters Risks Reduction;
(d) enhance capacity building and strengthen institutions to address climate change challenges;
(e) promote awareness raising, especially for the most vulnerable populations and those living in vulnerable areas, and facilitate the participation of local communities in response to climate change.
ARTICLE 32
Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development
1. The Parties agree to enhance cooperation, including through strengthened dialogue and the exchange of experience, in agriculture, forestry, livestock, fisheries and rural development, in particular in the following areas:
(a) agricultural policy and international agricultural outlook in general;
(b) facilitation of trade between the Parties in plants and animals and their products, and market development and promotion;
(c) development policy in rural areas;
(d) quality policy for plants, animals and aquatic products, and in particular Protected Geographical Indications and organic production; marketing of quality products, notably organic and geographical indication products (labelling, certification and control);
(e) animal welfare;
(f) development of sustainable and environmentally-friendly agriculture and on the transfer of bio-technologies;
(g) supporting sustainable and responsible long-term marine and fisheries policy including conservation and management of coastal and marine resources;
(h) promoting efforts to prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices and illegal logging and trade in forestry products through Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and Volunteer Partnership Agreement (VPA);
(i) heredity research, variety selection of animals and plants, including high-quality livestock improvement, and research on feed and nutrition for terrestrial and aquatic animals;
(j) mitigation of negative effects of climate change on agricultural production and poverty reduction in remote and rural areas;
(k) supporting and promoting sustainable forest management, including climate change adaptation and mitigation of negative effects.
2. The Parties agree to examine possibilities for technical assistance in plant and animal productions, including but not limited to improvement of animal and plant productivity and product quality, and further agree to consider capacity-building programmes aimed at building managerial capability in this field.
ARTICLE 33
Cooperation Related to Gender Equality
1. The Parties shall cooperate in strengthening gender-related policies and programmes, as well as institutional and administrative capacity building and supporting the implementation of national strategies on gender equality, including women's rights and empowerment, in order to ensure the equitable participation of men and women in all sectors of economic, cultural, political and social life. In particular, the cooperation shall focus on improving women's access to necessary resources for the full exercise of their fundamental rights.
2. The Parties shall promote the creation of an adequate framework to:
(a) ensure that gender-related issues are duly incorporated into all development strategies, policies and programmes;
(b) exchange experiences and models in promoting gender equality, and promote the adoption of positive measures in favour of women.
ARTICLE 34
Cooperation on Addressing Remnants of War
The Parties recognise the importance of cooperation in the clearance of mines, bombs and other unexploded ordnances and observing international treaties to which they are parties, taking into account other relevant international instruments. The Parties therefore agree to cooperate through:
(a) experience sharing and dialogue, management capacity enhancement, and training of experts, researchers, and specialised experts, including capacity-building assistance subject to their domestic procedures to address the issues noted above;
(b) communication and education on the prevention of accidents caused by bombs and mines, rehabilitation and community reintegration for the victims of bombs and mines.
ARTICLE 35
Cooperation on Human Rights
1. The Parties agree to cooperate in the promotion and protection of human rights, including with regard to the implementation of international human rights instruments to which they are parties.
Technical assistance will be provided to this end.
2. Such cooperation may include:
(a) human rights promotion and education;
(b) strengthening of human rights-related institutions;
(c) strengthening the existing human rights dialogue;
(d) strengthening of cooperation within the human rights-related institutions of the UN.
ARTICLE 36
Reform of Public Administration
The Parties, based upon specific needs-assessment conducted through mutual consultation, agree to cooperate with a view to restructuring and improving the effectiveness of their public administration, inter alia by:
(a) improving organisational efficiency, including decentralisation;
(b) increasing institutions' effectiveness in service delivery;
(c) improving the management of public finance and accountability in accordance with the Parties' respective laws and regulations;
(d) improving the legal and institutional framework;
(e) building capacities for policy design and implementation (public service delivery, budget composition and execution, anti-corruption);
(f) building capacity of law enforcement mechanisms and agencies;
(g) reforming the public service, agencies and administrative procedures;
(h) capacity building for modernisation of the public administration.
ARTICLE 37
Associations and Non-governmental Organisations
1. The Parties recognise the role and potential contribution of associations and NGOs, including the social partners, in the cooperation process under this Agreement.
2. In accordance with democratic principles and legal and administrative provisions of each Party, organised associations and NGOs may:
(a) participate in the policy-making process;
(b) be informed of and participate in consultations on development and cooperation strategies and sectoral policies, particularly in areas concerning them, including all stages of the development process;
(c) receive financial resources, insofar as the internal rules of each Party so allow, and capacity-building support in critical areas;
(d) participate in the implementation of cooperation programmes in the areas that concern them.
ARTICLE 38
Culture
1. The Parties agree to promote multi-faceted cultural cooperation that duly respects their diversity in order to increase mutual understanding and the knowledge of their respective cultures.
2. The Parties endeavour to take appropriate measures to promote cultural exchanges and carry out joint initiatives in various cultural spheres including cooperation in heritage conservation with respect to cultural diversity. In this regard, the Parties agree to continue cooperating within the framework of the Asia-Europe-Meeting (ASEM) supporting the activities of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). To this end, the Parties shall support and promote long-term partnership and cooperation activities between their cultural institutions.
3. The Parties agree to consult and cooperate in relevant international fora, such as UNESCO, in order to pursue common objectives and promote cultural diversity as well as the protection of cultural heritage. In this regard, the Parties agree to promote the ratification and strengthen cooperation in the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which was adopted on 20 October 2005, placing emphasis on policy dialogue, integrating culture into sustainable development and poverty reduction, with a view to fostering the emergence of a dynamic cultural sector by facilitating the development of cultural industries. The Parties shall continue efforts to encourage other states to ratify that Convention.
ARTICLE 39
Scientific and Technological Cooperation
1. The Parties agree to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including industry, energy, transport, environment, in particular climate change and natural resources management (e.g. fishery, forestry and rural development), agriculture and food security, biotechnologies, and human and animal health, taking account of their respective policies and cooperation programmes.
2. The aims of such cooperation shall be, inter alia, to:
(a) encourage the exchange of scientific and technological information and know-how, including on the implementation of policies and programmes;
(b) promote enduring relations and research partnerships between scientific communities, research centres, universities and industries;
(c) promote human resources training in science and technology;
(d) strengthen the application of scientific and technological research for promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life.
3. Cooperation shall take the following forms:
(a) joint R&D projects and programmes;
(b) the exchange of information, knowledge and experience through joint organisation of scientific seminars and workshops, meetings, symposia and conferences;
(c) the training and exchange of scientists, junior researchers through international mobility schemes and exchange programmes, providing for the maximum dissemination of the results of research, learning and best practices;
(d) other forms as mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
4. In this cooperation, the Parties shall favour the participation of their respective higher education institutions, research centres and productive sectors, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises. The cooperation activities should be based on the principles of reciprocity, fair treatment and mutual benefits, and ensure an adequate protection of intellectual property.
5. Specific priorities of cooperation shall be accorded to inter alia the following areas:
(a) the promotion and facilitation of access to designated research facilities for the exchange and training of researchers;
(b) encourage the integration of R&D in investment and official development assistance programmes/projects.
6. The Parties shall endeavor to mobilise financial sources to support the implementation of scientific and technological cooperation activities under this Agreement within their capacities.
7. The Parties agree to make all efforts to increase public awareness about possibilities offered by their respective programmes for science and technology cooperation.
ARTICLE 40
Cooperation on Information and Communication Technologies
1. Recognising that information and communication technologies (ICT) are key elements of modern life and of vital importance to economic and social development, the Parties agree to exchange views on the respective policies in this field with a view to promoting economic and social development.
2. Cooperation in this area shall, inter alia, focus on:
(a) facilitating dialogue on different aspects of ICT development;
(b) ICT capacity building including human resource development;
(c) interconnection and interoperability of the Parties' and Southeast Asian networks and services;
(d) standardisation and dissemination of new ICT;
(e) promotion of R&D cooperation between the Parties in the area of ICT;
(f) security issues/aspects of ICT as well as fighting cyber crime;
(g) conformity assessment of telecommunications, including radio equipment;
(h) cooperation and sharing experiences and best practices on introduction of information technology to the whole society and public administration;
(i) facilitating cooperation between their relevant institutions and agents in areas of audio-visual and media sectors;
(j) encouraging further cooperation between the Parties' ICT enterprises including technology transfer.
ARTICLE 41
Transport
1. The Parties agree to further reinforce their cooperation in relevant areas of transport policy with a view to enhancing and expanding investment opportunities, improving the movement of goods and passengers, promoting maritime and aviation safety and security, more particularly search and rescue, combating piracy, and broader regulatory convergence, reducing environmental impacts of transport, and increasing the efficiency of their transport systems.
2. Cooperation between the Parties in this area shall aim to promote:
(a) the exchange of information on their respective transport policies and practices, especially regarding urban, rural, maritime and air transport, urban transport planning, transport logistics, public transport development and the interconnection and interoperability of multimodal transport networks;
(b) the exchange of information on the European global satellite navigation system (Galileo) by using appropriate bilateral instruments, with a focus on regulatory, industrial and market development issues of mutual interest;
(c) joint actions in the field of air transport services through, inter alia, the implementation of existing agreements, the examination of possibilities for the further development of relations, as well as technical and regulatory cooperation in areas such as aviation safety, aviation security, and air traffic management with a view to supporting regulatory convergence and to the removal of obstacles to doing business. On this basis, the Parties will explore the possible scope for enhanced cooperation in the area of civil aviation;
(d) a dialogue in the field of maritime transport services aiming at unrestricted access to the international maritime markets and trades on a commercial basis, commitments for the phasing out of existing cargo reservation schemes, the abstention from introducing cargo sharing clauses, the establishment within maritime transport of services including auxiliary services, national treatment and MFN clauses regarding access for auxiliary services and port services for vessels operated by nationals or companies of the other Party, and issues related to door-to-door transport services;
(e) the implementation of security, safety and pollution prevention standards, notably as regards maritime and air transport, in line with the relevant international conventions, including cooperation in the appropriate international fora aiming to ensure better enforcement of international regulations. To this end, the Parties will promote technical cooperation and assistance on issues related to transport safety, including search and rescue, investigation into casualties and accidents.
ARTICLE 42
Energy
1. The Parties agree to enhance cooperation in the energy sector with a view to:
(a) diversifying energy supplies in order to improve energy security, and develop new innovative and renewable forms of energy, including sustainable biofuels and biomass in conformity with country-specific conditions, wind and solar energy, as well as hydro power generation, and supporting the development of appropriate policy frameworks to create favourable conditions for investment and a level playing field for renewable energy and the integration into relevant policy areas;
(b) achieving rational use of energy with contributions from both supply and demand sides by promoting energy efficiency in energy production, transportation, distribution and end-use;
(c) fostering the transfer of technology aimed at sustainable energy production and use;
(d) enhancing capacity-building and facilitation of investment in the field based on transparent and non-discriminatory commercial rules;
(e) addressing the links between affordable access to energy services and sustainable development.
2. To these ends, the Parties agree to promote contacts and joint research as well as enhance technical assistance and capacity-building projects through appropriate regional fora on clean production and environmental protection to the mutual benefit of the Parties. Both sides will explore further possibilities for enhanced cooperation in nuclear safety and security within their existing legal framework and policies.
ARTICLE 43
Tourism
1. Guided by the World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and by the sustainability principles based on the "Local Agenda 21 process", the Parties shall aim to improve the exchange of information and establish best practice in order to ensure a balanced and sustainable development of tourism.
2. The Parties agree to develop cooperation on, inter alia:
(a) safeguarding and maximising the potential of natural and cultural heritage;
(b) mitigating the negative impacts of tourism;
(c) enhancing the positive contribution of the tourism business to the sustainable development of local communities, inter alia, by developing eco-tourism and cultural tourism, while respecting the integrity and interests of local and indigenous communities;
(d) technical assistance and capacity-building, including training programmes for policy makers and tourism managers;
(e) encouraging the tourism industry including tour operators and travel agents of both Parties to further develop bilateral cooperation including training.
ARTICLE 44
Industrial Policy and SME cooperation
The Parties, taking into account their respective economic policies and objectives, agree to promote industrial policy cooperation in all fields deemed suitable, with a view to improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, inter alia through:
(a) exchanging information and experiences on creating the legal framework and other conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises to improve their competitiveness;
(b) promoting contacts and exchanges between economic operators, encouraging joint investments and establishing joint ventures and information networks notably through existing Union horizontal programmes, stimulating in particular transfers of soft and hard technology between partners, including new and advanced technologies;
(c) providing information and stimulating innovation and exchanging good practices on access to finance and market, including auditing and accounting services particularly for micro- and small enterprises;
(d) facilitating and supporting the relevant activities established by the private sectors and business associations of the Parties;
(e) promoting corporate social responsibility and accountability and encouraging responsible business practices, including sustainable consumption and production. This cooperation shall be complemented by a consumer perspective such as on product information and the consumer's role in the market;
(f) conducting joint research projects, technical assistance and cooperation on standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures in selected industrial areas, as mutually agreed.
ARTICLE 45
Economic Policy Dialogue
The Parties agree to cooperate on promoting the exchange of information on their respective economic trends and policies, and the sharing of experiences with the coordination of economic policies in the context of regional economic cooperation and integration through existing bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in areas of mutual interest, including the sharing of information on the process of reform and equitisation of state-owned enterprises in conformity with the Parties' laws and regulations.
ARTICLE 46
Cooperation on Taxation
1. With a view to strengthening and developing economic activities while taking into account the need to develop appropriate regulatory and administrative frameworks, the Parties are committed to good governance in the tax area and will implement the principles of transparency and the exchange of information within the framework of bilateral tax agreements between Member States and Viet Nam. The Parties further agree to strengthen their exchange of experience, dialogue and cooperation to fight against tax evasion and other harmful tax practices.
2. The Parties agree to strengthen cooperation in the tax area with a view to enhancing their regulatory and administrative capacity through, inter alia, the exchange of experience and technical assistance.
3. The Parties will encourage the effective implementation of bilateral tax agreements between Member States and Viet Nam and support the consideration of new such agreements in the future.
ARTICLE 47
Cooperation on Financial Services
The Parties agree to hold a dialogue notably aimed at exchanging information and experiences on their respective regulatory environments, and strengthen cooperation with a view to improving accounting, auditing, supervisory and regulatory systems of banking, insurance and other parts of the financial sector including through capacity-building programmes in areas of mutual interest.
ARTICLE 48
Cooperation on Natural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
1. The Parties agree to cooperate in preventing and responding effectively to natural disasters to minimise the losses of life, property, natural resources, environment and cultural heritage, and to mainstream disaster risk reduction in all sectors and areas of intervention at national and local levels.
2. On that basis, the Parties agree to:
(a) share information on monitoring, assessing, forecasting and providing early warning on natural disasters;
(b) enhance capacity through the sharing of experience, best practices in natural disaster prevention and mitigation;
(c) support each other in technology, specialised equipment and materials needed for disaster management and emergency response;
(d) enhance dialogue between the Parties' authorities in charge of natural disaster management and emergency response to support and strengthen cooperation in this area.
ARTICLE 49
Urban and Regional Planning and Development
1. The Parties agree to promote cooperation and partnership in this field, in recognition of the impor-tant role of urban and regional planning and development in the pursuit of economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
2. Cooperation in urban and regional planning and development may take the following forms:
(a) the exchange of experience in addressing issues related to sustainable urban and regional planning and development, including:
- policies dealing with urban planning and related infrastructure, regional planning and urban expansion, conservation and development of historic townships;
- establishment of urban networks with the participation of central and local management including municipalities, associations and NGOs, agencies, contractors and professional associations;
- management of architecture, planning and urban space expansion with the employment of Geograp-hic Information System (GIS) tools;
- planning and development of urban centres and city centres renewal and urban environmental plan-ning;
- urban-rural relations;
- development of urban technical infrastructure, including rehabilitation and improvement of urban water supply systems, construction of sewerage and solid waste treatment systems, protection of the envi-ronment and urban landscape;
(b) support in training and capacity building for central, regional and local level managers in regional and urban planning, architecture management and architectural heritage;
(c) cooperation in the framework of relevant international organisations such as the UN-HABITAT and the World Urban Forum through joint research programmes and organisation of workshops and seminars to exchange information and experience in urban planning and development, including urban expansion, urban design, land development and technical infrastructure development.
3. The Parties agree to enhance cooperation, share experience and information among their regional and urban authorities to solve complex urban problems by promoting sustainable development.
ARTICLE 50
Labour, Employment and Social Affairs
1. The Parties agree to enhance cooperation in the field of labour, employment and social affairs, including cooperation on labour, regional and social cohesion, health and safety in the workplace, gender equality, lifelong skills development, human resource development, international migration and decent work, social security with a view to strengthening the social dimension of globalisation.
2. The Parties reaffirm the need to support the process of globalisation which is beneficial to all and to promote full and productive employment and decent work as a key element of sustainable development and poverty reduction, as endorsed by UN General Assembly Resolution 60/1 and the Ministerial Declaration of the high level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council of July 2006. Cooperation between the two Parties shall be compatible with and take into account the respective characteristics and diverse nature of the economic and social situations.
3. The Parties reaffirm their commitments to respect, promote and realise internationally recognised labour standards, as laid down in Internatioal Labour Organsiation (ILO) conventions to which they are parties referred to in the Declaration on Fundamental Rights and Principles at Work of the ILO. The Parties agree to cooperate and provide technical assistance with a view to promote the ratification of internationally recognised labour standards as appropriate and effectively implement labour standards ratified by the Parties.
4. Subject to laws, conditions and procedures applicable in the host country and relevant international treaties and conventions to which they are parties, the Parties shall aim to ensure that the treatment accorded to nationals of the other Party, legally employed in the territory of the host country, shall be free from any discrimination based on nationality, as regards, inter alia, working conditions, remuneration or dismissal as compared to the conditions applied to other third country nationals.
5. The forms of cooperation may include specific programmes and projects, as mutually agreed, as well as capacity building, policy exchange and initiatives on topics of common interest at bilateral or multilateral level, such as at ASEM, EU-ASEAN and ILO level.
ARTICLE 51
Statistics
1. The Parties agree to promote cooperation in harmonising and developing statistical methods including statistical collecting, processing, analysing, and disseminating.
2. To this end, the Parties agree to strengthen cooperation, including through regional and international fora, by capacity building and other technical assistance projects, including the provision of modern statistical software, with a view to enhancing the quality of statistics.
TITLE VII
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
ARTICLE 52
Joint Committee
1. The Parties agree to establish a Joint Committee, composed of representatives of both sides at the highest possible level, whose tasks shall be to:
(a) ensure the proper functioning and implementation of this Agreement;
(b) set priorities in relation to the aims of this Agreement;
(c) monitor the development of the comprehensive relationship between the Parties and make recommendations for promoting the objectives of this Agreement;
(d) request, as appropriate, information from committees or other bodies established under other agreements between the Parties and consider any reports submitted by them;
(e) exchange opinions and make suggestions on any issue of common interest, including future actions and the resources available to carry them out;
(f) resolve differences arising from the application or interpretation of this Agreement;
(g) examine all the information presented by a Party regarding the fulfilment of obligations and hold consultations with the other Party to seek a solution acceptable to both Parties in accordance with Article 57.
2. The Joint Committee shall normally meet annually in Hanoi and Brussels alternately, on a date to be fixed by mutual agreement. Extraordinary meetings of the Joint Committee may also be convened by agreement between the Parties. The Joint Committee shall be chaired alternately by each of the Parties. The agenda for meetings of the Joint Committee shall be determined by agreement between the Parties.
3. The Joint Committee shall set up sub-committees and specialised working groups in order to assist it in the performance of its tasks. These sub-committees and working groups shall make detailed reports of their activities to the Joint Committee at each of its meetings.
4. The Parties agree that it shall also be the task of the Joint Committee to ensure the proper functioning of any sectoral agreement or protocol concluded or to be concluded between the Parties.
5. The Joint Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
TITLE VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 53
Resources for Cooperation
1. The Parties agree to make available the appropriate resources, including financial means, insofar as their respective resources and regulations allow, in order to fulfil the cooperation objectives set out in this Agreement.
2. The Parties shall encourage the European Investment Bank to continue its operations in Viet Nam, in accordance with its procedures and financing criteria.
ARTICLE 54
Future Developments Clause
1. The Parties may by mutual consent expand the scope of this Agreement with a view to enhancing the level of cooperation, including by supplementing it by means of agreements or protocols on specific sectors or activities. Such specific agreements shall constitute an integral part of the overall bilateral relations as governed by this Agreement and shall form part of a common institutional framework.
2. With regard to the implementation of this Agreement, either of the Parties may put forward suggestions for widening the scope of cooperation, taking into account the experience gained in its application.
ARTICLE 55
Other Agreements
1. Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, neither this Agreement nor action taken hereunder shall affect the powers of the Member States to undertake bilateral cooperation activities with Viet Nam or to conclude, where appropriate, new partnership and cooperation agreements with Viet Nam.
2. This Agreement shall not affect the application or implementation of commitments undertaken by the respective Parties in relations with third parties.
3. Existing agreements relating to specific areas of cooperation falling within the scope of this Agreement shall be considered part of the overall bilateral relations as governed by this Agreement and as forming part of a common institutional framework.
ARTICLE 56
Application and Interpretation of the Agreement
1. Each Party may refer to the Joint Committee any divergence in the application or interpretation of this Agreement.
2. The Joint Committee may settle the issue by means of a recommendation.
ARTICLE 57
Fulfilment of Obligations
1. The Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under this Agreement and shall ensure that they comply with the objectives and purposes laid down in this Agreement.
2. If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil any of its obligations under this Agreement it may take appropriate measures.
3. Before doing so, except in cases of a material breach of the Agreement, it shall present to the Joint Committee all the relevant information required for a thorough examination of the situation with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.
4. The Parties agree that for the purpose of the correct interpretation and practical application of this Agreement, the term "appropriate measures" as referred to in Article 57(2) means measures taken in accordance with international law which are proportionate to the failure to implement obligations under this Agreement. In the selection of these measures, priority must be given to those which least disturb the functioning of this Agreement. These measures shall be notified immediately to the other Party and shall be the subject of consultations within the Joint Committee if the other Party so requests.
ARTICLE 58
Facilities
To facilitate cooperation in the framework of this Agreement, both Parties agree to grant necessary facilities to officials and experts involved in implementing cooperation for the performance of their functions, in accordance with internal rules and regulations of both Parties.
ARTICLE 59
Declarations
The Declarations to this Agreement shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 60
Territorial Application
This Agreement shall apply to the territory in which the Treaty on European Union is applied under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, on the one hand, and to the territory of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on the other.
ARTICLE 61
Definition of the Parties
For the purposes of this Agreement, "the Parties" shall mean the Union or its Member States, or the Union and its Member States, in accordance with their respective powers, on the one hand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on the other.
ARTICLE 62
National Security and Disclosure of Information
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to require any Party to provide any information, the disclosure of which it considers contrary to its essential security interests.
ARTICLE 63
Entry into Force and Duration
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which the last Party has notified the other of the completion of the legal procedures necessary for this purpose.
2. This Agreement is valid for a period of five years. It shall be automatically extended for further successive periods of one year, unless either Party notifies the other Party in writing of its intention not to extend this Agreement six months prior to the end of any subsequent one-year period.
3. Any amendments to this Agreement shall be made by agreement between the Parties. Any amendments shall become effective only after the latter Party has notified the other that all necessary formalities have been completed.
4. This Agreement may be terminated by either Party by written notice of denunciation given to the other Party. The termination shall take effect six months after receipt of notification by the other Party.
ARTICLE 64
Notifications
Notifications made in accordance with Article 63 shall be made to the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, respectively.
ARTICLE 65
Authentic Text
This Agreement shall be drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish and Vietnamese languages, each of these texts being equally authentic.
ANNEX
JOINT DECLARATION ON MARKET ECONOMY STATUS
The Parties shall enhance cooperation on moving towards the early recognition of Viet Nam's market economy status as soon as possible, subject to the relevant procedures.
UNILATERAL DECLARATION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP)
The European Union recognises the significant importance of the GSP to trade development and shall further cooperate through, inter alia, dialogue, exchanges and capacity-building activities, with a view to ensuring optimal use of the scheme by Viet Nam in accordance with the relevant procedures of the Parties and evolving EU trade policy.
JOINT DECLARATION ON ARTICLE 24
(COOPERATION IN COMBATING MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORISM FINANCING)
The Parties agree that the Joint Committee will establish a list of the competent authorities responsible for the exchange of relevant information under this Article.
JOINT DECLARATION ON ARTICLE 57
(FULFILMENT OF OBLIGATIONS)
The Parties agree that, for the purposes of the correct interpretation and practical application of this Agreement, the term "material breach of the Agreement" in Article 57(3), in line with Article 60 (3) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969 ('Vienna Convention'), consists of:
(a) repudiation of the agreement not sanctioned by the Vienna Convention; or
(b) violation of an essential element of the Agreement, as described in Article 1(1) and (2) and Article 8.
In cases of a material breach of the Agreement, the measure shall be notified immediately to the other Party. At the request of the other Party, the Joint Committee shall hold urgent consultations within a period of up to 30 days for a thorough examination of any aspect of, or the basis for, the measure with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.
3. člen
Za izvajanje sporazuma skrbi Vlada Republike Slovenije.
4. člen
Ta zakon začne veljati petnajsti dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.
Št. 007-02/15-2/10
Ljubljana, dne 3. marca 2015
EPA 337-VII
Državni zbor
Republike Slovenije
dr. Milan Brglez l.r.
Predsednik
(*) Besedilo sporazuma v bolgarskem, češkem, danskem, estonskem, finskem, francoskem, grškem, italijanskem, latvijskem, litovskem, madžarskem, malteškem, nemškem, nizozemskem, poljskem, portugalskem, romunskem, slovaškem, španskem, švedskem ter vietnamskem jeziku je na vpogled v Sektorju za mednarodno pravo v Ministrstvu za zunanje zadeve Republike Slovenije.
