Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Republike Kosovo o razvojnem sodelovanju (BXKRS)

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo (hereinafter: the Contracting Parties),

RECALLING the guidelines of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD, cooperation policies between the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe (hereinafter: the Region), and the existing framework agreements, and confirming the endeavours of the international community in this domain,

DESIRING for the Republic of Slovenia to contribute to the economic and social development of the Republic of Kosovo and its pursuit of development goals, supported by international organisations, financial institutions, and other donors,

RECOGNISING the significance of a regional development approach aimed at contributing to peace, security, prosperity, and stability in the Region, and

WITH A VIEW TO establishing relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Kosovo, based on partnership and transparent development cooperation aimed at contributing to economic development and European orientation of the Republic of Kosovo,

HAVE AGREED on the following:

The target areas of development cooperation shall be as follows:

a) Modernization of infrastructure and rehabilitation, improvement, and protection of the environment, as well as improved preparedness for response in case of natural and other disasters;

b) Promoting productive investment;

c) Modernization of public administration and local self-governance;

d) Repatriation of refugees and displaced persons, and assistance in the democratic institution building process;

e) Promoting the role of the rule of law;

f) Sustaining improvements in social policy;

g) Promoting economic development;

h) Supporting education and vocational training of administrative and scientific capacities;

i) Scholarships;

j) Sustaining development in the areas of education, training, and the youth, particularly within the framework of multilateral cooperation programmes;

k) Training and education of administrative and scientific capacities for participation in European research and development programmes, especially within the 6th Framework Programme of the EU;

l) Participating in joint projects applied for by Slovenian organisations within the European research and development programmes, with special emphasis on training and research work in Slovenia;

m) Supporting training of state administrations aimed at drawing closer to the EU; and

n) Reform of public finances.

In the framework of development cooperation the Republic of Slovenia shall provide the Republic of Kosovo with development assistance determined by the value of planned programmes and projects.

The initiative for the implementation of a specific programme or project shall be given either by the Joint Committee referred to in Article 6 of the present Agreement or by individual holders and providers of concrete development cooperation activities/projects.

The Contracting Parties shall assess and monitor development programmes and projects according to the criteria and procedures determined by the European Union.

In implementing the present Agreement the Republic of Slovenia shall respect obligations ensuing from the EU acquis.

Projects and activities financed as part of the development assistance programme shall be in line with European Union policies, including the policies concerning environmental protection, gender equality, transport, Trans-European Networks, competition, and public procurement.

The Contracting Parties agree that financial support for the implementation of projects and activities according to the present Agreement can be provided by other countries and/or international organisations, both from within the UN development system and others, as well as other regional cooperation institutions.

Financial support by other partners must not exceed 90 per cent of total project value.

A Joint Committee shall be established, tasked primarily with proposing the priorities, programmes, and projects in the field of international development cooperation, taking into account the evaluation of existing development cooperation programmes and projects. Each Contracting Party shall participate in the Joint Committee with two (2) members.

The members of the Joint Committee shall be appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, respectively.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo shall be tasked with the coordination of activities and monitoring the implementation of development cooperation programmes/projects.

In case of impediments to the implementation of the present Agreement due to force majeure recognized by the Contracting Parties (such as war, civil unrest or natural disasters), the Contracting Parties may agree on temporary suspension of programmes and projects which are being implemented.

Disputes arising from the implementation of the present Agreement shall be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The Contracting Parties may bring amendments to this Agreement. Any amendment shall take effect in compliance with the procedure under Article 10, paragraph 1.

The present Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last notification by which the Contracting Parties notify each other about the fulfilment of the required national procedures.

This Agreement shall be concluded for an indefinite period of time, unless any of the Contracting Parties terminates it in writing through diplomatic channels. The Agreement shall cease to apply six (6) months after the receipt of such notification through diplomatic channels.

Done at Prishtina on 21 April 2009 in two originals in the English language.