Republike Slovenije
Andrej Šter l.r.
Za Kabinet
ministrov Ukrajine
Volodimir Ogrizko l.r.
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, hereafter referred to as "the Parties",
Taking into consideration the guidelines of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the cooperative relationship of the European Union and the states of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe (hereafter referred to as "the Region"), and the existing framework agreements, and reaffirming the efforts of the international community in the area,
In the desire that the Republic of Slovenia contributes to fulfilling of the development objectives of Ukraine, through the promotion of the development of social and ecological sustained market economy, which will generate the sustainable development, with the assistance of international organisations, financial institutions and other donors,
Noting the importance of a regional development approach, aiming at contributing to peace, security, prosperity and stability in the South East European region,
Aiming at the establishment of a contractual relationship between the Republic of Slovenia and Ukraine, based on partnership and transparency of development cooperation, with the objective to contribute to European aspiration and orientation of Ukraine,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Objectives
The target areas of development cooperation are as follows:
a) Modernization of infrastructure and assistance in the field of urbanism, rehabilitation, improvement and protection of the environment, and improved capacity to act in cases of natural and other disasters,
b) Promotion of investments,
c) Modernization of public administration and local self-government,
d) Support for the building of democratic institutions,
e) Support for the rule of law,
f) Support for improvement in social policy,
g) Encouraging economic development,
h) Support for education and vocational training of the administrative and scientific potential,
i) Granting scholarships,
j) Support for development in the field of education, training and youth issues, especially within the framework of multilateral cooperation programmes,
k) Support in the legislation adjustment of the Ukraine to EU requirements,
l) Training and education of the public administration and scientific human resources for participation in the European research and development programmes, particularly in the EU Framework Programmes,
m) Participation in joint project applications, registered by Slovenian organizations within the framework of European research and development programmes, with special emphasis on training and research work in Slovenia,
n) Support for training of state administration staff with a view to approaching the EU,
o) Reform of public finances.
Specific forms of development cooperation on the basis of this Agreement shall be in compliance with the long-term programme of international development cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia and shall be agreed upon in the written Arrangements on Cooperation concluded between the holders or contractors of projects and programmes and the beneficiary in Ukraine.
Article 2
Funds
Within the framework of development cooperation, the Republic of Slovenia shall provide to Ukraine development assistance which will be determined by the value of the planned programmes and projects agreed upon in the written Arrangements of Cooperation as defined in par. 2 of Article 1.
Programmes and projects of development cooperation on the basis of this agreement will be in compliance with the long-term programme of international development cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia and shall be agreed by the both sides within the Joint Committee, which is defined in the Article 3 of this Agreement.
For the realisation of agreed projects and programmes the both Parties shall conclude separate Memoranda of Cooperation.
The model (basic elements) of the Memoranda of Cooperation will be determined by the Joint Committee.
For the purposes of the development cooperation, funds provided by the Republic of Slovenia for financing projects under the development assistance, can not be used for payment of duties, taxes or any other fiscal charges that are applied in Ukraine.
All equipment, services, materials and other resources, financed by the Republic of Slovenia within the scope of the programs and projects of this Agreement on development cooperation shall be exempted from taxes, duties and other obligatory charges which can be exercised in Ukraine or subject to refunding according to the legislation applicable in Ukraine.
Experts who are the citizens of the Republic of Slovenia, involved in implementation assistance programmes and projects financed by the Republic of Slovenia, as well as their family's members, shall be granted free of charge entry visas for Ukraine.
Article 3
Joint Committee
With this Agreement a Joint Committee shall be established and will propose and adopt priorities, programmes and projects of international development cooperation. The Committee will monitor the execution of the programmes and projects, taking into account the evaluation of development cooperation projects and programmes that have already been concluded.
The area of work and rules of procedure of the Joint Committee shall be determined in the procedural rules determined and agreed by the both Parties.
The Joint Committee shall be composed of two members from each Party. For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the Joint Committee members shall be appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine by the Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
The authorities competent for the coordination of activities and monitoring of the implementation of the programmes and projects of development cooperation shall be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the Governement of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine on behalf of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
Article 4
Evaluation and monitoring
In evaluation and monitoring of development programmes and projects, the Parties shall comply with the criteria and the procedures applied by the European Union.
Article 5
Compatibility with European Union policies
In the implementation of this Agreement, the Republic of Slovenia shall respect its obligations arising from the European Union acquis.
Projects and activities financed under the development assistance programme shall comply with European Union policies, including those concerning environmental protection, production of the safe food, gender equality, transport, Trans European Networks (TREN), competition, as well as public procurement.
Article 6
Coherence with other donors
The Parties agree that other countries and/or international organisations both from the UN development system and others, as well as other institutions of regional cooperation may participate in the financing support for the implementation of projects and activities under this Agreement.
The financial support from other partners shall not exceed 90 per cent of total project value.
Article 7
Impediments and force majeure
In case of impediments to the implementation of this Agreement due to force majeure, recognised by the Parties, (such as war, civil unrest or natural disasters), the Parties may agree on temporary suspension of programmes and projects that are being implemented.
Article 8
Settlement of disputes
Disputes arising with respect to the implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by consultation between the Parties.
Article 9
Amendments
This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Parties and the amendments shall take the form of separate protocols, which shall be an integral part of this Agreement. Separate protocols shall enter into force according to the procedure set forth in Article 10.
Article 10
Entry into force
This Agreement shall enter into force upon receipt of the last of the two notifications by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures required for its entry into force have been completed.
This Agreement shall be concluded for an indefinite period of time, unless either Party terminates it by written notification through diplomatic channels. The Agreement shall cease to apply six months following the receipt of such notification.
The termination of the present Agreement shall not affect projects or programmes undertaken under this Agreement and not fully executed at the time of the termination of the present Agreement.
Done in the city of Ljubljana on 4 June 2008 in duplicate in the Slovenian, Ukrainian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Andrej Šter (s)
For the Cabinet of ministers of Ukraine
Volodimir Ogrizko (s)