Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Republike Makedonije o razvojnem sodelovanju (BMKRS)

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, 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 which are included in the Association and Stabilisation process,
    In the desire that the Republic of Slovenia contributes to fulfilling of the development objectives of the Republic of Macedonia, 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 the Republic of Macedonia, based on partnership and transparency of development cooperation, with the objective to contribute to European aspiration and orientation of the Republic of Macedonia, with the aim to bring the Republic of Macedonia closer to the membership of the EU,
    Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Objectives

The target areas of development cooperation are as follows:
    a) sustainable economic development,
    b) basic social services,
    c) good governance,
    d) social security,
    e) environmental protection,
    f) research/knowledge development.

Article 2

Funds

Within the framework of development cooperation, the Republic of Slovenia shall provide to the Republic of Macedonia development assistance which will be determined by the value of the planned programmes and projects.
    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 the Republic of Macedonia.
    Boons, services and other forms of property financed within the framework of Assistance programmes and projects of the Republic of Slovenia shall be exempted from any duties, taxes or any other charges that can be applied in the Republic of Macedonia or subject to refunding according to the legislation applicable in the Republic of Macedonia.
    Experts, 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 the Republic of Macedonia.

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 regulations for the working of the Joint Committee. Regulations for the working will be 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 Government of the Republic of Macedonia by the Department for European integration in cooperation with the Macedonian Foreign Ministry.

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 Community 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 through diplomatic channels.

Article 9

Amendments

The Parties may amend this Agreement. Any such amendment shall enter into force according to the procedure set forth in Article 10, par. 1.

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.
     
    Done in Skopje on 10 June 2004 in two original copies in the English language.