AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA ON COOPERATION
IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SCIENCE, YOUTH AND SPORTS

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Republic of Moldova hereinafter "the Parties":

noting the intention of the Parties to strengthen cooperation and to develop and diversify the friendly relations, which exist between the Parties;

based on the European Union initiatives for southern and eastern Europe;

being aware of the fact that the cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science, youth and sports contributes to a better understanding between nations;

have agreed on the following:

Article 1

The Parties shall support different forms of cooperation in the fields of education, culture, science, youth and sports based on the principles of mutual respect, interests and partnership.

Article 2

The Parties shall promote the exchange of information, national laws and regulations in force, planned and implemented reforms, and other relevant information on education, culture, science, youth and sports that is needed to implement successful cooperation between both Parties.

Article 3

The Parties shall encourage direct cooperation between the institutions of general education, vocational education and training, higher education and adult learning, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders based on mutual need and interest.

Article 4

The Parties shall agree to continue cooperation in the framework of the Bologna Process, programmes and projects of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), of the European Union and other international programmes and projects available to the Parties.

Article 5

Each year the Parties shall offer each other scholarships for studies in all study levels (bachelor, master and doctoral degree) in state recognized higher education institutions and study programmes, as well as scholarships for research work at higher education institutions and for participation in international summer schools.

Article 6

The Parties shall cooperate in raising the professional competence of specialists in the education sector and the capacity of academic and research staff and highly qualified experts.

Article7

The Parties shall facilitate access to learning the language, culture, literature, history and information on citizenship education of the other Party.

Article 8

The Parties shall support wide-ranging, direct co-operation in all fields of culture and art, audiovisual sector and mass media. The Parties shall promote the interest in cultural heritage and contemporary cultural achievements of the other Party.

Article 9

In order to promote the knowledge of the culture of the other country, the Parties shall encourage:

1) exchange of visits by artists, artistic ensembles and delegations of artistic associations, and exchange of information and materials concerning culture and cultural heritage;

2) mutual participation of experts and artists (actors, writers, musicians, painters, dancers and other representatives of culture and the arts) in seminars, exhibitions, contests, master classes, festivals, conferences and scientific symposia organized by the Parties;

3) cooperation between archives, museums and libraries governed by the State or local authorities;

4) direct cooperation between the corresponding institutions of the two countries in the field of cinematography;

5) cooperation between the creative associations and other non-governmental organisations of the two countries within the scope of the spheres provided by this Agreement.

Article 10

In accordance with the national laws and regulations and international obligations of the respective countries, the Parties shall cooperate in preventing illicit import, export and transfer of cultural property, which is part of cultural heritage of their countries, and shall exchange relevant information in this regard.

Article 11

The Parties shall contribute to the development of cooperation in the field of youth policies through development of cooperation between youth policy makers, youth organizations and institutions responsible for youth policy implementation, as well as other stakeholders, which are involved in youth work.

Article 12

The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of sports. Such cooperation may include consultations on mutually topical sport policy matters and exchange of good practice on topics such as anti-doping and manipulation of sports competitions, violence prevention at sport events, promotion of grassroots sport and sport infrastructure development.

The Parties shall facilitate the establishment of direct links between national sport organisations based on sport activity profile, as well as cooperation of educational, scientific and medical sport institutions based on mutually advantageous terms.

Article 13

All activities carried out in the framework of this Agreement are subject to available financial resources of the Parties and shall be undertaken in accordance with the national laws and regulations and international obligations of the respective countries.

Article 14

The Parties shall set up a Joint Commission in order to evaluate and implement this Agreement. The Joint Commission shall hold sessions when necessary, but not less than once every three years by turn in the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Moldova. The results of the sessions of the Joint Commission shall be drawn up in the minutes for each session.

Article 15

This Agreement shall not affect any rights and obligations of the Parties under any other international treaties to which they are parties.

Article 16

Any disputes arising in the course of the implementation and interpretation of this Agreement shall be settled through consultations and negotiations between the Parties.

Article 17

This Agreement may be amended on the basis of mutual consent of the Parties by concluding additional protocols that form an integral part of this Agreement. Such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 18 of this Agreement.

Article 18

This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. It shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the last written notice through diplomatic channels confirming that the internal procedures for the entry into force of this Agreement are fulfilled.

Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving a written notice to the other Party through diplomatic channels 6 (six) months prior to the date of expiration.

The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the projects or programmes already undertaken under this Agreement and not yet completed at the time of such termination.

Done in duplicate in Chisinau on November 6, 2017 in Latvian, Romanian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In the case of divergence of interpretation of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.