Меморандум о взаимопонимании по сотрудничеству между дипломатическими академиями и институтами министерств иностранных дел государств-членов Организации Черноморского экономического сотрудничества [англ.]

(Подписан в г. Белграде 19.04.2007)

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION AMONG DIPLOMATIC ACADEMIES AND INSTITUTES OF THE MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION

The Diplomatic Academies and Institutes of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), hereinafter referred to as «the Parties»:

Recalling the priorities of the Republic of Serbia Chairmanship (November 2006 — April 2007) to explore the scope for new BSEC initiatives in the field of education;

Taking into consideration the importance of enhancing cooperation through the execution of multilateral activities among the Parties;

Aspiring to create a framework for permanent and close co-operation among the Parties for the better education and training of diplomatic staff and civil servants in accordance with BSEC main goals and objectives and in conformity with Article 23 of the BSEC Charter;

Wishing to further enhance co-operation among the Parties and develop mutually beneficial relationships within the Black Sea region through the exchange of information and the implementation of joint activities;

Have agreed as follows:

I. Purpose and objectives

The purpose of this Memorandum is to strengthen cooperation among the Parties, and, to this end, the Parties will contribute to the fulfillment of the following objectives:

(a) to carry out joint programmes and projects that may contribute to improving the quality of training and retraining, studies and projects serving the agreed common objectives, priorities and activities of BSEC;

(b) to increase the exchange of knowledge, experiences and achievements in application of new teaching methods and about BSEC;

(c) to ensure and achieve high-quality levels of education and qualification in diplomatic training, using various forms of partnership.

II. Forms of cooperation

1. For the purpose of this Memorandum, cooperation will be guided by the following:

(a) The Parties will actively exchange information on their programs, courses, seminars and other academic activities they intend to organize.

(b) The Parties will exchange information on teaching methods and methodological tools developed and applied in the syllabi of the Parties.

(c) On the basis of reciprocity, the Parties will exchange professors, lecturers, experts and trainees in fields of mutual interests.

(d) The Parties will exchange information on publications, magazines, articles and studies related to their fields of interest.

(e) The Parties will consider the possibility of organizing conferences, specialized training courses or seminars for diplomats and government officials in diplomacy and international affairs.

(f) The Parties will facilitate projects and the production of publications on subjects of mutual interest, particularly those that contribute to the dissemination of knowledge of their relations.

(g) Experts of one Party may participate in conferences, symposia and round-tables hosted by the other Party. The Parties will inform each other of such events.

2. The Parties will consider the possibility of:

(a) granting scholarships for specialized study and professional training or upgrading skills;

(b) developing joint cooperation activities with relevant institutions in third countries and international organizations;

(c) any other modality agreed upon by the Parties.

3. The Parties may jointly prepare cooperation programmes, in accordance with the mutually identified priorities within the scope of the respective BSEC areas of cooperation.

III. Modalities for cooperation

1. For the purpose of facilitating cooperation under this Memorandum, the Parties may allocate, in accordance with their resources, the appropriate financial and other means.

2. The costs of air travel incurred by one Party for its personnel, as referred to in Section II of this Memorandum, to the territory of the other Party, will be defrayed by the sending Party. The cost of accommodation, local transportation and other expenses necessary for the implementation of the program will be borne by the sending Party, with the understanding that each Party will make its best efforts to find suitable housing for the exchange visitor.

3. Trainees will be exempt from paying tuition and other related fees to the receiving Party. The trainees will be responsible themselves for obtaining the necessary visa and for covering the costs of accommodation, international travel, travel in the host country, books, equipment, consumables, hospitalization, health and liability insurance and other incidental expenses arising out of this exchange.

(a) A letter of support from the sending Party should confirm the good academic standing of participating graduate students. Trainees should have suitable levels of language competency as required by the receiving Party.

(b) Trainees should meet admission requirements of the receiving Party.

IV. Governance and coordination

1. The coordination and follow-up of the cooperation activities provided for in this Memorandum as well as the implementation of the programs and projects will be carried out by the Executive Board (consisting of the Representatives of Diplomatic Academies and Institutes of the BSEC Member States represented in the Troika).

2. The Executive Board (hereinafter referred to as the Board) will be presided by the Director of the Diplomatic Academy or Institute of the BSEC Member State exercising the Chairmanship-in-Office.

3. The Board will meet at least once in each calendar year.

4. The Board's decisions will be taken by consensus.

5. A network among the representatives of the Parties will be established to realize the objectives of the Memorandum. To operate it effectively, each Party will designate a contact point and notify it through BSEC PERMIS to the other Parties. The network will function under the authority of the BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office.

V. Settlement of disputes

Any dispute arising out of the interpretation or application of this Memorandum will be settled amicably through consultation and negotiation among the Parties.

VI. Amendments

This Memorandum may be amended by written consent of the Parties, upon request of one of them. The amendment will enter into force in compliance with Section VIII of this Memorandum.

VII. Withdrawal

1. Each Party may withdraw from this Memorandum by giving to BSEC PERMIS notice in writing of its decision.

2. In case of a withdrawal from this Memorandum, the ongoing programs and projects will not be affected and will continue until their completion.

VIII. Entry into force

This Memorandum will enter into force on the date on which the third notification about the completion of the necessary national legal requirements for its entry into force is deposited with BSEC PERMIS.

IX. Duration

This Memorandum will remain valid for a period of 5 years. It will be automatically extended for a further period of 5 years in the absence of objections from the Parties.

X. Depositary

BSEC PERMIS will be the depositary of this Memorandum.

In witness whereof, the duly authorized representatives have signed this Memorandum.

Signed in Belgrade, on the 19th day of the month of April of the year 2007 in a single copy in the English language.

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