CONVENTIONS Law 25.498 Adopt a Convention on Trade and Economic Cooperation signed with the Government of the Republic of Albania.

Sanctioned: October 24, 2001.

Cast: November 19, 2001.

The Senate and Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Nation assembled in Congress, etc. sanction with force of Law:

ARTICLE 1 Adopt the Convention on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Armenia DE ALBANIA, signed in Buenos Aires on 11 May 2000, consisting of DOCE (12) articles, whose photocopies authenticated in Spanish and English form part of this law.

ARTICLE 2 Contact the national executive branch.

IN THE SESSION OF THE ARGENTINE CONGRESS, IN GOOD AIRES, TO THE VEINTICUATRO DIAS OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OF DOS MIL UNO.

# 25,498 EL

PASCUAL RAFAEL. . MARIO A. LOSADA. . Roberto C. Marafioti. . Juan C. Oyarzún.

Note: The English text is not published.

CONVENTION OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ARGENTIN REPUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ALBAN REPUBLIC

The Government of the Argentine Republic and the Government of the Republic of Albania, henceforth, "the Parties",

Considering the importance of trade and economic relations among Parties,

Guided by the common desire to increase relations of mutual interest and good understanding,

Understanding the need to adapt to the practice and norms of international markets and to expand trade and economic relations,

Recognizing the efforts of the Republic of Albania to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and taking into account the obligations of the Argentine Republic as a member of the WTO,

Agree to the following:

ARTICLE 1

The Parties shall actively cooperate to enhance trade and economic cooperation, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, on the basis of the equality and mutual benefit of the Parties and in accordance with the provisions of this convention.

ARTICLE 2

The Parties shall be accorded the most-favoured-nation treatment with respect to all matters concerning exports and imports of products originating from the countries of the Contracting Parties, in accordance with the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

However, the provisions of this Article shall not apply to the advantages and privileges granted or that may be granted by any Party:

; to neighbouring countries to facilitate the development of border trade;

. to countries with which any Party has subscribed or will sign in the future an agreement on customs union, free trade zone, common market or interregional partnership agreements.

ARTICLE 3

The Parties shall promote the development of trade as well as the manufacture, investment and other types of economic cooperation in the fields of energy engineering, engineering, chemical and metallurgical industries, production of consumer goods, exploration, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, including biological resources, transport, telecommunications, construction industry, IT, agriculture, food industry, tourism and ecotourism, services and other fields of mutual interest.

ARTICLE 4

Exports and imports of products and services as well as economic cooperation between Parties shall be made on the basis of contracts and other agreements signed in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in the countries of the Parties, between legal and physical persons of each Party.

The goods originating from Argentina and Albania may be re-exported to third countries, in accordance with the rules of international trade.

ARTICLE 5

The Parties shall promote economic-commercial cooperation in order to contribute, in particular, but not exclusively to:

(a) Strengthening and diversifying bilateral economic ties,

(b) Explore and develop new markets,

(c) Promoting technology transfer,

(d) stimulate investment and create a favourable climate for investment.

ARTICLE 6

The Parties shall promote:

de contacts and the development of economic cooperation between the natural and legal persons of each Party,

. the participation of natural and legal persons of each Party in exhibitions and fairs organized by them, the exchange of delegations of experts in the field of trade and economy, the exchange of information, especially in connection with legislative changes and government economic programmes and other forms of contacts that contribute to cooperation between them.

ARTICLE 7

In mutual relations in the financial, banking and insurance fields, Parties shall apply among the principles recognized in global practice, the standards approved and recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Adjustments (BIS, based in Basel) and, in particular, shall not impose restrictions on current account transactions, and shall proceed in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in their respective countries.

ARTICLE 8

Payments for transactions under this Agreement shall be made in freely convertible currency, unless the parties involved in a particular transaction agree otherwise, in accordance with the legislation in force in each country.

ARTICLE 9

To meet the objectives of this Convention, the Parties shall form a Joint Commission, which shall be composed of the representatives of each Party.

The Joint Commission shall:

(a) To review the evolution of the implementation of this Convention and propose measures to address the difficulties observed in mutual economic relations;

(b) Find other possibilities for expanding trade and economic cooperation.

The Joint Commission will meet once a year, alternatively, in the Argentine Republic and the Republic of Albania, on a agreed date between the two.

ARTICLE 10

This Convention may be amended by agreement between the Parties.

A Party receiving the proposed amendment shall reply within 60 days of its notification.

The amendments shall enter into force in the manner provided for in Article 11.

ARTICLE 11

This Convention shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of the respective instruments of ratification.

It shall have a duration of five (5) years and shall be automatically renewed for periods of one (1) year, unless one Party communicates in writing to the other its intention to terminate it, with a minimum advance of three (3) months at the end of each period.

The termination of this Convention shall not affect the validity of the activities, programmes or cooperation projects that have been implemented in accordance with this Convention, unless otherwise agreed.

ARTICLE 12

This Convention shall, from its entry into force, completely replace the Commercial Convention between the Government of the Argentine Republic and the Government of the Republic of Albania of 20 January 1987.

Made in Buenos Aires, on the 11th day of May 2000, in two originals in the Spanish, Albanian and English languages, the two equally authentic texts. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text will prevail.