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18 FEBRUARY 2009. - An Act to approve the Agreement between the Governments of the Benelux States and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the Removal of the Travel Visa Obligation for Holders of a Diplomatic and Official or Service Passport, concluded by Exchange of Letters signed in Washington D.C. on 2 February 2006 and 3 March 2006 (1)

ALBERT II, King of the Belgians,
To all, present and to come, Hi.
The Chambers adopted and We sanction the following:
Article 1^er. This Act regulates a matter referred to in Article 77 of the Constitution.
Art. 2. The Agreement between the Governments of the Benelux States and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the abolition of the travel visa requirement for holders of a diplomatic and official or service passport, concluded by Exchange of letters signed in Washington D.C. on 2 February 2006 and 3 March 2006, will come out its full and full effect.
Promulgate this law, order that it be clothed with the seal of the State and published by the Belgian Monitor.
Given in Brussels on 18 February 2009.
ALBERT
By the King:
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
K. DE GUCHT
The Minister of the Interior,
G. DE PADT
Minister of Migration and Asylum Policy,
Ms. A. TURTELBOOM
Seal of the state seal:
Minister of Justice,
S. DE CLERCK
Note
(1) 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 session:
Senate.
Documents. - Bill tabled on 23 June 2008, No. 4-821/1. - Report, number 4-821/2.
Annales parliamentarians. - Discussion, meeting of 6 November 2008. - Vote, meeting of 6 November 2008.
House of Representatives.
Documents. - Project transmitted by the Senate, No. 52-1562/1. - Text adopted in plenary and subject to Royal Assent, No. 52-1562/2.
Annales parliamentarians. - Discussion, meeting of November 27, 2008. - Vote, meeting of 27 November 2008.

Agreement between the Governments of the Benelux States and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the abolition of visas for holders of a diplomatic and official or service passport
Washington, DC, February 2 2006
Excellency,
« We have the honour to communicate to Your Excellency that the Governments of the Benelux States acting jointly under the Agreement between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed at Brussels on 11 April 1960 concerning the transfer of immigration control to the outer frontiers of Benelux, are prepared to conclude with the Government of the commonwealth of The Bahamas an Agreement on the abolition of visas for follows diplomatic and official or service passports, which read
1. In this Agreement,
- the term " Benelux States" shall mean : the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
- the term « Benelux territory » shall mean : the joint territories in Europe of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2. Nationals of the commonwealth of The Bahamas who are holders of a valid national diplomatic and official or service passport may enter the Benelux territory without a visa and stay for a period not exceeding three months under this passport only.
3. Nationals of the Benelux countries who are holders of a valid national diplomatic and official or service passport may enter the territory of the commonwealth of The Bahamas without a visa and stay for a period not exceeding three months under this passport only.
4. With the exception of the agents of diplomatic and consular representations as also the agents of international organisations, designated for the exercise of functions in any country of the Signatory Governments, for a stay exceeding three months the persons referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall before their departure obtain the visa from that country, through the diplomatic or consular representative of the country they wish to enter.
5. Each Government reserves the right to refuse to admit to its country any person not holding the documents required for entry or persons regarded as undesirable aliens or whose presence in the country is regarded as prejudicial to law and order or national security.
6. Except as herein provided, this Agreement shall not affect the laws and regulations in force in the Benelux States and the commonwealth of The Bahamas governing entry, length of stay, residence and expulsion and any form of occupation of aliens.
7. Each Government undertakes to readmit to its territory, at any time and without formalities, persons who entered the said territory under a valid national diplomatic and official or service passport issued by the Authorities of Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or The Bahamas.
8. The Signatory Governments shall transmit through diplomatic specimens of their new or modified diplomatic channels and official or service passports, as also the particulars concerning the use of these passports, as far as possible, 60 days before their date of introduction.
9. This Agreement shall enter into force for one year on the first day of the second month from the date of the last notification confirming that all constitutional and legal requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled. This Agreement shall be considered as extended for an unlimited period, unless it is denounced 30 days prior to the expiry of this period.
On the expiry of the first period of one year any Signatory Government may denounce this Agreement subject to 30 days » previous notice to the Belgian Government.
The denunciation by one of the Signatory Governments shall cause this Agreement to terminate.
The Belgian Government shall inform the other Signatory Governments of the receipt of such notifications as referred to in this paragraph, as also of the receipt of the communication referred to in this paragraph.
10. The application of this Agreement may be suspended by any Contracting Party.
Suspension shall be notified immediately to the Belgian Government through diplomatic channels. The Belgian Government shall inform the other Signatory Governments of the receipt of such notification.
The same procedure shall be adopted when the suspension is lifted.
11. As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands the application of this Agreement may be extended to the Netherlands Antilles and to Aruba by notification addressd by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Government of the commonwealth of The Bahamas.
If the Government of the commonwealth of The Bahamas is prepared to conclude with the Governments of the Benelux States an Agreement on the foregoing provisions, we have the honour to propose to Your Excellency that this Note and Your Excellency's Note with a similar content in reply to each of us, shall constitute the Agreement between the Benelux States and the commonwealth of The Bahamas on the abolition of visa with regard to diplomatic and official or service passports.
We avail ourselves of the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of our highest consideration.
For the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium.
For the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
For the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Washington, DC, 3rd March, 2006.
Excellency,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency's note of 2nd February, 2006, proposing the conclusion of an Agreement between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on an Agreement on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and official or service passports, which reads as follows:
1. In this Agreement,
- the term " Benelux States" shall mean : the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
- the term « Benelux territory » shall mean : the joint territories in Europe of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2. Nationals of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas who are holders of a valid national diplomatic and official or service passport may enter the Benelux territory without a visa and stay for a period not exceeding three months under this passport only.
3. Nationals of the Benelux countries who are holders of a valid national diplomatic and official or service passport may enter the territory of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas without a visa and stay for a period not exceeding three months under this passport only.
4. With the exception of the agents of diplomatic and consular representations as also the agents of international organizations, designated for the exercise of function in any country of the Signatory Governments, for a stay exceeding three months the persons referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall before their departure obtain the visa from that country, through the diplomatic or consular representative of the country they wish to enter.
5. Each Government reserves the right to refuse to admit to its country any person not holding the documents required for entry or persons regarded as undesirable aliens or whose presence in the country is regarded as prejudicial to law and order or national security.
6. Except as herein provided, this Agreement shall not affect the laws and regulations in force in the Benelux States and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas governing entry, length of stay, residence and expulsion and any form of occupation of aliens.
7. Each Government undertakes to readmit to its territory, at any time and without formalities, persons who entered the said territory under a valid national diplomatic and official or service passport issued by the Authorities of Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or The Bahamas.
8. The Signatory Governments shall transmit through diplomatic specimens of their new or modified diplomatic channels and official or service passports, as also the particulars concerning the use of these passports, as far as possible, 60 days before their date of introduction.
9. This Agreement shall enter into force for one year on the first day of the second month from the date of the last notification confirming that all constitutional and legal requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled. This Agreement shall be considered as extended for an unlimited period, unless it is denounced 30 days prior to the expiry of this period.
On the expiry of the first period of one year any Signatory Government may denounce this Agreement subject to 30 days » previous notice to the Belgian Government.
The denunciation by one of the Signatory Governments shall cause this Agreement to terminate.
The Belgian Government shall inform the other Signatory Governments of the receipt of such notifications as referred to in this paragraph, as also of the receipt of the communication referred to in this paragraph.
10. The application of this Agreement may be suspended by any Contracting Party.
Suspension shall be notified immediately to the Belgian Government through diplomatic channels. The Belgian Government shall inform the other Signatory Governments of the receipt of such notification.
The same procedure shall be adopted when the suspension is lifted.
11. As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands the application of this Agreement may be extended to the Netherlands Antilles and to Aruba by notification addressed by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Excellency, I have the honour to convey our agreement to the proposal that Your Excellency's Note and this Note in reply shall constitute the Agreement between the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Benelux States on the abolition of visas with regard to diplomatic and official or service passports.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.
For the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Agreement between the Governments of the Benelux States and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the removal of the travel visa requirement for holders of a diplomatic, official or service passport
Washington, D.C., 2 February 2006
Minister,
"We have the honour to bring to the attention of Your Excellency that the Governments of the Benelux States, acting together under the Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands concerning the transfer of control of persons to the outer borders of the Benelux territory, signed in Brussels on 11 April 1960, are prepared to conclude with the Government of the commonwealth of the Bahamas an agreement concerning the abolition of the diplomatic visa
1. Under this Agreement, we must hear:
- by "the Benelux states":
the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
- by the "Benelux Territory": all the territories in Europe, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2. Nationals of the commonwealth of the Bahamas who hold a valid diplomatic and official passport or national service may, for a stay of up to three months, enter without a visa in the Benelux territory, under the sole cover of this passport.
3. Nationals of the Benelux States who hold a valid diplomatic and official passport or national service may, for a stay of up to three months, enter without a visa in the territory of the commonwealth of the Bahamas under the sole cover of this passport.
4. With the exception of officials of diplomatic and consular representations, as well as officials from international organizations, designated to serve in one of the countries of the signatory Governments, the persons referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall, for a stay of more than three months, have obtained the visa, before their departure, to the intervention of the diplomatic or consular representative of the country where they wish to visit.
5. Each government reserves the right to refuse access by its country to persons who do not have the required entry documents or who are reported to be undesirable or considered to compromise public tranquillity, public order or national security.
6. Except for the above provisions, the laws and regulations in force in the Benelux States and the commonwealth of the Bahamas regarding access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of aliens, as well as the exercise of an activity, remain applicable.
7. Each government undertakes to re-enter on its territory at any time and without formality the persons who have entered this territory under the cover of a valid diplomatic and official passport or national service, issued by the Belgian, Luxembourg, Dutch or Bahamas Authorities.
8. The signatory Governments shall, through diplomatic channels, transmit the specimens of their diplomatic and official passports or new or modified service, as well as the data concerning the use of these passports, to the extent possible, 60 days before their circulation.
9. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of the last notification attesting to the completion of all constitutional and legal formalities for its entry into force for a period of one year. If it has not been denounced 30 days before the end of this period, the Agreement will be considered extended for an indefinite period.
Upon the expiration of the first one-year period, each of the signatory Governments may denounce it on a 30-day notice to the Belgian government.
The denunciation by one of the signatory Governments will result in the repeal of the Agreement.
The Belgian Government will notify the other signatory Governments of the receipt of the notifications referred to in this paragraph and the communication referred to in this paragraph.
10. The application of this Agreement may be suspended by either of the Contracting Parties.
The suspension should be notified immediately through diplomatic channels to the Belgian government. The Government will notify other signatory Governments of the receipt of this notification. The same shall be done as soon as the measure in question is lifted.
11. With regard to the Kingdom of the Netherlands the application of this Agreement may be extended to the Netherlands Antilles and to Aruba by a notification from the Government of the Netherlands to the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
If the Government of the commonwealth of the Bahamas is prepared to conclude with the Governments of the Benelux States an agreement on the above-mentioned provisions, we have the honour to propose to Your Excellency that this letter and similar content, which Your Excellency may wish to address to each of us, constitute the Agreement on the Suppression of the Visa Obligation concerning Diplomatic and Official Passports or Service Between the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the States of the Bahamas.
We take this opportunity, Excellency, to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of our highest consideration.
For the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium
For the government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
For the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Washington, D.C., March 3, 2006
Excellency,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the note by Your Excellency dated 2 February 2006, in which is proposed the conclusion of an agreement between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas concerning the abolition of the travel visa requirement for holders of a diplomatic and official passport or service, which states as follows:
1. Under this Agreement, we must hear:
- by "the Benelux States": the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands;
- by the "Benelux Territory": all the territories in Europe, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2. Nationals of the commonwealth of the Bahamas who hold a valid diplomatic and official passport or national service may, for a stay of up to three months, enter without a visa in the Benelux territory, under the sole cover of this passport.
3. Nationals of the Benelux States who hold a valid diplomatic and official passport or national service may, for a stay of up to three months, enter without a visa in the territory of the commonwealth of the Bahamas under the sole cover of this passport.
4. ÷ the exception of officials of diplomatic and consular representations, as well as officials belonging to international organizations, designated to serve in one of the countries of the signatory Governments, the persons referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall, for a stay of more than three months, have obtained the visa, before their departure, to the intervention of the diplomatic or consular representative of the country where they want to visit.
5. Each government reserves the right to refuse access by its country to persons who do not have the required entry documents or who are reported to be undesirable or considered to compromise public tranquillity, public order or national security.
6. Except for the above provisions, the laws and regulations in force in the Benelux States and the commonwealth of the Bahamas regarding access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of aliens, as well as the exercise of an activity, remain applicable.
7. Each government undertakes to re-enter on its territory at any time and without formality the persons who have entered this territory under the cover of a valid diplomatic and official passport or national service, issued by the Belgian, Luxembourg, Dutch or Bahamas authorities.
8. The signatory Governments shall, through diplomatic channels, transmit the specimens of their diplomatic and official passports or new or modified service, as well as the data concerning the use of these passports, to the extent possible, 60 days before their circulation.
9. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of the last notification attesting to the completion of all constitutional and legal formalities for its entry into force for a period of one year. If it has not been denounced 30 days before the end of this period, the Agreement will be considered extended for an indefinite period.
Upon the expiration of the first one-year period, each of the signatory Governments may denounce it on a 30-day notice to the Belgian government.
The denunciation by one of the signatory Governments will result in the repeal of the Agreement.
The Belgian Government will notify the other signatory Governments of the receipt of the notifications referred to in this paragraph and the communication referred to in this paragraph.
10. The application of this Agreement may be suspended by either of the Contracting Parties.
The suspension should be notified immediately through diplomatic channels to the Belgian government. The Government will notify other signatory Governments of the receipt of this notification. The same shall be done as soon as the measure in question is lifted.
11. With regard to the Kingdom of the Netherlands the application of this Agreement may be extended to the Netherlands Antilles and to Aruba by a notification from the Government of the Netherlands to the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Excellency, I have the honour to mark our agreement on the proposal that the Note by Your Excellency and this Note constitute the Agreement between the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the Benelux States concerning the abolition of the travel visa requirement for holders of a diplomatic, official or service passport,
I take this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurance of my high consideration.
For the Commonwealth Government of the Bahamas.
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