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Law Approving The Treaty Of Understanding And Cooperation Between The Kingdom Of Belgium, The French Community Of Belgium, The Flemish Community Of Belgium, German Speaking Community Of Belgium, The Walloon Region Of Belgium, The Flemish Region

Original Language Title: Loi portant assentiment au traité d'entente et de coopération entre le Royaume de Belgique, la Communauté française de Belgique, la Communauté flamande de Belgique, la Communauté germanophone de Belgique, la Région wallonne de Belgique, la Région flamande

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belgiquelex.be - Carrefour Bank of Legislation

31 AOUT 1998. - An Act to approve the Treaty of Agreement and Cooperation between the Kingdom of Belgium, the French Community of Belgium, the Flemish Community of Belgium, the German-speaking Community of Belgium, the Walloon Region of Belgium, the Flemish Region of Belgium, the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium and Ukraine, signed in Brussels on 23 April 1997 (1) (2) (3)



ALBERT II, King of the Belgians,
To all, present and to come, Hi.
The Chambers adopted and We sanction the following:
Article 1er. This Act regulates a matter referred to in Article 77 of the Constitution.
Art. 2. The Treaty of Understanding and Cooperation between the Kingdom of Belgium, the French Community of Belgium, the Flemish Community of Belgium, the German-speaking Community of Belgium, the Walloon Region of Belgium, the Flemish Region of Belgium, the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium and Ukraine, signed in Brussels on 23 April 1997, will emerge its full and full effect.
Promulgation of this Act, order that it be clothed with the seal of the State and published by the Belgian Monitor
Given in Brussels on 31 August 1998.
ALBERT
By the King:
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
E. DERYKE
Seal of the state seal:
Minister of Justice,
T. VAN PARYS
____
Note
(1) Session 1997-1998.
Senate:
Documents. - Bill tabled on 10 April 2000, No. 1-794-1. - Report, no. 1-794/2. - Text adopted in session and transmitted to the Chamber, No. 1-794/3.
Annales parliamentarians. - Discussion, meeting of March 26, 1998. - Vote, meeting of 26 March 1998.
Chamber:
Documents. - Project transmitted by the Senate, No. 1479/1.
Annales parliamentarians. - Discussion, meeting of 22 April 1998.- Vote, meeting of 18 April 1998.
(2) See also the Decree of the French Community of 6 April 1998 (Moniteur belge of 2 December 1998), the Decree of the Flemish Community of 17 July 2000 (Moniteur belge of 11 August 2000), the Decree of the German-speaking Community of 2 July 1998 (Moniteur belge of 7 November 1998), the Decree of the Walloon Region of 25 February 1999 (Moniteur belge du 11 et 12 mars 1999) and the Order of Brussels
(3) In accordance with its article 17, the Treaty entered into force on 10 December 2000.
Treaty of understanding and cooperation between the Kingdom of Belgium, the French Community of Belgium, the Flemish Community of Belgium, the German-speaking Community of Belgium, the Walloon Region of Belgium, the Flemish Region of Belgium, the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium and Ukraine
The Kingdom of Belgium, represented by the Federal Government
The French Community of Belgium, represented by the Government of the French Community,
The Flemish Community of Belgium, represented by the Flemish Government,
The German-speaking Community of Belgium, represented by the Government of the German-speaking Community,
The Walloon Region of Belgium, represented by the Walloon Regional Government,
The Flemish Region of Belgium, represented by the Flemish Government,
The Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium, represented by the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region,
Ukraine,
the Contracting Parties,
Noting that Ukraine is one of the successor States of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;
Convinced of the need to build their relationships on the principles of trust, the values of freedom, democracy and justice common to them;
Inspired by the idea of building a united Europe, a continent of democracy, peace and stability and eager to make their concrete contribution to this important process;
The following agreed:
Article 1er
Based on mutual respect and the desire to develop relations of friendship and cooperation in all areas, the Contracting Parties decide to give their relationships a new quality of understanding and partnership.
The Contracting Parties develop their relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality of rights, respect for the sovereignty and political independence of the Kingdom of Belgium and Ukraine, commitment to the principles of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and loyalty to the principles and commitments of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
This new quality of understanding and partnership, based on the willingness of the Contracting Parties to overcome the division of Europe in opposing blocs and the awareness of their responsibility for the consolidation of peace, security and stability in Europe, is reflected in all areas of their relations.
Article 2
The Contracting Parties confirm their commitment to the principles and purposes established by the Charter of the United Nations, and contribute by all means to the strengthening of the authority, role and effectiveness of the United Nations and to the full respect of the Charter of the United Nations by all Member States.
The Contracting Parties confirm their full commitment to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes contained in the Charter of the United Nations.
The Contracting Parties actively support the development of effective preventive diplomacy actions.
Article 3
The Contracting Parties confirm the important role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in developing stability and security in Europe and underline the fundamental importance of the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act, the Paris Charter for a New Europe, the Helsinki Document 1992, the Budapest Document 1994 and other documents of the OSCE.
The Contracting Parties promote the strengthening of the OSCE to prevent and resolve conflicts in Europe peacefully, to ensure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law and to promote economic cooperation.
They encourage the use of OSCE mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
They underline the importance of the OSCE Security Forum as a forum through negotiation and dialogue to advance in reducing the risk of military conflict and strengthening stability in Europe.
They welcome the adoption of a Code of Conduct regulating the political-military aspects of security.
They will strive to consolidate the role of the OSCE in the areas of preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Article 4
The Contracting Parties agree that security and stability must be based on dialogue, partnership and cooperation and the practical realization of the principle of adequate defence.
They underscore the need to vigorously pursue the disarmament and arms control process.
They believe that a peace order is strengthened by the implementation and compliance of agreements in the field of nuclear, conventional, chemical and biological weapons. They will endeavour to take in their legislation the necessary measures to regulate the transfer and transport to other countries of materials, technologies or equipment that could contribute to the development of nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the transfer of conventional weapons.
The Contracting Parties welcome the accession of Ukraine to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear State in accordance with the commitments made by Ukraine in Lisbon on 23 May 1992.
The Kingdom of Belgium supports the rapprochement and development of cooperation between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Article 5
The Contracting Parties recognize the important role of the European Union in the political, social and economic development of Europe.
They consider that the success of the reforms, the transition to the market economy and the integration of Ukraine into the world economy is favoured by its rapprochement with the European Union, including by the conclusion with it of the appropriate Agreements, such as the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Kingdom of Belgium promotes further development of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union.
The Contracting Parties support the cooperative efforts that take place within the framework of the Council of Europe. In particular, they recognize the importance of law development programmes and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The Kingdom of Belgium welcomes the accession of Ukraine as a full member to the Council of Europe.
Article 6
The Contracting Parties are intensifying their meetings at an appropriate level, including at the highest level, notwithstanding regular contacts at multiple multilateral and European Union meetings. These meetings address all issues of common interest.
Contracting Parties promote regular consultations on current issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They promote the development of inter-parliamentary relations, the expansion of contacts between their social organizations, their local institutions and bodies and their citizens.
Article 7
The Contracting Parties, in accordance with the 1992 Vienna Document on Ways of Confidence-building and Security in Europe, are developing contacts between representatives of their military forces in order to promote the consolidation of mutual trust, the climate of peace and security in Europe.
Article 8
The Contracting Parties emphasize the importance of a better understanding of their respective judicial systems.
They promote cooperation between their justice institutions in particular in the field of mutual legal assistance in civil and criminal matters, as well as among public bodies in the fight against organized crime, theft of means of transport, international terrorism, illegal drug trafficking and smuggling, including illegal trafficking in objects of art, weapons, explosives and nuclear materials.
They recall that these materials have already been the subject of several multilateral conventions concluded within the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. These instruments, ratified very broadly, will be the subject of a priority review by the Contracting Parties in the light of their future relations.
Article 9
The Contracting Parties agree on the importance of the problem of irregular immigration, the need to take steps to discourage irregular immigration and the duty of each State to reclaim its nationals in its territory.
They fully endorse the recommendations adopted by the Budapest Ministerial Conference from 15 to 16 February 1993 to prevent uncontrolled migration, and will work towards their timely and comprehensive implementation.
Article 10
The Contracting Parties undertake to ensure the necessary conditions for the effective development of economic relations. The Kingdom of Belgium and Ukraine are working to improve the conditions of their business activity in the other respective territory, in particular with regard to the promotion and protection of investment, the prevention of double taxation and the development of direct contacts between their companies and financial institutions.
The Contracting Parties undertake to agree as soon as possible on the settlement of disputes raised by each Party and relating to the financial and material aspects of the property and interests of their natural and legal persons.
The Contracting Parties accept the principle that a solution for these disputes can be found as soon as possible. In this context, they do not exclude the principle of arbitration as long as this does not contradict their respective legislation. The Contracting Parties shall establish in future technical agreements the areas for arbitration.
The Contracting Parties consider that cooperation in the field of training of managers and technicians is of particular importance when addressing the development needs of national economies.
The Contracting Parties promote a broad exchange of economic, scientific and technical information and access to this information for their businessmen and scientists.
Article 11
As part of their cooperation in the commercial, economic and financial fields, Contracting Parties will strive to improve their trade, including in the following areas:
- energy;
- transport and communications;
- extractive industries (coal, iron ore and non-ferrous);
- heavy equipment, machine tools and equipment construction;
- chemistry and pharmaceutical industry;
- agriculture and agro-industry;
- shipbuilding;
- the light industry;
and other areas of common interest.
A Joint Commission, composed of senior representatives appointed by the Contracting Parties, will be established to ensure the implementation of this Article. It will examine the programmes submitted by each of the Contracting Parties, as well as proposals aimed at promoting cooperation between them. The Joint Commission may invite representatives of interested organizations and companies to participate in its work.
Article 12
The Contracting Parties propose to develop cooperation in the humanitarian field by assigning a primary importance to respect for democracy and universally recognized human rights standards, including to facilitate the activity of charitable organizations.
They promote the conclusion, where appropriate, of administrative arrangements with local authorities to facilitate actions in emergencies.
The Kingdom of Belgium and Ukraine undertake to cooperate in order to clarify the fate of their nationals who have disappeared in the other respective territory.
Article 13
The Contracting Parties agree on the importance of OSCE commitments to freedom of movement and travel for all their citizens in their respective territories.
They will examine the steps to be taken to implement these commitments in accordance with their national legislation and international agreements that already bind each Contracting Party in this regard.
Article 14
The Contracting Parties promote cooperation in the field of fundamental and applied scientific research, and encourage direct contacts between scientists and science and research institutions for the common use of their acquisitions.
Article 15
The Contracting Parties consider that culture, arts, education and information, sports and youth exchanges are areas of special cooperation.
The Contracting Parties consider that their cooperation in these areas constitutes a contribution to the formation of a common European cultural space.
Article 16
The Contracting Parties, aware of the universal nature of environmental protection issues, will examine opportunities to cooperate most effectively in this area, including the elimination of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and nuclear security in general.
The Contracting Parties promote the coordination of actions and the development of cooperation in this area at the European and international levels.
Article 17
Each Contracting Party shall notify the other Party of the procedures required by its legislation for the implementation of this Treaty.
The Treaty shall enter into force thirty days after the receipt of the last notification.
This Treaty shall be concluded for a period of five years. Its validity shall be extended by tacit renewal of two years in two years, unless one of the Contracting Parties notify the other, in writing and with a notice of six months before the current period of validity, its decision to denounce the Treaty.
In faith, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
Done in Brussels on 23 April 1997, in two copies, in each of the following languages: French, Dutch, German and Ukrainian. The texts of each language are equally authentic.
For the Kingdom of Belgium,
For the French Community of Belgium,
For the Flemish Community of Belgium,
For the German-speaking Community of Belgium,
For the Walloon Region of Belgium,
For the Flemish Region of Belgium,
For the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium,
For Ukraine.