Za Vlado Za Svet ministrov Republike Slovenije
Samuel Žbogar l.r.
Bosne in Hercegovine
Sven Alkalaj l.r.
In the spirit of friendly relations between both countries,
Guided by the wish to promote mutual economic coope ration,
Recognising the importance and significance of continuing and reinforcing the existing traditional economic relations,
Aiming at developing and intensifying mutually beneficial economic, industrial and technological cooperation, Believing that intensification of this cooperation creates favourable conditions and appropriate foundations for their further development,
Respecting the relevant legislation of the Republic of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in full accordance with international commitments,
Have, for the purpose of fulfilling these objectives, agreed as follows:
Article 1 Object and scope of the Agreement
This Agreement lays down the general conditions and forms of extension of economic cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Contracting Parties will be promoting, under its legislation, development and extension of mutually beneficial economic cooperation in all areas of importance for economic and social development.
Article 2 Competent authorities
The competent authorities – coordinators of the Contracting Parties – for the purposes of implementation of the Agreement shall be: For the Republic of Slovenia: Ministry of the Republic of Slovenia responsible for foreign trade relations. For Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Article 3 Areas of cooperation
Based on an analysis of the prospects of further development of economic relations, the Contracting Parties have agreed to develop cooperation in the following areas: a) Agriculture, forest and water management b) Transport and telecommunications c) Health d) Environment e) Education and science f) Tourism g) Mechanical industry h) Chemical industry i) Pharmaceutical industry j) Electrical engineering k) Mining industry l) Construction and rehabilitation of power plants, energy, gas and oil pipeline networks m) Information and computer technologies n) Interchange of knowledge and experiences, and extension of cooperation between small and medium enterprises.
Article 4 Forms of cooperation development
The Contracting Parties shall extend and develop mutual cooperation through: a) support of links and strengthening of cooperation on the level of public service bodies, professional chambers, business associations, regional and local entities, through promotion of information interchange in economic areas of bilateral importance; b) interchange of information on development priorities and promotion of participation of operators of developmental projects; c) interchange of information in economic area, support of participation in fairs and exhibitions, organisation of professional events, seminars, symposia and conferences; d) promotion of involvement in bilateral economic relations of small and medium-size enterprises in the private sector; e) promotion of cooperation in the provision of counselling, marketing and professional services in areas of bilateral interests; f) promotion of financial institutions and the banking sector in establishing closer contacts, through strengthening their cooperation; g) promotion of investment activities, establishment of joint ventures and by establishing representations and branches of enterprises; and h) promotion of the development of interregional cooperation and cooperation on international level in matters of bilateral interest.
Article 5 Joint Commission
1. of mutual economic cooperation, and to fulfill the aims set in this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall herewith establish a Joint Commission on economic cooperation (hereinafter: Commission). The Commission shall meet at the request of the Contracting Parties alternately in the Republic of Slovenia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The number of the Commission members on behalf of the Contracting Parties shall be determined by competent authorities – coordinators by mutual agreement. 2. The Commission shall particularly review issues connected with: a) evaluation of the level of development of mutual economic relations achieved in the preceding period; b) seeking new opportunities for further development of economic cooperation; c) elaborate suggestions for improving conditions of mutual economic cooperation; d) submission of suggestions for the application of this Agreement; and e) seeking consensus where the opinion of either Contracting Party concerning the application or interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement differs from that of the other Contracting Party. In order to coordinate activities and the development
Article 6 Legal binding quality
This Agreement does not affect the rights and commitments of the Contracting Parties to the Agreement under other international agreements whose parties are the Republic of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, or under their membership of international organizations. This Agreement does not affect the commitments under the membership of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union. The provisions of this Agreement may not be interpreted to violate or in any way affect commitments under the European Community Treaty or under agreements made between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Community.
Article 7 Resolution of disputes
Any disputes arising from the interpretation or performance under the provisions of this Agreement shall be resolved by mutual negotiations between the Contracting Parties.
Article 8 Final provisions
1. This Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the date of receipt of the last written notification that all internal legal requirements for the entry into force of the Agreement have been fulfilled and shall remain in force for a period of four years. Upon expiry of this period, the validity of the Agreement shall be automatically extended, for one year each time, unless either Contracting Party declares the Agreement terminated in writing through diplomatic channels at least six months prior to expiry thereof. 2. This agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties in writing. Any such amendments shall enter into force in accordance with the procedure described in paragraph 1 of this article. 3. On the date of entry into force of this Agreement the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed in Sarajevo on 7 November 1997, shall cease to have effect.
Done at Sarajevo on 19 January 2009 in two original copies, each in the Slovenian language, official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian, and in the English language, all texts being equally authentic. In the case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Government
of the Republic Slovenia
Samuel Žbogar (s)
For the Council
of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sven Alkalaj (s)