The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Swiss Federal Council (hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”)
DESIRING to promote further the close and friendly relations existing between the Parties;
RECOGNIZING the importance of science and technology in the development of prosperous national economies;
CONVINCED that international cooperation in science and technology will strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between their peoples and will advance the development of science and technology to the benefit of both countries;
SUPERSEDING the provision of scientific and technological cooperation under Letter of Intent signed on July 11, 2006;
PURSUANT TO the prevailing laws and regulations in the respective countries;
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Objectives
The Parties shall promote the cooperation in the fields of science and technology between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Cooperating organizations may include scientific institutes, scientific societies, universities, government agencies and other research and development organizations.
Article 2
Scope of Cooperation
According to this Agreement, scientific and technological cooperation shall be promoted through:
a/ Scientific and technological joint research and development projects in areas jointly agreed upon;
b/ Exchange of scientists, specialists, researchers and experts;
c/ Exchange of scientific and technological information and documentation;
d/ Joint scientific conferences, symposia, workshops and other meetings;
e/ Other forms of scientific and technological cooperation, mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
Article 3
Expenses
The Parties shall bear the expenses incurred in connection with the cooperative activities under this Agreement on the basis of the principle of equality and reciprocity and in accordance with the availability of assets.
Article 4
Medical Matters
Scientists, specialists, researchers and experts participating in exchanges under this agreement shall have, prior to entering the host country, appropriate health insurance coverage for the period of their stay in the host country.
Article 5
Designated Ministries
For implementation of this Agreement, the Parties designate the following ministries:
– For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia: The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia,
– For Switzerland, the State Secretariat for Education and Research, Federal Department of Home Affairs.
Article 6
Establishment of the Joint Working Committee
For the purpose of the implementation of this Agreement the designated institutions shall establish a Joint Working Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Working Committee”) which shall consist of equal number of representatives and experts designated by each responsible institution.
The Joint Working Committee shall:
a. review the progress in cooperative activities under this Agreement;
b. identify fields and forms of cooperation,
c. elaborate platforms of cooperation, including the financial issues,
d. prepare periodic reports concerning the activities undertaken under this Agreement.
The Joint Working Committee shall meet periodically, every two years, or at the request of either Party, alternately in the Republic of Slovenia and in Switzerland.
Article 7
Amendments
This Agreement may be amended or modified by mutual consent of the Parties in writing. The amendment or modification which has been agreed by the Parties shall take place through exchange of diplomatic notes and shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
Article 8
Settlement of Disputes
Any disputes related to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultations or negotiations.
Article 9
Entry into force, Duration and Termination
This Agreement shall enter into force upon exchange of notes confirming that the Contracting Parties have fulfilled all necessary legal requirements for entry into force of this Agreement.
This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years and shall be automatically extended for consecutive periods of one year, unless either Party notifies the other in writing six months in advance of its intention to terminate this Agreement.
The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or the duration of any specific arrangement of projects or activities made under this Agreement until the completion of such specific arrangements of projects or activities.
IN WITNESS WHERE OF, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective governments, have signed this Agreement.
DONE in duplicate in Ljubljana on 2(na nd) of March 2008 in the Slovenian, French and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of different interpretation of the Agreement, the English text shall prevail.
For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia
Mojca Kucler Dolinar (s)
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
For the Swiss Federal Council
Pascal Couchepin (s)
President of the Swiss Confederation