The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Montenegro (hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties"),
Confirming friendly relations between their states and their people,
Desiring to promote the development of economic cooperation in the fields of mutual interest on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and reciprocity,
Considering the mutual benefit arising from increased trade and investment, and the desire to further strengthen these relations, especially through the promotion of bilateral trade, economic ties and closer cooperation, and
considering the obligations of their respective states under international agreements,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The Contracting Parties, within the framework of their laws and regulations and considering their international obligations and agreements, shall make their best efforts to develop and strengthen economic cooperation on the widest possible scale and in all fields deemed to be in their mutual interest and to their benefit.
Article 2
The Contracting Parties, considering the current state and prospects of their economic relations, agree to create favorable conditions to enhance bilateral economic cooperation, in particular in following areas:
1. Industry 2. Agriculture 3. Forestry 4. Water economy 5. Energy sector 6. Research and development 7. Construction industry and infrastructure 8. Transport and logistic 9. Environmental protection 10. Tourism 11. Investment promotion 12. Small and Medium sized Enterprises cooperation 13. Information and communication technology and services 14. Other areas of economic cooperation, which shall be mutually agreed. Article 3 The Contracting Parties shall strive to create favourable conditions to strengthen economic cooperation, especially by: – Facilitating and supporting exchange and contacts between their economic operators, – Creating favourable investment conditions, – Facilitating the exchange of business and economic information, – Assisting each other with the organisation of fairs, exhibitions, symposiums and similar, – Facilitating the exchange of information on laws and regulations governing the economic activities in both coun
tries,
– Exchanging information on programs and projects, and encouraging the entrepreneurs to participate in their realization; – Expanding their co-operation in the field of small and medium sized enterprises, investments, – Enhancing their cooperation on the markets of third countries; – Promoting trade in goods and services, and long-term cooperation in the fields of industry, infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, environmental protection, and tourism. Article 4 To this end, the Contracting Parties hereby establish Joint Commission, which shall address the fields covered by this Agreement and – Identify fields to which cooperation between the Contracting Parties may be extended, propose measures and make recommendations for their implementation, – Elaborate proposals for improving the co-operation between economic operators of the two countries, – Exchange information on the economic situation in the two states, on regulations, economic programmes and other information of mutual interest, – Identify problems which hinder bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and propose measures for resolving these problems. Article 5 1. The Joint Commission shall be composed of representatives of the Contracting Parties and, where necessary, representatives of other public or private sector institutions may also be invited to participate. 2. Each Contracting Party shall designate a Chairperson on its part (referred to as "Co-chair"). Each Co-chair shall designate a Secretary for the respective part of the Commission. 3. For particular issues, the Commission may set up working groups and specify their tasks. Article 6 1. The Joint Commission shall meet once a year, when necessary, or at the request of either Contracting Party. 2. The dates and the agenda of meetings of the Joint Commission shall be agreed by both Contracting Parties. 3. The host Contracting Party shall take the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Commission, which shall be signed by the heads of both delegations at the end of the meeting. Article 7 This Agreement shall apply without prejudice to the rights and obligations arising from the international agreements binding on the Contracting Parties, as well as from their membership of international organisations. This Agreement shall apply without prejudice to the obligations arising from the membership of the Republic of Slovenia of the European Union. Article 8 1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of receipt of the last notification that all internal legal procedures for the entry into force of the Agreement have been concluded. 2. This Agreement shall be concluded for a period of three years and shall be automatically extended for successive one-year periods unless either Contracting Party submits a written notification to the other of its intention to terminate the Agreement six months prior to the expiration of the three-year period or any subsequent one-year period. 3. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the Contracting Parties. Done at Budva-Pržno on 5th day of September in two original copies in the English language. For the Government of the Republic of Slovenia mag. Dejan Židan (s) Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food
For the Government of Montenegro Vladimir Kavarić (s) Minister of Economy
Za Vlado Črne gore Vladimir Kavarić l.r. Minister za gospodarstvo