Republike Slovenije
Dušan Lesjak l.r.
državni sekretar
Ministrstvo
za visoko šolstvo,
znanost in tehnologijo
Za Flamsko skupnost
in Flamsko regijo,
ki ju zastopa Vlada Flandrije
Veerle Lories l.r.
namestnica generalnega sekretarja
Sektor za gospodarstvo,
znanost in inovacije
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region represented by the Government of Flanders (hereinafter referred to as the “Contracting Parties”)
RECOGNIZING the importance of science and technology in the development of prosperous national economies
and,
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,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The Parties shall promote, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations, 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
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
Cooperation under this Agreement shall be subject to the applicable laws and regulations in force respectively in the two countries.
Article 4
The Contracting 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 5
The Contracting Parties shall ensure appropriate and efficient protection of intellectual property rights obtained on the basis of this Agreement, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in their respective countries and in accordance with the international agreements to which they are parties.
Article 6
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 7
Scientists, specialists, researchers, experts and institutions from other countries or international organizations may be invited, upon consent of both cooperating organizations, to participate in activities performed under this Agreement.
The costs of such participation shall normally be covered by the third party, unless otherwise agreed in writing by both sides.
Article 8
For the purpose of the implementation of this Agreement the Government of the Republic of Slovenia designates the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Flanders designates the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation.
Article 9
For the purpose of the implementation of this Agreement the designated institutions shall establish a Joint Board for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Board”) which shall consist of equal number of representatives and experts designated by each responsible institution.
The Joint Board 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 Board shall meet periodically, normally every two years, or at the request of either party, alternately in the Republic of Slovenia and in Flanders.
Article 10
The provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended in writing by consent of both Contracting Parties.
Article 11
Any disputes related to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled through consultations within the Joint Board or between the designated institutions.
Article 12
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 five yeas, unless either Contracting 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 projects or programs undertaken under this Agreement and not fully executed at the time of the termination of this Agreement.
Done in Ljubljana on 13 February 2008 in two originals in Slovenian, Dutch 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
Dušan Lesjak (s)
State Secretary
for Higher Education, Science
and Technology
The Flemish Community
and the Flemish Region
and represented by the
Government of Flanders,
by delegation, in the person of
Veerle Lories (s)
acting Secretary General
of the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation