Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma o razvojnem sodelovanju med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Republike Zelenortski otoki (BCVRS)

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Cape Verde (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”),

Taking into consideration the guidelines of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the cooperation of the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde and the implementation of the Special Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde, and reaffirming the efforts of the international community in the country,

In the desire that the Republic of Slovenia contribute to the economic and social development of the Republic of Cape Verde and its attainment of development goals, with the assistance of international organisations, financial institutions and other donors,

Aiming to establish a legal basis for cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Cape Verde based on partnership and transparency of development cooperation, with the objective of contributing to the economic development of the Republic of Cape Verde,

Have agreed as follows:

1. The target areas of development cooperation shall be as follows:

(a) Enhancing good governance, the rule of law and social services;

(b) Fostering sustainable economic development;

(c) Environmental protection;

(d) Health;

(e) Support for education and the granting of scholarships;

(f) Empowerment of women;

(g) Promotion of cooperation of local self-governments;

(h) Promotion of cooperation between non-governmental organisations.

2. Specific forms of development cooperation under this Agreement shall be in compliance with the long-term programme of international development cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia and shall be agreed upon by Memoranda of Cooperation concluded between the project and programme holders or providers and the beneficiaries in the Republic of Cape Verde.

1. Within the framework of development cooperation, the Republic of Slovenia shall provide to the Republic of Cape Verde development assistance to be determined by the value of planned programmes and projects agreed upon in the Memoranda of Cooperation referred to in Article 1, paragraph 2 hereof.

2. The implementation of a specific programme or project shall be proposed either by the Joint Committee referred to in Article 6 hereof or by individual holders and providers of specific development cooperation activities/projects.

3. All equipment, services, materials and other resources financed by the Republic of Slovenia within the scope of the programmes and projects under this Agreement on development cooperation shall be exempt from taxes, duties and other compulsory charges applied in the Republic of Cape Verde or subject to reimbursement according to the legislation applicable in the Republic of Cape Verde.

4. All employment contracts, professional services, equipment and supplies provided under the cooperation programme shall be exempt from all national and municipal taxes and duties applied in the Republic of Cape Verde, including Value Added Tax (VAT). The legislation on public contracts applicable in the Republic of Cape Verde does not apply to the above acquisitions and contracts.

5. The customs procedure under the special law (lex specialis) for cooperative agents shall be applied to persons appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia involved in the implementation of projects, as well as to their family members.

6. Foreign personnel appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, and their family members shall be exempt from direct taxes and similar charges applied in the Republic of Cape Verde.

7. Foreign personnel appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and their family members shall be granted, without cost or delay, entry visas, exit visas, residence permits, work permits and other related documents required by the Government of the Republic of Cape Verde.

In the assessment and monitoring of development programmes and projects, the Parties shall comply with the criteria and procedures applicable in the European Union.

1. In the implementation of this Agreement, the Republic of Slovenia shall respect its obligations arising from the acquis communautaire.

2. Projects and activities financed under the development assistance programme shall comply with European Union policies, including those concerning environmental protection, gender equality, transport, Trans-European Networks (TENs), competition, and public procurement.

1. The Parties agree that other countries and/or international organisations both from the UN development system and others, as well as other institutions of regional cooperation may participate in the financial support for the implementation of projects and activities under this Agreement.

2. The financial support from other partners shall not exceed 90 per cent of total project value.

1. A Joint Committee shall be established, tasked primarily with proposing priorities, programmes and projects of international development cooperation, taking into account the assessment of development cooperation programmes and projects that have already been concluded. The Joint Committee shall be composed of two members from each Party.

2. The members of the Joint Committee shall be appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cape Verde, respectively.

3. The authorities competent for the coordination of activities and monitoring the implementation of development cooperation programmes and projects shall be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of the Republic of Cape Verde.

In case of impediments to the implementation of this Agreement due to force majeure recognised by the Parties (such as war, civil unrest or natural disasters), the Parties may agree on temporary suspension of programmes and projects which are being implemented.

Any disputes arising from the implementation of this Agreement shall be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The Parties may amend this Agreement. Any amendment shall take effect according to the procedure set forth in Article 10, paragraph 1.

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last of the two notifications by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures required for its entry into force have been completed.

2. This Agreement shall be concluded for an indefinite period of time, unless either Party terminates it by written notification through diplomatic channels. The Agreement shall cease to apply six months following the receipt of such notification through diplomatic channels.

Done in New York on 22 September 2010 in duplicate in the English language.