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Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence
of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of National Defence
of the Portuguese Republic on Co-operation in Defence Matters

The Ministry of National Defence of the Portuguese Republic and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia, hereinafter referred to as "the Participants",
- Considering the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as a pillar of security and stability,
- Actively supporting the Partnership for Peace Programme,

- Reaffirming their devotion to the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter,
- Recalling that the aims and principles of the Paris Charter for a New Europe provide a new dimension to the relations between European countries,
- Expressing shared interest in the bilateral co-operation leading to a future integration of the Republic of Latvia into the transatlantic security institutions,
Have agreed as follows:

Section 1
Purpose

The purpose of the present Memorandum of Understanding is to provide a framework for co-operation between the Participants in defence matters within the limits of their national competencies.

Section 2
Areas of co-operation

1. The co-operation between the Participants will be developed in the following areas:
a) Defence and security policy;
b) Military legislation and doctrine;
c) Arms control and disarmament;
d) Planning and budgeting;
e) Military history, publications and museums;
f) Peace-support, search and rescue and humanitarian operations;
g) Armed forces organisation, within the fields of personnel, administration and logistics;
h) Environmental issues and pollution control within military facilities.
2. The areas mentioned above could be extended or limited by written consent of the Participants.
3. In order to fulfil the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding and to implement the co-operation in the areas mentioned in this Section, the Participants may conclude specific arrangements or protocols.

Section 3
Co-operation forms

The co-operation between the Participants will take the following forms:
a) Common activities within the Partnership for Peace Programme;
b) Official and working visits of delegations headed by high representatives of the Participants;
c) Exchange of experience between experts of the Participants in defence areas;
d) Exchange of observers to military exercises;
e) Exchange of technical, technological and industrial information and use of their capacities in areas of mutual interest, according to the national regulations of the Participants;
f) Meetings of representatives of military institutions;
g) Exchange of lecturers and attendance to courses, seminars and symposiums organised by the Participants.

Section 4
Joint Commission

1. In order to implement the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Participants decide to establish a Joint Commission in bilateral co-operation, henceforth called Commission.
2. The Commission will meet as a rule once a year, alternatively in the Portuguese Republic and in the Republic of Latvia, and it will be chaired by the chiefs of both delegations.
3. The Commission meeting's agenda will be defined by mutual agreement well in advance, at least one month prior to the meeting.
4. According to the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Participants undertake the commitment to conceive an annual co-operation programme, in terms to be established by the Commission.

Section 5
Organisational and financial aspects

1. The exchange of delegations of the Participants will be made on the basis of reciprocity and with regard to the following provisions:
a) The Sending Participant will bear the expenses for international transportation, and also those related with daily allowance and other expenditures;
b) The Receiving Participant will bear the expenses for accommodation and meals, transportation on its own territory, catering at the place of activity, as well as basic medical services in emergency cases.
2. If a delegation consists of more than 10 persons, a separate arrangement concerning financial expenses will be concluded.

Section 6
Protection of information

The Participants guarantee the protection of information exchanged during the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding. The Participants will not provide such information to any third Party without written consent of the Originating Participant.

Section 7
Settlement of disputes

Any dispute regarding the interpretation or the implementation of the provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding will be settled solely between the Participants, as soon as possible, through consultations and negotiations between the Participants, without referring to any international court or third Party.

Section 8
Commitments of the Participants
according to other international
agreements

This Memorandum of Understanding will not affect the commitments resulting for each Participant from other international agreements in which they are also engaged, and it's not directed against the security and territorial integrity of other States.

Section 9

Final provisions

1. This Memorandum of Understanding will enter into force on the date of its last signature and for unlimited time.
2. The Participants can make amendments and additions to the present Memorandum of Understanding on mutual consent in a written form.
3. Either Participant can terminate this Memorandum of Understanding by giving 6 (six) months prior written notification to the other Participant.

Signed in duplicate, in Munich, on the 6 of February 2004, in Portuguese, Latvian and English, each version being equally authentic.
In case of differences of interpretation, the English version will prevail.

For the Ministry For the Ministry
of Defence of National Defence
of the Republic of the Portuguese
of Latvia Republic
Minister of State and
Minister of Defence National Defence
Ģirts Valdis Paulo Sacadura
Kristovskis Cabral Portas