On economic cooperation

08.02.2023

Agreement

between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia

The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia (hereinafter referred to as the "Contracting Parties"),

Confirming the friendly relations between their States and inhabitants,

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 benefits arising from increased trade and the desire to further strengthen their 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

1. The Contracting Parties, within the framework of their national legislation and with due regard to their international obligations, shall make their best efforts to develop and strengthen economic cooperation on the widest possible scale and in all fields deemed to be of their mutual interest and benefit.

2. The cooperation carried out under this Agreement shall be aimed at:

exploiting economic potential in order to further strengthen bilateral economic relations;

intensifying bilateral economic relations, particularly by increasing trade turnover, as well as in the areas of investment, innovation and organising of economic events;

developing transport infrastructure; and

developing interregional economic cooperation.

Article 2

The Contracting Parties shall strive to create favourable conditions to strengthen economic cooperation, especially by:

developing cooperation between business entities based in the states of the Contracting Parties, including in the following fields: light industry, chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, energy industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metal industry, machinery, pulp and paper industry, and agriculture;

facilitating and supporting exchanges of business and economic information, and contacts between their authorities on economic cooperation;

encouraging joint production in areas of mutual benefit;

fundamental interaction in certification and standardisation;

assisting each other with the organisation of fairs, exhibitions, symposiums and similar events;

encouraging the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in bilateral economic exchanges;

promoting trade in goods and services and long-term cooperation in industry, infrastructure, telecommunications, transport and environmental protection; and

developing cooperation in the field of tourism.

Article 3

1. The Contracting Parties hereby establish the Joint Uzbek-Slovenian Commission on Economic Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the "Joint Commission").

2. The main objectives of the Joint Commission shall be as follows:

to monitor cooperation under this Agreement;

to identify areas of cooperation between the Contracting Parties and to make recommendations in this regard;

to develop and adopt coordinated measures to increase volumes and expand the range of mutual trade turnover;

to develop proposals aimed at expanding the possibilities of cooperation between the business communities of the two countries;

to exchange information of mutual interest, including on legislation and economic programmes;

to promote a coordinated policy in the field of transport and transit, development of international transport communications and logistics infrastructure;

to protect and promote the rights and legitimate interests of subjects of foreign economic activity of the Contracting Parties;

to identify problems impeding bilateral trade and economic cooperation and to propose measures to resolve them; and

to discuss contentious issues related to the implementation or interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement.

Article 4

The Joint Commission shall be composed of representatives of the Contracting Parties; where necessary, representatives of business communities may also be invited to participate in its work.

Article 5

1. The Joint Commission shall meet once a year or when necessary at the request of either Contracting Party alternately in the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Slovenia.

2. On the initiative of either Contracting Party, an extraordinary meeting of the Joint Commission may be convened or a meeting of the chairpersons may be initiated.

3. The dates and the agenda of the meetings of the Joint Commission shall be agreed by both Contracting Parties.

4. The host Contracting Party shall take 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 6

1. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the Contracting Parties under other international agreements to which their States are parties.

2. The provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the obligations arising from membership of the Republic of Slovenia of the European Union.

3. This Agreement shall be interpreted and implemented without prejudice to the obligations arising from the agreements concluded between the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part.

Article 7

Any disputes and issues arising from the implementation or interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement shall be settled between the Contracting Parties by consultations and negotiations.

Article 8

Either Contracting Party may suspend the Agreement in whole or in part for reasons of national security, public order or public health. The other Contracting Party shall be notified of the suspension of the present Agreement through diplomatic channels at least 72 hours prior to the introduction of such a measure.

Article 9

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth (30) day after the date of receipt of the last of the notifications by which the Contracting Parties notify each other that all internal legal procedures required for the entry into force of the Agreement have been completed.

2. This Agreement is concluded for a period of three (3) years and shall be automatically extended for successive one (1) year periods, unless either Contracting Party submits a written notification to the other of its intention to terminate the Agreement six (6) months prior to the expiration of any such period.

3. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties with separate protocols, which shall constitute an integral part of the Agreement and shall enter into force in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Done at Tashkent on 8 February 2023 in two originals in the Uzbek, Slovenian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

(signatures)