Agreement Between The Government Of The Republic Of Latvia And The Government Of The Kingdom Of Sweden

On Development Co–operation And Technical Assistance In The Area Of Justice And Home Affairs

The Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, hereinafter called the Contracting parties,

being aware of the growing risk that the spread of organised crime, illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, national and international terrorism constitute a threat requiring broad and effective international co–operation in order to combat it,

recognising the need for Latvia to prepare for membership in the European Union,

finding it therefore a matter of necessity to strengthen the development co–operation and technical assistance in the field of Justice of Home Affairs,

being guided by principles of equality, reciprocity and benefit to both Contracting Parties, have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Within the framework of their national legislations, each Contracting Party undertakes to implement the attached Action plan on development co–operation and technical assistance in the area of Justice and Home Affairs, hereinafter called the Action plan. The Action plan is an integral of this agreement.

Article 2

Each Contracting Party commissions the authorities included in the Action plan to be responsible for the implementation.

Article 3

A mutual evaluation of the implementation of the Action plan shall be carried out annually by the Ministers of Interior and Justice of the Republic of Latvia and the Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Article 4

This Agrreement shall enter into force directly upon signature and remain in force until 31 Dcember 2001.

It shall remain if force unless terminated by written notification form either one of the Contracting Parties. The termination will be effective at the expiration of three months after the date of receiving such as notification.

If the Contracting Parties so agree, amandments and additions may be introduced into the Agreement by a written procedure.

Done at Riga on the 2nd day of December 1998 in duplicate in Latvian, Swedish and English languages, the three texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation the English text shall prevail.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Latvia:

Minister of Interior Roberts Jurdžs

Minister of Justice Ingrīda Labucka

On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden:

Minister of Justice Laila Freivalds