Agreement Between The Government Of The Republic of Latvia And The Government Of The Republic Of Croatia On Mutual Abolition Of Visa Requirements

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

desiring to facilitate travels of their nationals and to develop friendly relations between the two countries,

have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Nationals of either Contracting Party holding a valid travel document, as specified in the Annex to the present Agreement, may enter repeatedly the territory of the other Contracting Party and stay there for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days all together during one (1) calendar year without being required to obtain visa.

Article 2

1. Nationals of either Contracting Party holding valid diplomatic or service passports who are appointed to the diplomatic mission or consular post of that Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party, or are representatives to the international organizations residing on the territory of the other Contracting Party may enter into that territory without a visa, stay there for the period of their assignments and leave the country without a separate permission.

2. Nationals of one Contracting Party who are members of family of the persons referred to in paragraph 1 and who live with them in the household, may enter into the territory of the other Contracting Party, stay there during the period of their assignments without a visa and leave it without a separate permission if they themselves are holders of a valid diplomatic or service passport.

Article 3

Excluding the provisions of Article 2 visa exemption does not grant the right to work to the citizens of the Contracting Parties. Persons who enter the territory of the other Contracting Party with the aim of work, to carry a profession, to study or for a period exceeding ninety (90) days during one (1) calendar year are obliged to get visas beforehand.

Article 4

Nationals of either Contracting Party may enter and leave territory of the other Contracting Party at each border crossing point open for international passenger traffic, provided that they met the conditions required by national legislation of the other Contracting Party for the entry, movement or sojourn of foreigners.

Article 5

Nationals of either Contracting Party will be obligated to respect the laws of the other Contracting Party during their sojourn on its territory.

Article 6

1. Each Contracting Party will reserve right to refuse the entry or to terminate the term of stay on its territory of citizens of the other Contracting Party for reasons of national security, public health and order.

2. Each Contracting Party undertake to readmit, without special formalities, into its territory, any of its own nationals.

Article 7

1. Nationals of the either Contracting Party who have lost a travel document specified in the Annex of the present Agreement on the territory of the other Contracting Party, will be obliged to report it immediately to the competent authorities of that Contracting Party, which will issue them free of charge document certifying this fact.

2. In case of paragraph 1 of this Article, the diplomatic mission or consular post of either Contracting Party will provide its citizens with the temporary travel documents to be used to leave the territory of the other Contracting Party.

Article 8

1. The Contracting Parties will exchange through diplomatic channels specimens of their valid travel documents specified in the Annex to the present Agreement not later than thirty (30) days before the entry into force of the present Agreement.

2. If either Contracting Party modifies its travel documents specified in the Annex to the present Agreement or introduces any new travel documents after entry into force of the present Agreement, it will provide the other Contracting Party with the specimens of such documents trough diplomatic channels at least thirty (30) days before they are introduced.

Article 9

1. Either Contracting Party may temporarily suspend the application of the present Agreement wholly or partially, except of Paragraph 2 of Article 6, for the reasons of national security or public order.

2. Either Contracting Party will immediately notify the other Contracting Party through diplomatic channels for the introduction or the withdrawal of such measures. These measures will enter into force thirty (30) days after the notification has been presented to the other Contracting Party.

Article 10

The present Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time. Either Contracting Party may terminate it at any moment with thirty (30) days previous notice in writing through diplomatic channels.

Article 11

Any amendment of the present Agreement agreed upon by the Contracting Parties will be effected by exchange of notes.

Article 12

The present Agreement will enter into force on the thirtieth (30th) day after the date of the receipt of the latter note by which the Contracting Parties notify each other of the fulfilment of all internal legal requirements necessary for its entry into force.

Done in Riga on September 21, 1998 in two originals, each in the Latvian, Croatian and English languages, all being equally authentic. In case of any difference in its interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT

OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

VALDIS BIRKAVS MLADEN IBLER

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY

AND PLENIPOTENTIARY

Annex

To The Agreement Between

The Government Of The Republic Of Latvia

And The Government Of The Republic Of Croatia

On Mutual Abolition Of Visa Requirements

The travel documents of the Republic of Latvia shall be as follows:

— diplomatic passport;

— ordinary passport;

— return certificate;

— seamen’s book.

The travel documents of the Republic of Croatia shall be as follows:

— diplomatic passport;

— service passport;

— ordinary passport;

— travel certificate;

— group passport;

— seamen’s book.