COOPERATION
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA AND
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY On Fighting Against
International Illicit Trafficking In Narcotic Drugs And
Psychotropic Substances, International Terrorism And Organized
Crime
The Government of the Republic of Latvia and The Government of
the Republic of Turkey (hereinafter referred to as
“Parties”).
Within the framework of already existing friendly relations
guided by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation Between the
Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Turkey signed on July 12,
1994,
Being aware of the Final Document of the Vienna Conference of
1989, Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and
of the Paris Charter adopted at the Paris Summit Meeting of 1990
and also of the relevant articles of the Declaration of the
Helsinki Summit Meeting of CSCE of 1992.
In accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of
1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the
United Nations Convention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.
Concerned about the danger created by international illicit
trafficking in drug and psyhchotropic substances, international
terrorism and international organized crime.
Keeping in mind the concern about the close relations between
international illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, international terrorism and
international organized crime.
Desirous to strengthen and deepen the cooperation between the
Law Enforcement Authorities of both countries on fighting against
international illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances, international terrorism and
international organized crime.
Acting by principle of equality and mutual benefit, the
Parties have agreed on the following articles:
CHAPTER ONE
COOPERATION ON
PUBLIC SECURITY
Article 1 — The Parties, due to the subjects contained
in this Agreement, shall mutually inform each other about the
identities of the other Party`s citizens and permanent residents
convicted of the crimes they have committed in their own
territories and those suspected or investigated by the other
Party in both countries and also about their involvement.
The Parties shall take necessary measures in accordance with
their national legislation's for direct expulsion, to their
original countries, of those convicted of the crimes contained in
this Agreement and released but decided to be expelled.
Article 2 — The Parties shall immediately transfer each
other the information they have obtained with regard to the
initiatives to commit a crime and criminal activities occurring
either in their own territory or abroad and targeting the other
Party.
Article 3 — The relevant Authorities of the Parties
shall exchange information on already discovered crimes and the
methods used while committing such crimes and also the measures
taken for the purpose of prevention of such crimes.
CHAPTER TWO
COOPERATION IN
THE FIELD OF FIGHTING AGAINST SMUGGLING OF NARCOTIC DRUGS AND
PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, ARMS AND CULTURAL POSSESSIONS AND OTHER
ORGANIZED CRIMES
Article 4 — The Parties shall cooperate for the purpose
of adopting preventive measures against abuse, spreading and
smuggling of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
contained in the Single Convention of 1961 and the Convention on
Psychotropic Substances of 1971 as well as of the substances
contained in the list attached to the UN Convention Against
Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
of 1988, identifying the members of illicit trafficking
organizations, controlling their activities and discovering the
methods used by the traffickers.
Article 5 — The Parties, in the investigations
interesting both Parties, shall send each other any information
relating to seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,
origins and results of analysis of the precursors used for
production of such substances as well as the information obtained
as a result of the investigation.
Article 6 — The Parties shall take necessary measure at
their state border points in order to prevent illegal entrance of
narcotic drugs into their country. Furthermore they shall
urgently exchange information relating to the identities of the
smugglers of the above—mentioned substances and of those who
carry out activities in this connection as well as the
information available or to be obtained with regard to the
methods used for transportation, concealment and distribution of
such substances.
The Parties shall on the basis of their national legislation,
and international obligations, facilitate the controlled delivery
of illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in order to
render possible the arrest of the persons to whom they will be
delivered as well as any other persons involved in the
trafficking, provided that the necessary information is submitted
upon the decision of the authorities who have authority or power
to give decision on controlled delivery as soon as possible.
Article 7 — The Parties shall undertake responsibility
within the international organizations in order to achieve
effective and fruitful results in fight against illicit
trafficking in narcotic drugs, and support each other.
Article 8 — In case a large—scale drug producing
laboratory which applies new methods, is revealed in the
territory of either Party, the structure, working methods,
technical features of that laboratory together with its
photographs and all related information shall be sent to the
other Party directly or through diplomatic channels by possible
means.
Article 9 — The Parties shall report to each other
about the measures adopted in the field of fighting against
narcotic drugs.
Furthermore they shall exchange films, brochures, searches and
publications which they have prepared with regard to the harms of
those substances as well as the works and studies warning the
public about this subject.
Article 10 — The Parties shall take all measures to
prevent illicit trafficking in precursors and inform each other
of the possible international illicit circulation of such
substances.
Article 11 — In case the Parties establish that the
investigation they conduct with regard to illicit drug
trafficking reveals relation with terrorism and organized crime,
they shall immediately transfer such related information to the
relevant Party and, if necessary, the investigation shall be
conducted. The Parties shall provide every kind of information
and documentation support necessary for the investigation.
Article 12 — The Parties shall cooperate and adopt
joint measures against smuggling of cultural and natural
possessions; crimes related to artistical works; illicit trade
and trafficking in valuable stones and mine; counterfeiting of
banknotes, securities and valuables, forgery of passports and
visas; money laundering; people smuggling, illicit trade and
trafficking in arms, ammunition, explosives, radioactives,
poisons and other dangerous substances, trafficking in stolen
vehicles and also other organized crimes.
The Parties shall take necessary measures providing the
cultural and historical objects to be sent back to the country
whom they belong to upon the determination of these objects are
being kept illegally.
CHAPTER
THREE
COOPERATION ON
COUNTER —TERRORISM
Article 13 — The Parties shall take effective measures
in order to prevent preparation and organization of terrorist
acts against the other Party`s security and citizens and
permanent residents within their boundaries.
Every kind of information and documents asked for in every
field with respect to terrorist incidents shall be transferred
and the fight shall be conducted jointly.
Article 14 — The cooperation on counter—terrorism shall
cover particularly the terrorist organizations and terrorist
activities which directly effect the interests of the Parties,
modus operandis and action methods of terrorist organizations,
technical and tactical methods used in the fight against such
organizations.
Direct exchange of information between the Authorities of both
Parties fighting against international terrorist organizations
and terrorist activities shall be tried to be provided.
Article 15 — The Parties, in the fight against
international terrorism, shall not allow the activities of the
terrorist organizations acting in their own territories against
the other Party and will fight against them as illegal
organizations .
Article 16 — The Parties shall take effective measures
for provision of security of their mutual Diplomatic
Missions.
CHAPTER FOUR
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Article 17 — The Parties shall mutually cooperate in
the field of professional training.
The Parties shall determine the training activities by
Protocols which will be concluded between the two Parties.
Article 18 — The Parties shall exchange information on
the technics and methods applied and developed in the fight
against crime and criminality and may send staff to the other
Party for specialist training in this field. In this context, the
Parties shall cooperate on personnel training within the
possibilities in their respective countries.
Article 19 — A Joint Commission composed of the
representatives of the Parties shall be established for
continuation of the cooperation and activating the Agreement.
The Joint Commission shall meet when necessary and at a
predetermined date alternately in the Republic of Latvia and in
the Republic of Turkey.
Article 20 — The Parties shall inform each other of
their telephone and fax numbers in order to provide direct
cooperation and assistance on the matters mentioned in this
Agreement as soon as possible.
The Parties may make use of Interpol channels in case of
emergency.
The requested Party shall bear the costs incurred by the
execution of the request for assistance.
Article 21 — The Parties may mutually assign police
liaision officers to their respective Embassies on the basis of
reciprocity or accept that the liaision officer working in
another country is accredited for their respective country.
Furthermore, the Parties may send experts to each other upon
approval.
Article 22 — In implementing the cooperation mentioned
in this Agreement, national legislation's of the Parties shall be
basis.
Article 23 — This Agreement shall not hinder the
implementation of the obligations of the Parties included in the
multilateral and bilateral Agreements to which they are already
bound.
Article 24 — Either Party may deny in whole or in part
or may condition to comply with the request for assistance or
cooperation in case this request harms its national sovereignty,
endangers its security or basic interests. In this situation,
this matter shall be notified to the other Party.
Article 25 — The information and documents to be
exchanged in accordance with this Agreement shall be kept
confidential upon request and be used in accordance with the
conditions and purposes determined by the delivering Party. The
document and information obtained through exchange procedure
shall not be forward to a third Party unless the consent of the
providing Party is received.
The Parties shall protect effectively delivered information
against unauthorized access, change and publication.
Article 26 — This Agreement shall come into force
through Exchange of Note.
The Agreement shall enter into force upon notification by both
Parties of the implementation of the constitutional obligations
according to which this Agreement takes effect.
The present Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite
period. Either Party may terminate the present Agreement by
declaration through diplomatic channels. The Agreement shall
cease to have effect six months after the date of receipt of such
a declaration by one Party.
Done at Riga on June 4, 1997 in two original copies in the
Latvian, Turkish and English languages all of which are
authentic. In case of any disagreement in interpretation, the
English text shall prevail.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Latvia
Dainis Turlais Minister of Interior
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Turkey Ayfer
Ilmaz Minister of State
