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, illegal trafficking in human beings, and terrorism constitute a threat requiring broad and effective international co-operation in order to combat it,

recognizing 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 area of Justice and Home Affairs,

being guided by Principles of equality, reciprocity and benefit to both Contracting Parties,

have agreed to continue the close co-operation and therefore the following applies:

Article 1

Within the framework of their national legislations, each Contracting Party undertakes to further strengthen the co-operation between them within the area of Justice and Home Affairs. In doing so the Contracting Parties’ authorities shall pay special attention to the areas of activity set out in the Annex to this Agreement. The Annex is an integral part of this Agreement. The co-operation measures under this Agreement shall for the Swedish Contracting party be in accordance with the guidelines in the Swedish Government’s country strategy paper on the Republic of Latvia.

Article 2

The Contracting Parties shall, with the aim to further strengthen the co-operation, pay attention to the various possible sources for funding available, bilateral as well as multilateral.

Article 3

Each Contracting Party commissions the authorities concerned by this Agreement to be responsible for the implementation of the co-operation activities.

Article 4

A mutual evaluation of this Agreement shall be carried out annually by the Minister of the Interior and Justice of the Republic of Latvia and the Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Article 5

This Agreement shall enter into force directly upon signature and remain in force until 31 December 2003.

It shall remain in force until its expiration unless terminated by written notification from either one of the Contracting Parties. The termination will be effective at the expiration of three months after the receiving such a notification.

If the Contracting Parties so agree, amendments and additions may be introduced into the Agreement and/or its Annex by a written procedure.

Done at Riga on the 31st day of January 2002 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 On behalf of the Government

of the Republic of Latvia of the Kingdom of Sweden

Minister of the Interior Minister of Justice

M.Segliņš T.Bodström

Minister of Justice

I.Labucka

Annex

The Contracting Parties of the Agreement of 31 January 2002 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 have set out, whereas at the same time giving appraisal to the on-going co-operation between the Contracting Parties in the whole area of Justice and Home Affairs, the following areas of activity as priority areas for the years 2002 and 2003. In doing so, attention should in particular be paid to the various multilateral sources for funding. Furthermore the Contracting Parties shall pay special attention to the Laeken Summit’s Declaration as regards the need to strengthen efforts in relation to administrative and judicial capabilities.

The Contracting Parties’ Ministries responsible for the Justice and Home Affairs shall continue to deepen the on-going day-to-day co-operation. All points along the chain of justice should be considered. The Contracting Parties shall consider advice and exchange of experiences within the ongoing reforms of the area of Justice and Home Affairs, especially the reform of the Latvian Ministry of Justice.

The Contracting Parties shall aim to further deepen the co-operation in the field of judiciary. In doing so, the Contracting Parties shall pay special attention to further development of the existing twinning arrangements between specially appointed courts. In addition, the judiciary shall increase contacts on knowledge and experiences on development and other reform issues and on court management.

The Contracting Parties shall aim for bilateral assistance with regard to training of judges on European Communities Law during the course of year 2002.

The Contracting Parties shall consider the respective Contracting Parties’ experiences of the enforcement of the Schengen acquis. This could take the form of an exchange of experts, bilateral and multilateral seminars and day-to-day co-operation.

The Contracting Parties undertake to further deepen the co-operation in the policing area. The further forms of this co-operation shall be decided between the Contracting Parties respective police authorities. Special attention should be paid to support Latvia in the setting up of a national crime register.

The Contracting Parties shall develop a co-operation between the Contracting Parties’ forensic laboratories as part of the on-going co-operation between its police authorities.

The Contracting Parties shall pay special attention to an exchange of views in the area of data protection issues and on the fight against corruption in the European Union enlargement context.

The Contracting Parties shall increase the co-operation on crime prevention issues.

Taking into account the results of the ongoing day-to-day co-operation in the area of Prison and Probation Administration, the Contracting Parties shall consider further exchange of experiences on bilateral and multilateral level. The forms of an increased exchange shall be decided between the Contracting Parties’ respective Prison and Probation authorities.

A revision of the Annex will be carried out annually.