Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of Canada concerning mutual cooperation on housing-related matters

The Government of the Republic of Latvia represented by the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments (hereinafter referred to as “MRDLG”) and the Government of Canada represented by the Secretary of State, The Honorable Steven Mahoney, Secretary of State, responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “CMHC”) (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Parties”)

Attaching great importance to the development of the field of housing-related matters between the Parties; desiring to develop close cooperation between the Parties in the field by way of consultation and exchanging information and to promote joint efforts for the mutual benefit of the Parties.

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

The general areas for initial cooperation under this Memorandum of Understanding shall be:

(a) housing policy development;

(b) housing finance;

(c) residential property management;

(d) legal and institutional framework regarding residential property market and housing construction market;

(e) housing market analysis (including housing construction statistics);

(f) assisted housing;

(g) other areas of cooperation which may be mutually agreed upon between the Parties.

Article 2

Cooperation in the areas set forth in Article 1 may include the following:

(a) exchange of information, research materials and technological expertise related to housing;

(b) mutual participation in undertakings by which the Parties jointly provide information on housing and technological housing expertise to third party countries, housing agencies and other entities;

(c) exchange of the officials and staff engaged in housing research, and housing finance and provision of training on housing related issues;

(d) undertaking of joint research on housing related issues;

(e) organization of joint seminars workshops and conferences on housing related issues in two countries or elsewhere; and

(f) other forms of cooperation as mutually agreed upon between the Parties.

Article 3

3.1. Specific cooperative projects under this Memorandum of Understanding shall be carried out by CMHC and the agencies, institutes and organizations under the inferiority of the MRDLG.

3.2. The Parties may also invite participation of other governmental agencies, public institutions or private organizations.

Article 4

Both MRDLG or its inferiority Institutions and CMHC shall have the right to refuse to participate in any cooperative project under this Memorandum of Understanding specify the reason.

Article 5

It is understood that the extent of the specific projects undertaken under this Memorandum of Understanding will be contingent upon the availability of financial resources of MRDLG, and its inferiority institutions.

Article 6

6.1. Any information provided by either MRDLG and its inferiority institutions or CMHC in the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, or any other cooperative project under this Memorandum of Understanding, which is identified as being confidential, will be treated as confidential by the recipient, will be used only for the purposes for which it is provided and will not be disclosed to any third party.

6.2. All materials and documents of any kind provided by either MRDLG and its inferiority institutions or CMHC in the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, or any specific cooperative project under this Memorandum of Understanding, shall remain the exclusive property of MRDLG and its inferiority institutions or CMHC respectively, and all copyrights will remain with the owner of the materials and documents.

6.3. Any distribution or use of documents or materials provided by MRDLG and its inferiority institutions or CMHC to any third party will require the prior written consent of the owner of the materials or documents who reserves the right to charge fees in connection with this use or distribution.

6.4. All materials and documents produced as a result of this Memorandum of Understanding or as a result of any specific cooperative projects under this Memorandum of Understanding shall belong jointly to MRDLG, its inferiority institutions, who are participate in specific projects and CMHC, and all copyrights shall be held jointly.

6.5. All materials and documents produced as a result of this Memorandum of Understanding, or as a result of any specific cooperative projects under this Memorandum of Understanding will not be used, distributed or published without the written consent of MRDLG and CMHC.

Article 7

This Memorandum of Understanding is not intended to create legally enforceable rights or obligations.

Article 8

This Memorandum of Understanding will enter into force on the day upon which final approval is received from the respective Governments of the Parties and shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years from this date and will be terminated by any Party by providing notice in writing to the other Party six months in advance. Upon expiry, this Memorandum of Understanding may be extended for a period of four years at the request of the Parties.

Signed in Ottawa on the 29th day of September 2003, in duplicate in the Latvian, English and French languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.