Unofficial translation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, hereinafter referred to as the “Parties,”
proceeding from the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between their countries and peoples, emphasizing their commitment to their further development,
highly appreciating the development of multilateral cooperation between the GUAM Member States,
considering the benefits to the Parties of the exchange of scientific information and practical experience in the field of foreign relations,
recognizing the important role of cooperation in the training of diplomatic personnel based on mutual respect, trust, and taking into account the interests of each Party,
affirming the need to improve the mechanism of communication and cooperation between the Parties in the above-mentioned area at the national and regional levels,
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Guided by the needs of the diplomatic services of the States, the Parties will carry out coordinated activities aimed at training their diplomatic representatives (hereinafter referred to as “Students”) in the educational institutions of the Parties, under the conditions defined by this Agreement and its Additional Protocols (hereinafter referred to as “Additional Protocols”).
Article 2
Students will be trained at the educational institutions of the Parties in the national language, according to the plans and programs adopted by the Parties’ educational institutions, taking into account the level of proficiency of the students.
If necessary, training plans and programmes will be agreed upon by the Parties.
The Parties will not require students to perform assignments unrelated to their studies at educational institutions or that extend beyond their duties as students.
Students will receive annual leave according to the curriculum.
Article 3
Additional protocols shall conclude by the Parties before (date, month) of the year preceding the commencement of training. The Protocols shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
The Additional Protocols shall specify:
-name of educational institutions;
-number of students, separately for a full course and short courses;
-specialty and specialization of training;
-position, name, diplomatic rank and educational level of the participants;
-conditions of housing;
-duration of the training;
-need for a language course that includes specific terminology;
-terms of financial calculations by the Parties.
Article 4
Upon arrival at educational institutions, students must carry with them:
– a curriculum vitae;
– certified copies of documents (on higher education);
– a passport for travel abroad;
– a health certificate no more than two months old;
– a negative AIDS test;
– an insurance policy for emergency medical care;
– a certified copy of a birth certificate;
– 6 photographs (40 x 60 mm);
– a return ticket with an open return date of up to one year.
If students fail to arrive at the educational institution for training without a valid reason within 15 days of the scheduled start date of training, they will be expelled from the educational institution, and the sending Party will be notified accordingly. Students must comply with the laws of the host country and respect the customs and traditions of its people.
Article 5
The hosting Party shall provide the students with:
– teaching staff and support personnel;
– textbooks, manuals, classroom and laboratory equipment, facilities for practical training, as well as other aids, materials, and models required for the training process in accordance with curricula and syllabi;
– access to libraries, sports halls, reading rooms, and other facilities during the training period;
– accommodation in accordance with the standards established for the respective categories of specialists (unless a different arrangement is stipulated in an additional Protocol).
Article 6
The sending Party shall ensure students with:
– the timely arrival of students at educational institutions, as well as their travel and transportation of their baggage to and from the training location, including provision of tickets and accommodation for students during travel;
– determining the arrangements for students’ vacations, travel to and from the vacation location, and return within the timeframes established in the Additional Protocols;
-payment of students’ allowances (salaries, stipends).
In all other cases, students shall pay for travel not related to training at their own expense. The Sending Party shall take measures to ensure that its students comply with all recommendations of their instructors during their studies at educational institutions.
Article 7
Students who commit an offense during their studies will be held accountable in accordance with the current legislation of the host country.
For students who violate the laws of the host country, fail to adhere to public order and the internal regulations of educational institutions, fail to comply with the curriculum requirements, or are deemed unfit for further study due to health reasons, the receiving country will submit documents to the sending country for a decision on their expulsion from the educational institution and their recall to their home country.
Article 8
The Host Party shall provide medical care to the students, and, if necessary, hospitalization, in accordance with the national legislation of the Parties.
Article 9
In a case of death of a student during his or her stay in the territory of the receiving Party, the sending Party will, at its own expense, ensure the implementation of measures related to the student’s repatriation.
The receiving Party will promptly notify the sending Party on the student’s death, and the cause of death will be determined by competent authorities. The receiving Party will provide copies of the documents regarding the student’s death to the sending Party.
Article 10
The student who has completed the training program, passed the exams and defended the diploma work (project, assignment), is awarded a qualification according to the specialty, is given a diploma and a badge of the state model.
The student who has completed a short-term course is issued a certificate.
Article 11
Scientific and doctoral theses, master’s theses of the students may be transferred to the sending Party in accordance with the legislation of the host Party within one year after completion of their studies.
Article 12
For the implementation of this Agreement, the Parties shall authorize:
a) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Directorate of Human Resources and Professional Development,
b) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia – Department for Human Resources Management,
c) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova – Personnel Administration,
d) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine – Personnel Department.
Article 13
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its signature, and for those States whose domestic legislation requires completion of domestic procedures, on the date the depositary receives through diplomatic channels the last written notification of the Parties’ completion of all domestic procedures necessary for its entry into force.
This Agreement may be amended and supplemented by mutual written consent of the Parties, which shall be formalized in separate Protocols that shall form an integral part of this Agreement and shall enter into force in accordance with the procedure established in Article 13 of this Agreement.
This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period.
Each Party has the right to terminate this Agreement, but not earlier than six months after it has given a written notice of its intention to the other Parties.
In the event of termination of this Agreement, its provisions shall continue to apply to students who have been trained under this Agreement and who, at the time of termination, have not completed the full training program or short course.
Done in Kyiv on May 22, 2006, in a single original copy in the English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.
In the case of any dispute regarding the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.
