Unofficial translation

The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Education of Georgia, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, hereinafter referred to as the “Parties,”

Expressing their willingness to further strengthen and develop fruitful cooperation in the field of education, based on the principles of independence and integrity of the educational systems of their countries,

Recognizing the importance of intensification and mutual cooperation in the field of education in order to strengthen friendly relations between the GUUAM Participating States,

Aiming to identify new forms and areas of cooperation and to utilize the best practices of developed countries in the field of education within the GUUAM,

Have agreed as follows:

 Article 1

The Parties shall develop cooperation in the field of general secondary, vocational, specialized secondary, higher, and postgraduate education.

Article 2

 The Parties recognize the following as expedient:

  • to assist each other in developing cooperation with international organizations on educational and scientific matters;
  • to allocate quotas in state educational institutions for training specialists in areas of mutual interest to the Parties;
  • to exchange literature, textbooks, and teaching aids; to cooperate in the advanced training and professional development of teachers in general education schools;
  • to implement joint activities aimed at enhancing the educational process and to develop a pursuance of knowledge in the younger generation (contests, Olympic games, international competitions, joint creative programs, etc.);
  • to create favorable conditions for citizens of GUUAM Member States aimed at receiving education in educational institutions of GUUAM Member States on a compensatory basis.

Article 3

The Parties will cooperate in issues of training and retraining of highly qualified personnel and specialists, will facilitate their participation in international scientific conferences and symposia, and will also facilitate the conclusion of agreements between educational institutions for the exchange of students, undergraduates, trainees, postgraduates, doctoral students, faculty, and scientists with the aim of improving the quality of education and exchanging experience in organizing the educational process.

Information on all events planned by GUUAM Member States shall be provided by the Parties in advance to the GUUAM Working Group on Culture, Science and Education for further coordination between the Parties through diplomatic channels.

Article 4

The Parties, in accordance with their national legislations, shall exchange regulatory and legal documentation on educational issues to ensure uniform requirements, and shall facilitate the exchange of information on legislative and regulatory acts in the field of education, state educational standards, scientific and pedagogical research, and the development of joint research programs on educational issues.

 Article 5

 The Parties agreed to provide mutual recognition of educational documents issued in the territories of the Parties, if duration of study and the educational content in their respective fields are comparable.

The Parties consider it appropriate to sign bilateral or multilateral agreements on the recognition of academic titles and degrees.

 Article 6

 In order to explore issues of further development of cooperation, strengthening ties and exchanging work experience, the Parties will exchange delegations at the level of representatives of ministries of education, education authorities and educational institutions, and also will conduct joint theoretical, scientific and practical conferences, seminars and symposia.

Article 7

The specific activities arising from the provisions of this Agreement, as well as the terms and conditions for their implementation, shall be determined by annually updated Protocols, which shall be an integral part of this Agreement.

To ensure coordination and cooperation between the Parties in implementing this Agreement, a Permanent Commission shall be established on a parity basis. It shall be convened at the request of one of the Parties as necessary, but at least once a year.

Article 8

This Agreement shall be without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the Parties under other international agreements to which they are Parties.

Article 9

This Agreement concluded for a term of 5 (five) years and shall enter into force on the date of submission to the Depository of the second notification on completion by the Parties of all necessary domestic procedures. For Parties that submit their notifications after this date, the Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of such notification by the Depository.

The Depository of this Agreement is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

The Agreement shall be automatically extended for subsequent five-year periods, and either Party may terminate its participation in the Agreement by sending a written notice to the Depository of its desire to withdraw from the Agreement no less than 6 (six) months prior to the expiration of the relevant period.

By mutual consent of the Parties, amendments and additions to this Agreement may be made in separate Protocols, which shall constitute an integral part of this Agreement.

The Protocols shall enter into force in accordance with the first part of Article 9 of this Agreement.

Done in Yalta on July 4, 2003, in a single original copy in Russian language.