EU - Georgia Association Agreement (2014)
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Title

ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part

Preamble

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,

THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA,

THE CZECH REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,

THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,

IRELAND,

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA,

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,

HUNGARY,

THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA,

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,

ROMANIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,

Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

hereinafter referred to as ‘the Member States’,

THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Union’ or ‘the EU’ and

THE EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Euratom’

of the one part, and

GEORGIA,

of the other part,

hereafter jointly referred to as ‘the Parties’,

CONSIDERING the strong links and common values of the Parties, established in the past through the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, and being developed within the framework of the Eastern Partnership as a specific dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy and recognising the common desire of the Parties to further develop, strengthen and extend their relations in an ambitious and innovative way;

ACKNOWLEDGING the European aspirations and European choice of Georgia;

RECOGNISING that the common values on which the EU is built –democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law – lie also at the heart of political association and economic integration as envisaged in this Agreement;

RECOGNISING that Georgia, an Eastern European country, is committed to implementing and promoting these values;

RECOGNISING that Georgia shares historical links and common values with the Member States;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT that this Agreement shall not prejudice and leaves open the way for future progressive developments in EU-Georgia relations;

COMMITTED to further strengthening respect for fundamental freedoms, human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, democratic principles, the rule of law, and good governance, based on common values of the Parties;

UNDERSTANDING that internal reforms towards strengthening democracy and market economy will facilitate participation of Georgia in EU policies, programmes and agencies. This process and sustainable conflict settlement will mutually reinforce each other and will contribute to build confidence between communities divided by conflict;

WILLING to contribute to the political, socio-economic and institutional development of Georgia through wide-ranging cooperation in a broad spectrum of areas of common interest, such as the development of civil society, good governance, including in the field of taxation, trade integration and enhanced economic cooperation, institution building, public administration and civil service reform and fight against corruption, the reduction of poverty and cooperation in the field of freedom, security and justice necessary to effectively implement this Agreement and noting the EU's readiness to support relevant reforms in Georgia;

COMMITTED to all the principles and provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in particular of the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the concluding documents of the Madrid, Istanbul and Vienna Conferences of 1991 and 1992 respectively, and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe of 1990, as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950.

RECALLING their will to promote international peace and security as well as engaging in effective multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes, in particular by cooperating to that end within the framework of the United Nations (UN) and the OSCE;

COMMITTED to international obligations to fighting against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery and to cooperating on disarmament;

RECOGNISING the added value of the active participation of the Parties in various regional cooperation formats;

DESIROUS to further develop regular political dialogue on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including regional aspects, taking into account the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP);

FULLY RESPECTING the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of the internationally recognised borders under international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions;

RECOGNISING the importance of the commitment of Georgia to reconciliation and its efforts to restore its territorial integrity and full and effective control over Georgian regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhnivali region/South Ossetia in pursuit of a peaceful and lasting conflict resolution based on principles of international law, and of the EU's commitment to support a peaceful and lasting resolution of the conflict;

RECOGNISING in this context the importance of pursuing the implementation of the Six-Point Agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures, of meaningful international presence for maintaining peace and security on the ground, of pursuing mutually supportive non-recognition and engagement policies, of supporting the Geneva International Discussions and of safe and dignified return of all internally displaced persons and refugees in line with principles of international law;

COMMITTED to provide the benefits of closer political association and economic integration of Georgia with the EU to all citizens of Georgia including the communities divided by conflict;

COMMITTED to combating organised crime and illicit trafficking and to further strengthening cooperation in the fight against terrorism;

COMMITTED to deepening their dialogue and cooperation on mobility, migration, asylum and border management taking also into account the EU-Georgia Mobility Partnership, with a comprehensive approach paying attention to legal migration, including circular migration, and to cooperation aimed at tackling illegal migration, trafficking in human beings and efficient implementation of the readmission agreement;

RECOGNISING the importance of introducing a visa free travel regime for the citizens of Georgia in due course, provided that conditions for well-managed and secure mobility are in place including the effective implementation of visa facilitation and readmission agreements;

COMMITTED to the principles of free market economy and the readiness of the EU to contribute to the economic reforms in Georgia, including in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership;

COMMITTED to achieve economic integration in particular through a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), as an integral part of this Agreement including regulatory approximation and in compliance with the rights and obligations arising out of the membership of the Parties in the World Trade Organisation (WTO);

BELIEVING that this Agreement will create a new climate for economic relations between the Parties and above all for the development of trade and investment, and will stimulate competition, which are factors crucial to economic restructuring and modernisation;

COMMITTED to respecting the principles of sustainable development, to protecting the environment and mitigating climate change, to continuous improvement of environmental governance and meeting environmental needs, including crossborder cooperation and implementation of multilateral international agreements;

COMMITTED to enhancing the security of energy supply, including the development of the Southern Corridor by, inter alia, promoting the development of appropriate projects in Georgia facilitating the development of relevant infrastructure, including for transit through Georgia, increasing market integration and gradual regulatory approximation towards key elements of the EU acquis, and promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources;

ACKNOWLEDGING the need for enhanced energy cooperation, and the commitment of the Parties to implement the Energy Charter Treaty;

WILLING to improve the level of public health safety and protection of human health as an essential element for sustainable development and economic growth;

COMMITTED to enhancing people-to-people contacts, including through cooperation and exchanges in the fields of science and technology, business, youth, education and culture;

COMMITTED to promoting cross-border and inter-regional cooperation by both sides in the spirit of good neighbourly relations;

RECOGNISING the commitment of Georgia to progressively approximating its legislation in the relevant sectors with that of the EU, in accordance with this Agreement and to implementing it effectively;

RECOGNISING the commitment of Georgia to developing its administrative and institutional infrastructure to the extent necessary to enforce this Agreement;

TAKING ACCOUNT of the willingness of the EU to provide support for the implementation of reforms, and to use all available instruments of cooperation and technical, financial and economic assistance in this endeavour;

CONFIRMING that the provisions of this Agreement that fall within the scope of Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union bind the United Kingdom and Ireland as separate Contracting Parties, and not as part of the EU, unless the EU together with the United Kingdom and/or Ireland have jointly notified Georgia that the United Kingdom or Ireland is bound as part of the EU in accordance with Protocol No 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. If the United Kingdom and/or Ireland ceases to be bound as part of the EU in accordance with Article 4a of that Protocol, the EU together with the United Kingdom and/or Ireland shall immediately inform Georgia of any change in their position in which case they shall remain bound by the provisions of this Agreement in their own right. The same applies to Denmark, in accordance with the Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to those Treaties.

HAVE DECIDED TO CONCLUDE THIS AGREEMENT:

Body

Article 1. Objectives

1. An association is hereby established between the Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part.

2. The aims of this association are:

(a) to promote political association and economic integration between the Parties based on common values and close links, including by increasing Georgia's participation in EU policies, programmes and agencies;

(b) to provide a strengthened framework for enhanced political dialogue on all areas of mutual interest, allowing the development of close political relations between the Parties;

(c) to contribute to the strengthening of democracy and to political, economic and institutional stability in Georgia;

(d) to promote, preserve and strengthen peace and stability regionally and internationally, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, including through joining efforts to eliminate sources of tension, enhance border security, and to promote cross-border cooperation and good neighbourly relations;

(e) to promote cooperation aimed at peaceful conflict resolution;

(f) to enhance cooperation in the area of freedom, security and justice with the aim of reinforcing the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

(g) to support the efforts of Georgia to develop its economic potential through international cooperation, including through the approximation of its legislation to that of the EU;

(h) to achieve Georgia's gradual economic integration into the EU Internal Market, as stipulated in this Agreement, in particular through establishing a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area which will provide for far-reaching market access on the basis of sustained and comprehensive regulatory approximation in compliance with the rights and obligations arising from its WTO membership;

(i) to establish conditions for an increasingly close cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.

Title I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 2. General Principles

1. Respect for the democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, as proclaimed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and as defined in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe of 1990 shall form the basis of the domestic and external policies of the Parties and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement. Countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, related materials and their means of delivery also constitute essential elements of this Agreement.

2. The Parties reiterate their commitment to the principles of a free market economy, sustainable development and effective multilateralism.

3. The Parties reaffirm their respect for the principles of the rule of law and good governance, as well as their international obligations, in particular under the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. In particular, they agree to promoting respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and independence.

4. The Parties commit themselves to the rule of law, good governance, the fight against corruption, the fight against the various forms of transnational organised crime and terrorism, the promotion of sustainable development, effective multilateralism and the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. This commitment constitutes a key factor in the development of the relations and cooperation between the Parties and contributes to regional peace and stability.

Title II. POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND REFORM, COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

Article 3. Aims of Political Dialogue

1. Political dialogue on all areas of mutual interest, including foreign and security matters as well as domestic reform, shall be further developed and strengthened between the Parties. This will increase the effectiveness of political cooperation and promote convergence on foreign and security matters, strengthening relations in an ambitious and innovative way.

2. The aims of political dialogue shall be:

(a) to deepen political association and increase political and security policy convergence and effectiveness;

(b) to promote the principles of territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognised borders, sovereignty and independence, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe;

(c) to promote peaceful conflict resolution;

(d) to promote international stability and security based on effective multilateralism;

(e) to strengthen cooperation and dialogue between the Parties on international security and crisis management, in particular in order to address global and regional challenges and key threats;

(f) to strengthen the cooperation in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems including the conversion to alternative employment of scientists formerly employed in WMD programmes;

(g) to foster result-oriented and practical cooperation between the Parties for achieving peace, security and stability on the European continent;

(h) to strengthen respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including media freedom and the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and to contribute to consolidating domestic political reforms;

(i) to develop dialogue and to deepen the cooperation of the Parties in the field of security and defence;

(j) to work to further promote regional cooperation in various formats;

(k) to provide all benefits of closer political association between the EU and Georgia, including increased security policy convergence to all citizens of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

Article 4. Domestic Reform

The Parties shall cooperate on developing, consolidating and increasing the stability and effectiveness of democratic institutions and the rule of law; on ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; on making further progress on judicial and legal reform, so that the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed, strengthening its administrative capacity and guaranteeing impartiality and effectiveness of law enforcement bodies; on further pursuing the public administration reform and on building an accountable, efficient, effective, transparent and professional civil service; and on continuing effective fight against corruption, particularly in view of enhancing international cooperation on combating corruption, and ensuring effective implementation of relevant international legal instruments, such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption of 2003.

Article 5. Foreign and Security Policy

1. The Parties shall intensify their dialogue and cooperation and promote gradual convergence in the area of foreign and security policy, including the common security and defence policy, and shall address in particular issues of conflict prevention, peaceful conflict resolution and crisis management, regional stability, disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control and export control. Cooperation shall be based on common values and mutual interests, and shall aim at increasing policy convergence and effectiveness, making use of bilateral, international and regional fora.

2. The Parties reaffirm their commitment to the principles of territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognised borders, sovereignty and independence, as established in the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and their commitment to promote these principles in their bilateral and multilateral relations. The Parties also underline their full support for the principle of host nation consent on stationing foreign armed forces on their territories. They agree that the stationing of foreign armed forces on their territory should take place with the explicit consent of the host state, in accordance with international law.

Article 6. Serious Crimes of International Concern

1. The Parties reaffirm that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished and that impunity for such crimes must be avoided by taking measures at national and international level including the International Criminal Court.

2. The Parties consider that the establishment and effective functioning of the International Criminal Court constitutes an important development for international peace and justice. The Parties reaffirm their commitment to continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Court by implementing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and its related instruments, giving due regard to preserving its integrity.

Article 7. Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management

The Parties shall enhance practical cooperation in conflict prevention and crisis management, in particular with a view to possible participation of Georgia in EU-led civilian and military crisis management operations as well as relevant exercises and training, on a case-by-case basis and following possible invitation by the EU.

Article 8. Regional Stability

1. The Parties shall intensify their joint efforts to promote stability, security and democratic development in the region, as well as to work to further promote regional cooperation in various formats and, in particular, shall work towards peaceful settlement of the unresolved conflicts in the region.

2. These efforts shall follow commonly shared principles of maintaining international peace and security as established by the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and other relevant multilateral documents. The Parties shall also make full use of the multilateral framework of the Eastern Partnership that provides for cooperation activities and open and free dialogue, fostering links among partners countries themselves.

Article 9. Peaceful Conflict Resolution

1. The Parties reiterate their commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders as well as to facilitating jointly post-conflict rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts. Pending sustainable solution to conflict and without prejudice to the existing formats for addressing conflict-related issues, peaceful conflict resolution will constitute one of the central subjects on the agenda of political dialogue between the Parties, as well as in the dialogue with other relevant international actors.

2. The Parties recognise the importance of the commitment of Georgia to reconciliation and its efforts to restore its territorial integrity in pursuit of a peaceful and lasting conflict resolution, of pursuing the full implementation of the SixPoint Agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures, of pursuing mutually supportive nonrecognition and engagement policies, of supporting the Geneva International Discussions and of safe and dignified return of all internally displaced persons and refugees to their habitual places of residence in line with principles of international law; and of a meaningful international field involvement, including, as appropriate, that of the EU.

3. The Parties shall coordinate, also with other relevant international organisations, their efforts to contribute to peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia, including in relation to humanitarian issues.

4. All these efforts shall follow commonly shared principles of maintaining international peace and security as established by the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and other relevant multilateral documents.

Article 10. Weapons of Mass Destruction

1. The Parties consider that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery, both to state and non-state actors, represents one of the most serious threats to international peace and stability. The Parties therefore agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery through full compliance with, and national implementation of, their existing obligations under international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, and other relevant international obligations. The Parties agree that this provision constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.

2. The Parties furthermore agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery by:

(a) taking steps to sign, ratify, or accede to, as appropriate, and fully implement, all other relevant international instruments; and

(b) establishing an effective system of national export controls, controlling the export as well as transit of WMD-related goods, including a WMD end-use control on dual-use technologies, and containing effective sanctions for breaches of export controls.

3. The Parties agree to address these issues in their political dialogue.

Article 11. Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Arms Exports Control

1. The Parties recognise that the illicit manufacture, transfer and circulation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), including their ammunition, and their excessive accumulation, poor management, inadequately secured stockpiles and uncontrolled spread continue to pose a serious threat to peace and international security.

2. The Parties agree to observe and fully implement their respective obligations to deal with the illicit trade in SALW, including their ammunition, under existing international agreements and UN Security Council resolutions, as well as their commitments within the framework of other international instruments applicable in this area, such as the United Nations Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects.

3. The Parties shall undertake to cooperate and to ensure coordination, complementarity and synergy in their efforts to deal with the illicit trade in SALW, including their ammunition, and the destruction of excessive stockpiles, at global, regional, sub-regional and national levels.

4. Furthermore, the Parties agree to continue to cooperate in the area of conventional arms export control, in the light of the Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment.

5. The Parties agree to address these issues in their political dialogue.

Article 12. Fight Against Terrorism

1. The Parties reaffirm the importance of the fight against and the prevention of terrorism and agree to work together at bilateral, regional and international level to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

2. The Parties agree that the fight against terrorism must be conducted with full respect for the rule of law and in full conformity with international law including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and all relevant international counter-terrorism related instruments.

3. The Parties stress the importance of the universal ratification and full implementation of all UN counter-terrorism related conventions and protocols. The Parties agree to continue to promote dialogue on the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and to cooperate in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, as well as all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and Council of Europe conventions.

The Parties also agree to cooperate to promote international consensus on the prevention of and fight against terrorism.

Title III. FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

Article 13. Rule of Law and Respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

1. In their cooperation in the area of freedom, security and justice the Parties shall attach particular importance to further promoting the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary, access to justice, and the right to a fair trial.

2. The Parties will cooperate fully on the effective functioning of institutions in the areas of law enforcement and the administration of justice.

3. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms will guide all cooperation on freedom, security and justice.

Article 14. Protection of Personal Data

Page 1 Next page
  • Article   1 Objectives 1
  • Title   I GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1
  • Article   2 General Principles 1
  • Title   II POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND REFORM, COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY 1
  • Article   3 Aims of Political Dialogue 1
  • Article   4 Domestic Reform 1
  • Article   5 Foreign and Security Policy 1
  • Article   6 Serious Crimes of International Concern 1
  • Article   7 Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management 1
  • Article   8 Regional Stability 1
  • Article   9 Peaceful Conflict Resolution 1
  • Article   10 Weapons of Mass Destruction 1
  • Article   11 Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Arms Exports Control 1
  • Article   12 Fight Against Terrorism 1
  • Title   III FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE 1
  • Article   13 Rule of Law and Respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1
  • Article   14 Protection of Personal Data 2
  • Article   15 Cooperation on Migration, Asylum and Border Management 2
  • Article   16 Movement of Persons and Readmission 2
  • Article   17 The Fight Against Organised Crime and Corruption 2
  • Article   18 Illicit Drugs 2
  • Article   19 Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing 2
  • Article   20 Cooperation In the Fight Against Terrorism 2
  • Article   21 Legal Cooperation 2
  • Title   IV TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED MATTERS 2
  • Chapter   1 National Treatment and Market Access for Goods 2
  • Section   1 Common Provisions 2
  • Article   22 Objective 2
  • Article   23 Scope and Coverage 2
  • Section   2 Elimination of Customs Duties, Fees and other Charges 2
  • Article   24 Definition of Customs Duties 2
  • Article   25 Classification of Goods 2
  • Article   26 Elimination of Customs Duties on Imports 2
  • Article   27 Anti-circumvention Mechanism for Agricultural Products and Processed Agricultural Products 2
  • Article   28 Standstill 2
  • Article   29 Customs Duties on Exports 2
  • Article   30 Fees and other Charges 2
  • Section   3 Non-tariff Measures 2
  • Article   31 National Treatment 2
  • Article   32 Import and Export Restrictions 2
  • Section   4 Specific Provisions Related to Goods 2
  • Article   33 General Exceptions 2
  • Section   5 Administrative Cooperation and Coordination with other Countries 2
  • Article   34 Temporary Withdrawal of Preferences 2
  • Article   35 Management of Administrative Errors 2
  • Article   36 Agreements with other Countries 2
  • Chapter   2 Trade Remedies 2
  • Section   1 Global Safeguard Measures 2
  • Article   37 General Provisions 2
  • Article   38 Transparency 2
  • Article   39 Application of Measures 2
  • Section   2 Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measures 2
  • Article   40 General Provisions 2
  • Article   41 Transparency 2
  • Article   42 Consideration of Public Interest 2
  • Article   43 Lesser Duty Rule 2
  • Chapter   3 Technical Barriers to Trade, Standardisation, Metrology, Accreditation and Conformity Assessment 2
  • Article   44 Scope and Definitions 2
  • Article   45 Affirmation of the TBT Agreement 2
  • Article   46 Technical Cooperation 2
  • Article   47 Approximation of Technical Regulations, Standards, and Conformity Assessment 3
  • Article   48 Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) 3
  • Article   49 Marking and Labelling 3
  • Chapter   4 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 3
  • Article   50 Objective 3
  • Article   51 Multilateral Obligations 3
  • Article   52 Scope 3
  • Article   53 Definitions 3
  • Article   54 Competent Authorities 3
  • Article   55 Gradual Approximation 3
  • Article   56 Recognition for Trade Purposes of Animal Health and Pest Status and Regional Conditions 3
  • Article   57 Recognition of Equivalence 3
  • Article   58 Transparency and Exchange of Information 3
  • Article   59 Notification, Consultation and Facilitation of Communication 3
  • Article   60 Trade Conditions 3
  • Article   61 Certification Procedure 4
  • Article   62 Verification 4
  • Article   63 Import Checks and Inspection Fees 4
  • Article   64 Safeguard Measures 4
  • Article   65 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Sub-Committee 4
  • Chapter   5 Customs and Trade Facilitation 4
  • Article   66 Objectives 4
  • Article   67 Legislation and Procedures 4
  • Article   68 Relations with the Business Community 4
  • Article   69 Fees and Charges 4
  • Article   70 Customs Valuation 4
  • Article   71 Customs Cooperation 4
  • Article   72 Mutual Administrative Assistance In Customs Matters 4
  • Article   73 Technical Assistance and Capacity Building 4
  • Article   74 Customs Sub-committee 4
  • Article   75 Approximation of Customs Legislation 4
  • Chapter   6 Establishment, Trade In Services and Electronic Commerce 4
  • Section   1 General Provisions 4
  • Article   76 Objective, Scope and Coverage 4
  • Article   77 Definitions 4
  • Section   2 Establishment 5
  • Article   78 Scope 5
  • Article   79 National Treatment and Most Favoured Nation Treatment 5
  • Article   80 Review 5
  • Article   81 Other Agreements 5
  • Article   82 Standard of Treatment for Branches and Representative Offices 5
  • Section   3 Cross-border Supply of Services 5
  • Article   83 Scope 5
  • Article   84 Market Access 5
  • Article   85 National Treatment 5
  • Article   86 Lists of Commitments 5
  • Article   87 Review 5
  • Section   4 Temporary Presence of Natural Persons or Business Persons 5
  • Article   88 Scope and Definitions 5
  • Article   89 Key Personnel and Graduate Trainees 5
  • Article   90 Business Sellers 5
  • Article   91 Contractual Service Suppliers 5
  • Article   92 Independent Professionals 5
  • Section   5 Regulatory Framework 5
  • Subsection   1 Domestic Regulation 5
  • Article   93 Scope and Definitions 5
  • Article   94 Conditions for Licencing and Qualification 5
  • Article   95 Licencing and Qualification Procedures 5
  • Subsection   2 Provisions of General Application 6
  • Article   96 Mutual Recognition 6
  • Article   97 Transparency and Disclosure of Confidential Information 6
  • Subsection   3 Computer Services 6
  • Article   98 Understanding on Computer Services 6
  • Subsection   4 Postal and Courier Services 6
  • Article   99 Scope and Definitions 6
  • Article   100 Universal Service 6
  • Article   101 Licences 6
  • Article   102 Independence of the Regulatory Body 6
  • Article   103 Gradual Approximation 6
  • Subsection   5 Electronic Communication Networks and Services 6
  • Article   104 Scope and Definitions 6
  • Article   105 Regulatory Authority 6
  • Article   106 Authorisation to Provide Electronic Communication Services 6
  • Article   107 Access and Interconnection 6
  • Article   108 Scarce Resources 6
  • Article   109 Universal Service 6
  • Article   110 Cross-border Provision of Electronic Communication Services 6
  • Article   111 Confidentiality of Information 6
  • Article   112 Disputes between Services Suppliers 6
  • Article   113 Gradual Approximation 6
  • Subsection   6 Financial Services 6
  • Article   114 Scope and Definitions 6
  • Article   115 Prudential Carve-out 7
  • Article   116 Effective and Transparent Regulation 7
  • Article   117 New Financial Services 7
  • Article   118 Data Processing 7
  • Article   119 Specific Exceptions 7
  • Article   120 Self-regulatory Organisations 7
  • Article   121 Clearing and Payment Systems 7
  • Article   122 Gradual Approximation 7
  • Subsection   7 Transport Services 7
  • Article   123 Scope 7
  • Article   124 International Maritime Transport 7
  • Article   125 Air Transport 7
  • Article   126 Gradual Approximation 7
  • Section   6 Electronic Commerce 7
  • Subsection   1 General Provisions 7
  • Article   127 Objective and Principles 7
  • Article   128 Cooperation In Electronic Commerce 7
  • Article   129 Use of Intermediaries' Services 7
  • Article   130 Liability of Intermediary Service Providers: ‘mere Conduit' 7
  • Article   131 Liability of Intermediary Service Providers: ‘caching' 7
  • Article   132 Liability of Intermediary Service Providers: ‘hosting' 7
  • Article   133 No General Obligation to Monitor 7
  • Section   7 Exceptions 7
  • Article   134 General Exceptions 7
  • Article   135 Taxation Measures 7
  • Article   136 Security Exceptions 7
  • Chapter   7 Current Payments and Movement of Capital 7
  • Article   137 Current Payments 7
  • Article   138 Capital Movements 7
  • Article   139 Safeguard Measures 7
  • Article   140 Facilitation and Evolution Provisions 7
  • Chapter   8 Public Procurement 7
  • Article   141 Objectives 7
  • Article   142 Scope 7
  • Article   143 Institutional Background 7
  • Article   144 Basic Standards Regulating the Award of Contracts 8
  • Article   145 Planning of Gradual Approximation 8
  • Article   146 Gradual Approximation 8
  • Article   147 Market Access 8
  • Article   148 Information 8
  • Article   149 Cooperation 8
  • Chapter   9 Intellectual Property Rights 8
  • Section   1 General Provisions 8
  • Article   150 Objectives 8
  • Article   151 Nature and Scope of Obligations 8
  • Article   152 Exhaustion 8
  • Section   2 Standards Concerning Intellectual Property Rights 8
  • Subsection   1 Copyright and Related Rights 8
  • Article   153 Protection Granted 8
  • Article   154 Authors 8
  • Article   155 Performers 8
  • Article   156 Producers of Phonograms 8
  • Article   157 Broadcasting Organisations 8
  • Article   158 Broadcasting and Communication to the Public 8
  • Article   159 Term of Protection 8
  • Article   160 Protection of Technological Measures 8
  • Article   161 Protection of Rights Management Information 8
  • Article   162 Exceptions and Limitations 8
  • Article   163 Artists' Resale Right In Works of Art 8
  • Article   164 Cooperation on Collective Management of Rights 8
  • Subsection   2 Trademarks 8
  • Article   165 International Agreements 8
  • Article   166 Registration Procedure 8
  • Article   167 Well-known Trademarks 8
  • Article   168 Exceptions to the Rights Conferred by a Trademark 8
  • Subsection   3 Geographical Indications 8
  • Article   169 Scope 8
  • Article   170 Established Geographical Indications 9
  • Article   171 Addition of New Geographical Indications 9
  • Article   172 Scope of Protection of Geographical Indications 9
  • Article   173 Protection of Transcription of Geographical Indications 9
  • Article   174 Right of Use of Geographical Indications 9
  • Article   175 Enforcement of Protection 9
  • Article   176 Relationship with Trademarks 9
  • Article   177 General Rules 9
  • Article   178 Cooperation and Transparency 9
  • Article   179 Geographical Indications Sub-committee 9
  • Subsection   4 Designs 9
  • Article   180 International Agreements 9
  • Article   181 Protection of Registered Designs 9
  • Article   182 Exceptions and Exclusions 9
  • Article   183 Relationship to Copyright 9
  • Subsection   5 Patents 9
  • Article   184 International Agreements 9
  • Article   185 Patents and Public Health 9
  • Article   186 Supplementary Protection Certificate 9
  • Article   187 Protection of Data Submitted to Obtain a Marketing Authorisation for Medicinal Products  (1) 9
  • Article   188 Protection of Data to Obtain a Marketing Authorisation for Plant Protection Products 9
  • Article   189 Plant Varieties 9
  • Article   190 General Obligations 9
  • Article   191 Entitled Applicants 9
  • Subsection   1 Civil Enforcement 9
  • Article   192 Measures for Preserving Evidence 9
  • Article   193 Right of Information 9
  • Article   194 Provisional Measures 9
  • Article   195 Measures Resulting from a Decision on the Merits of the Case 9
  • Article   196 Damages 9
  • Article   197 Legal Costs 9
  • Article   198 Publication of Judicial Decisions 9
  • Article   199 Presumption of Authorship or Ownership 9
  • Subsection   2 Other Provisions 9
  • Article   200 Border Measures 9
  • Article   201 Codes of Conduct 10
  • Article   202 Cooperation 10
  • Chapter   10 Competition 10
  • Article   203 Principles 10
  • Article   204 Antitrust and Mergers Legislation and Its Implementation 10
  • Article   205 State Monopolies, State Enterprises and Enterprises Entrusted with Special or Exclusive Rights 10
  • Article   206 Subsidies 10
  • Article   207 Dispute Settlement 10
  • Article   208 Relationship with the WTO 10
  • Article   209 Confidentiality 10
  • Chapter   11 Trade-related Energy Provisions 10
  • Article   210 Definitions 10
  • Article   211 Transit 10
  • Article   212 Unauthorised Taking of Goods In Transit 10
  • Article   213 Uninterrupted Transit 10
  • Article   214 Transit Obligation for Operators 10
  • Article   215 Regulatory Authorities 10
  • Article   216 Organisation of Markets 10
  • Article   217 Access to Energy Transport Facilities 10
  • Article   218 Relationship with the Energy Community Treaty  (1) 10
  • Chapter   12 Transparency 10
  • Article   219 Definitions 10
  • Article   220 Objective 10
  • Article   221 Publication 10
  • Article   222 Enquiries and Contact Points 10
  • Article   223 Administration of Measures of General Application 10
  • Article   224 Review and Appeal 10
  • Article   225 Regulatory Quality and Performance and Good Administrative Behaviour 10
  • Article   226 Specific Rules 10
  • Chapter   13 Trade and Sustainable Development 10
  • Article   227 Context and Objectives 10
  • Article   228 Right to Regulate and Levels of Protection 10
  • Article   229 Multilateral Labour Standards and Agreements 10
  • Article   230 Multilateral Environmental Governance and Agreements 10
  • Article   231 Trade and Investment Promoting Sustainable Development 10
  • Article   232 Biological Diversity 10
  • Article   233 Sustainable Management of Forests and Trade In Forest Products 11
  • Article   234 Trade In Fish Products 11
  • Article   235 Upholding Levels of Protection 11
  • Article   236 Scientific Information 11
  • Article   237 Transparency 11
  • Article   238 Review of Sustainability Impacts 11
  • Article   239 Working Together on Trade and Sustainable Development 11
  • Article   240 Institutional Set-up and Overseeing Mechanisms 11
  • Article   241 Joint Civil Society Dialogue Forum 11
  • Article   242 Government Consultations 11
  • Article   243 Panel of Experts 11
  • Chapter   14 Dispute Settlement 11
  • Section   1 Objective and Scope 11
  • Article   244 Objective 11
  • Article   245 Scope of Application 11
  • Section   2 Consultations and Mediation 11
  • Article   246 Consultations 11
  • Article   247 Mediation 11
  • Section   3 Dispute Settlement Procedures 11
  • Subsection   1 Arbitration Procedure 11
  • Article   248 Initiation of the Arbitration Procedure 11
  • Article   249 Establishment of the Arbitration Panel 11
  • Article   250 Preliminary Ruling on Urgency 11
  • Article   251 Arbitration Panel Report 11
  • Article   252 Conciliation for Urgent Energy Disputes 11
  • Article   253 Notification of the Ruling of the Arbitration Panel 11
  • Subsection   2 Compliance 11
  • Article   254 Compliance with the Arbitration Panel Ruling 11
  • Article   255 Reasonable Period of Time for Compliance 11
  • Article   256 Review of Any Measure Taken to Comply with the Arbitration Panel Ruling 11
  • Article   257 Temporary Remedies In Case of Non-compliance 11
  • Article   258 Remedies for Urgent Energy Disputes 11
  • Article   259 Review of Any Measure Taken to Comply after the Adoption of Temporary Remedies for Non-compliance 11
  • Article   260 Replacement of Arbitrators 11
  • Article   261 Suspension and Termination of Arbitration and Compliance Procedures 11
  • Article   262 Mutually Agreed Solution 11
  • Article   263 Rules of Procedure 12
  • Article   264 Information and Technical Advice 12
  • Article   265 Rules of Interpretation 12
  • Article   266 Decisions and Rulings of the Arbitration Panel 12
  • Article   267 Referrals to the Court of Justice of the European Union 12
  • Section   4 General Provisions 12
  • Article   268 Lists of Arbitrators 12
  • Article   269 Relation with Wto Obligations 12
  • Article   270 Time-limits 12
  • Chapter   15 General Provisions on Approximation Under Title IV 12
  • Article   271 Progress In Approximation In Trade-related Areas 12
  • Article   272 Repeal of Inconsistent Domestic Law 12
  • Article   273 Assessment of Approximation In Trade-related Areas 12
  • Article   274 Developments Relevant to Approximation 12
  • Article   275 Exchange of Information 12
  • Article   276 General Provision 12
  • Title   V ECONOMIC COOPERATION 12
  • Chapter   1 Economic Dialogue 12
  • Article   277 12
  • Article   278 12
  • Chapter   2 Management of Public Finances and Financial Control 12
  • Article   279 12
  • Chapter   3 Taxation 12
  • Article   280 12
  • Article   281 12
  • Article   282 12
  • Article   283 12
  • Article   284 12
  • Article   285 12
  • Chapter   4 Statistics 12
  • Article   286 12
  • Article   287 12
  • Article   288 12
  • Article   289 12
  • Article   290 12
  • Article   291 12
  • Title   VI OTHER COOPERATION POLICIES 12
  • Chapter   1 Transport 12
  • Article   292 12
  • Article   293 12
  • Article   294 12
  • Article   295 12
  • Article   296 12
  • Chapter   2 Energy Cooperation 12
  • Article   297 12
  • Article   298 12
  • Article   299 13
  • Article   300 13
  • Chapter   3 Environment 13
  • Article   301 13
  • Article   302 13
  • Article   303 13
  • Article   304 13
  • Article   305 13
  • Article   306 13
  • Chapter   4 Climate Action 13
  • Article   307 13
  • Article   308 13
  • Article   309 13
  • Article   310 13
  • Article   311 13
  • Article   312 13
  • Chapter   5 Industrial and Enterprise Policy and Mining 13
  • Article   313 13
  • Article   314 13
  • Article   315 13
  • Chapter   6 Company Law, Accounting and Auditing and Corporate Governance 13
  • Article   316 13
  • Article   317 13
  • Article   318 13
  • Article   319 13
  • Chapter   7 Financial Services 13
  • Article   320 13
  • Article   321 13
  • Article   322 13
  • Article   323 13
  • Chapter   8 Cooperation In the Field of Information Society 13
  • Article   324 13
  • Article   325 13
  • Article   326 13
  • Article   327 13
  • Chapter   9 Tourism 13
  • Article   328 13
  • Article   329 13
  • Article   330 13
  • Article   331 13
  • Chapter   10 Agriculture and Rural Development 13
  • Article   332 13
  • Article   333 13
  • Article   334 13
  • Chapter   11 Fisheries and Maritime Governance 13
  • Article   335 13
  • Article   336 13
  • Article   337 14
  • Article   338 14
  • Article   339 14
  • Article   340 14
  • Article   341 14
  • Chapter   12 Cooperation In Research, Technological Development and Demonstration 14
  • Article   342 14
  • Article   343 14
  • Article   344 14
  • Chapter   13 Consumer Policy 14
  • Article   345 14
  • Article   346 14
  • Article   347 14
  • Chapter   14 Employment, Social Policy and Equal Opportunities 14
  • Article   348 14
  • Article   349 14
  • Article   350 14
  • Article   351 14
  • Article   352 14
  • Article   353 14
  • Article   354 14
  • Chapter   15 Public Health 14
  • Article   355 14
  • Article   356 14
  • Article   357 14
  • Chapter   16 Education, Training and Youth 14
  • Article   358 14
  • Article   359 14
  • Article   360 14
  • Article   361 14
  • Chapter   17 Cooperation In the Cultural Field 14
  • Article   362 14
  • Article   363 14
  • Chapter   18 Cooperation In the Audiovisual and Media Fields 14
  • Article   364 14
  • Article   365 14
  • Article   366 14
  • Article   367 14
  • Chapter   19 Cooperation In the Field of Sport and Physical Activity 14
  • Article   368 14
  • Chapter   20 Civil Society Cooperation 14
  • Article   369 14
  • Article   370 14
  • Article   371 14
  • Chapter   21 Regional Development, Cross-border and Regional Level Cooperation 14
  • Article   372 14
  • Article   373 15
  • Article   374 15
  • Article   375 15
  • Chapter   22 Civil Protection 15
  • Article   376 15
  • Article   377 15
  • Article   378 15
  • Article   379 15
  • Chapter   23 Participation In European Union Agencies and Programmes 15
  • Article   380 15
  • Article   381 15
  • Article   382 15
  • Title   VII FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND ANTI-FRAUD AND CONTROL PROVISIONS 15
  • Chapter   1 Financial Assistance 15
  • Article   383 15
  • Article   384 15
  • Article   385 15
  • Article   386 15
  • Article   387 15
  • Article   388 15
  • Article   389 15
  • Chapter   2 Anti-fraud and Control Provisions 15
  • Article   390 Definitions 15
  • Article   391 Scope 15
  • Article   392 Measures to Prevent and Fight Fraud, Corruption and Any other Illegal Activities 15
  • Article   393 Exchange of Information and Further Cooperation at Operational Level 15
  • Article   394 Prevention of Fraud, Corruption and Irregularities 15
  • Article   395 Legal Proceedings, Investigation and Prosecution 15
  • Article   396 Communication of Fraud, Corruption and Irregularities 15
  • Article   397 Audits 15
  • Article   398 On-the-spot Checks 15
  • Article   399 Administrative Measures and Penalties 15
  • Article   400 Recovery 15
  • Article   401 Confidentiality 15
  • Article   402 Approximation of Legislation 15
  • Title   VIII INSTITUTIONAL, GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS 15
  • Chapter   1 Institutional Framework 15
  • Article   403 15
  • Article   404 15
  • Article   405 15
  • Article   406 15
  • Article   407 Association Committee 15
  • Article   408 15
  • Article   409 Special Committees, Sub-committees and Bodies 15
  • Article   410 Parliamentary Association Committee 15
  • Article   411 16
  • Article   412 Civil Society Platform 16
  • Article   413 16
  • Chapter   2 General and Final Provisions 16
  • Article   414 Access to Courts and Administrative Organs 16
  • Article   415 Security Exceptions 16
  • Article   416 Non-discrimination 16
  • Article   417 Gradual Approximation 16
  • Article   418 Dynamic Approximation 16
  • Article   419 Monitoring of Approximation 16
  • Article   420 Fulfilment of Obligations 16
  • Article   421 Dispute Settlement 16
  • Article   422 Appropriate Measures In Case of Non-fulfilment of Obligations 16
  • Article   423 Relation to other Agreements 16
  • Article   424 16
  • Article   425 16
  • Article   426 Annexes and Protocols 16
  • Article   427 Duration 16
  • Article   428 Definition of the Parties 16
  • Article   429 Territorial Application 16
  • Article   430 Depositary of this Agreement 16
  • Article   431 Entry Into Force and Provisional Application 16
  • Article   432 Authentic Texts 16
  • ANNEX XIV  LIST OF RESERVATIONS ON ESTABLISHMENT; LIST OF COMMITMENTS ON CROSS-BORDER SUPPLY OF SERVICES; LIST OF RESERVATIONS ON KEY PERSONNEL, GRADUATE TRAINEES AND BUSINESS SELLERS; LIST OF RESERVATIONS ON CONTRACTUAL SERVICES SUPPLIERS AND INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONALS 16
  • ANNEX XIV-A  LIST OF RESERVATIONS ON ESTABLISHMENT (UNION) 17
  • ANNEX XIV-E  LIST OF RESERVATIONS ON ESTABLISHMENT (GEORGIA)  (1) 18
  • ANNEX XIX  MEDIATION MECHANISM 19
  • 1 Objective 19
  • Section   1 PROCEDURE UNDER THE MEDIATION MECHANISM 19
  • 2 Request for Information 19
  • 3 Initiation of the Procedure 19
  • 4 Selection of the Mediator 19
  • 5 Rules of the Mediation Procedure 19
  • Section   2 IMPLEMENTATION 19
  • 6 Implementation of a Mutually Agreed Solution 19
  • Section   3 GENERAL PROVISIONS 19
  • 7 Confidentiality and Relationship to Dispute Settlement 19
  • 8 Time-limits 19
  • 9 Costs 19
  • ANNEX XX  RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 19
  • ANNEX XXI  CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ARBITRATORS AND MEDIATORS 20