WORLD TRADE WT/REG48/1
18December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5553)
Original: English Committee onRegional Trade Agreements
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
AND THE REPUBLIC OFLITHUANIA
Thefollowing textreproduces theFreeTrade Agreement1
_______________
TheSlovak Republic andtheRepublic ofLithuania ,hereinafter called theParties,
Having regard totheDeclaration ofPrime Ministers oftheCentral European FreeTrade
Agreement countries, doneon11September 1995 inBrno,
Recalling theirintention toparticipate actively intheprocess ofeconomic integration asan
important dimension ofthestability ontheEuropean continent andexpressing theirpreparedness to
co-operate inseeking ways andmeans tostrengthen thisprocess,
Reaffirming theirfirmcommitment totheprinciples ofamarket economy, which constitutes
thebasis fortheirrelations,
RecallingtheirfirmcommitmenttotheFinalActoftheConferenceonSecurityandCo-operation
inEurope, theParis Charter, and,inparticular, theprinciples contained inthefinaldocument ofthe
Bonn Conference onEconomic Co-operation inEurope,
Resolved tothisendtoeliminate progressively theobstacles tosubstantially alltheirmutual
trade, inaccordance withtheprovisions oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994,
Firmly convinced thatthisAgreement willfoster theintensification ofmutually beneficial trade
relations between them andcontribute totheprocess ofintegration inEurope,
Considering thatnoprovision ofthisAgreement maybeinterpreted asexempting theParties
fromtheirobligations under otherinternational agreements andininternational organizations, especially
theWorld Trade Organization,
Hereby agreed asfollows:
1TheAnnexes andProtocols thereto have been submitted totheSecretariat forconsultation byinterested
Members (Office 3006).WT/REG48/1
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Article 1
Objectives
1. TheParties shall gradually establish afree-trade areainatransitional period ending on
1January 1998 atthelatest inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisAgreement andinconformity
withArticle XXIV oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994 andwiththeUnderstanding
ontheInterpretation ofArticle XXIV oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994.
2. Theobjectives ofthisAgreement are:
(a) topromote through theexpansion ofmutual trade theharmonious development ofthe
economic relations between theParties andthustofoster theadvance ofeconomic
activity intheParties, theimprovement ofliving andemployment conditions, and
increased productivity andfinancial stability,
(b) toprovide fairconditions ofcompetition fortrade between theParties,
(c) tocontribute inthisway, bytheremoval ofbarriers totrade, totheharmonious
development andexpansion ofworld trade.
CHAPTER I
Industrial Products
Article 2
Scope
Theprovisions ofthisChapter shallapply toindustrial products originating intheParties.
Theterm"industrial products" means forthepurpose ofthisAgreement theproducts falling within
Chapters 25to97oftheHarmonised Commodity Description andCoding System.
Article 3
Customs duties onimports andcharges having equivalent effect
1. Nonewcustoms dutyonimports orcharge having equivalent effect shallbeintroduced intrade
between theParties.
2. Customs duties onimports shallbeabolished inaccordance withtheprovisions ofProtocol 1
tothisAgreement.
3. TheParties shallabolish between them onthedateofentry intoforce ofthisAgreement all
customs duties onimports andallcharges having equivalent effect tocustoms duties onimports.WT/REG48/1
Page3
Article 4
Basic duties
1. Foreachproduct thebasic dutytowhich thesuccessive reductions setoutinthisAgreement
aretobeapplied shallbetheMost Favoured Nation rateofdutyinforce on1July1996.
2. If,afterentry intoforce ofthisAgreement, anytariff reduction isapplied onanergaomnes
basis, suchreduced duties shallreplace thebasic duties referred toinparagraph 1asfrom thatdate
when suchreductions areapplied.
3. Thereduced duties calculated inaccordance withparagraph 2shallbeapplied rounded tothe
firstdecimal place.
4. TheParties shallcommunicate toeachother theirrespective national basic ratesofduties in
accordance withtheprovisions ofparagraph 2.
Article 5
Fiscal duties
Theprovisions ofArticle 3shallalsoapply tocustoms duties ofafiscal nature.
Article 6
Customs duties onexports andcharges having equivalent effect
1. Nonewcustoms dutyonexports orcharge having equivalent effect shallbeintroduced intrade
between theParties.
2. Customs duties onexports shallbeabolished inaccordance withtheprovisions ofProtocol 2
tothisAgreement.
3. TheParties shallabolish between them onthedateofentry intoforce ofthisAgreement all
charges having equivalent effect tocustoms duties onexports.
Article 7
Quantitative restrictions onimports andmeasures having equivalent effect
1. Nonewquantitativerestrictiononimportsormeasurehavingequivalenteffectshallbeintroduced
intrade between theParties.
2. Allquantitative restrictions andmeasures having equivalent effect onimports ofproducts
originating intheParties shallbeabolished onthedateofentry intoforce ofthisAgreement, except
asprovided forinAnnex ItothisAgreement.WT/REG48/1
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Article 8
Quantitative restrictions onexports andmeasures having equivalent effect
1. Nonewquantitativerestrictiononexportsormeasurehavingequivalenteffectshallbeintroduced
intrade between theParties.
2. Allquantitative restrictions andmeasures having equivalent effect onexports ofproducts
originating intheParties shallbeabolished onthedateofentry intoforce ofthisAgreement.
Article 9
Information procedure ondrafttechnical regulations
1. TheParties shallnotify toeachother attheearliest practicable stage andinaccordance with
theprovisions assetoutinAnnex IItothisAgreement onthedrafttechnical regulations anddraft
amendments thereto, which theyintend toissue.
2. TheJointCommittee shalldecide onthedateforimplementing theprovisions inparagraph 1.
CHAPTER II
Agricultural products
Article 10
Scope
Theprovisions ofthisChapter shallapply toagricultural products originating intheParties.
Theterm"agricultural products" means forthepurpose ofthisAgreement theproducts falling within
Chapters 1to24oftheHarmonized Commodity Description andCoding System.
Article 11
Customs duties onimports andcharges having equivalent effect
1. Nonewcustoms dutyonimports orcharge having equivalent effect shallbeintroduced intrade
between theParties.
2. Customs duties onimports shallbeapplied inaccordance withtheprovisions ofProtocol 3
tothisAgreement.
3. TheParties shallabolish between them onthedateofentry intoforce ofthisAgreement all
charges having equivalent effect tocustoms duties onimports.WT/REG48/1
Page5
Article 12
Basic duties
1. Foreachproduct thebasic dutyshallbetheMost Favoured Nation rateofdutyinforce on
1July1996.
2. If,afterentry intoforce ofthisAgreement, anytariff reduction isapplied onanergaomnes
basis, suchreduced duties shallreplace thebasic duties referred toinparagraph 1asfrom thatdate
when suchreductions areapplied.
3. Thereduced duties calculated inaccordance withparagraph 2shallbeapplied rounded tothe
firstdecimal place.
4. TheParties shallcommunicate toeachother theirrespective national basic ratesofduties in
accordance withtheprovisions ofparagraph 2.
Article 13
Concessions andagricultural policies
1. Without prejudice totheconcessions granted under Protocol 3tothisAgreement, theprovisions
ofthisChapter shallnotrestrict inanywaythepursuance oftherespective agricultural policies of
theParties orthetaking ofanymeasures under suchpolicies, including theimplementation ofthe
respective provisions oftheAgreements within theframework oftheWorld Trade Organization.
2. TheParties shallnotify eachother changes intheirrespective agricultural policies pursued
ormeasures applied which mayaffect theconditions ofagricultural trade between them asprovided
forinthisAgreement. Prompt consultations shallbeheld, uponrequest ofanyParty, toexamine the
situation.
Article 14
Special safeguards
Notwithstanding other provisions ofthisAgreement and,inparticular, Article 27,if,given
theparticular sensitivity oftheagricultural markets, imports ofproducts originating inaParty, which
aresubject toconcessions granted under thisAgreement, cause serious disturbance tothemarkets of
theother Party, theParty concerned shallenterintoconsultations immediately tofindtheappropriate
solution. Pending suchsolution, theParty concerned maytakethemeasures itdeems necessary.
Article 15
Veterinary, Health andPhytosanitary Measures
1. MeasuresconcerningveterinaryandphytosanitarycontrolwillbeharmonisedbetweentheParties
inaccordance withtheEuropean Union legislation.WT/REG48/1
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2. Theveterino-sanitary measures andthework oftheveterinary services willbeinaccordance
withtheOffice International desEpizoodies Codex andother international conventions inthisfield.
3. TheParties commit themselves nottointroduce discriminatory orotherunusual measures which
would limittheflowofinformation andtrade inagricultural products.
CHAPTER III
General provisions
Article 16
Rules oforigin andco-operation incustoms administration
1. Protocol 4tothisAgreement laysdown therulesoforigin andrelated methods ofadministrative
co-operation.
2. TheParties shalltakeappropriate measures, including regular reviews bytheJointCommittee
andarrangements foradministrative co-operation, toensure thattheprovisions ofProtocol 4tothis
Agreement andArticles 3to8,11,12,17and28ofthisAgreement areeffectively andharmoniously
applied, andtoreduce, asfaraspossible, theformalities imposed ontrade, andtoachieve mutually
satisfactory solutions toanydifficulties arising from theoperation ofthose provisions.
3. Themutual assistance between administrative authorities incustoms matters shalltakeplace
inaccordance withtheprovisions ofProtocol 5tothisAgreement.
Article 17
Internal taxation
1. TheParties shallrefrain fromanymeasure orpractice ofaninternal fiscal nature establishing,
whether directly orindirectly, discrimination between theproducts originating intheParties.
2. Exporters maynotbenefit fromrepayment ofinternal taxation inexcess oftheamount ofdirect
orindirect taxation imposed onproducts exported totheterritory ofoneoftheParties.
Article 18
General exceptions
ThisAgreement shallnotpreclude prohibitions orrestrictions onimports, exports orgoods
intransit justified onthegrounds ofpublic morality, public policy orpublic security; theprotection
ofhuman, animal orplantlifeorhealth; theprotection ofnational treasures possessing artistic, historic
orarchaeological value; theprotection ofintellectual property orrules relating togoldorsilver or
theconservation ofexhaustible natural resources ifsuchmeasures aremade effective inconjunction
withrestrictions ondomestic production orconsumption. Suchprohibitions orrestrictions shallnot,
however, constitute ameans ofarbitrary discrimination oradisguised restriction ontrade between
theParties.WT/REG48/1
Page7
Article 19
Security exceptions
Nothing inthisAgreement shallprevent aParty fromtaking anyappropriate measure which
itconsiders necessary:
(a) toprevent thedisclosure ofinformation contrary toitsessential security interests;
(b) fortheprotection ofitsessential security interests orfortheimplementation of
international obligations ornational policies:
(i) relating tothetraffic inarms, ammunition andimplements ofwar,provided
thatsuchmeasures donotimpair theconditions ofcompetition inrespect of
products notintended forspecifically military purposes, andtosuchtraffic
inother goods, materials andservices asiscarried ondirectly orindirectly
forthepurpose ofsupplying amilitary establishment; or
(ii) relating tothenon-proliferation ofbiological andchemical weapons, nuclear
weapons orother nuclear explosive devices; or
(iii) taken intimeofwarorother serious international tension.
Article 20
State monopolies
1. TheParties shalladjust progressively anystatemonopoly ofcommercial character soasto
ensure thatby1July1999nodiscrimination regarding theconditions under which goods areprocured
andmarketed exists between nationals oftheParties.
2. Theprovisions ofthisArticle shallapply toanybodythrough which thecompetent authorities
oftheParties,inlaworinfact,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,supervise,determineorappreciablyinfluence
imports orexports between theParties. These provisions shalllikewise apply tomonopolies delegated
byaParty toother bodies.
Article 21
Payments
1. Payments infreely convertible currencies relating totrade ingoods between theParties and
thetransfer ofsuchpayments totheterritory oftheParty tothisAgreement, where thecreditor resides,
shallbefreefrom anyrestrictions.
2. ThePartiesshallrefrainfromanyexchangeoradministrativerestrictionsonthegrant,repayment
oracceptance ofshortandmedium termcredits related totradeingoods inwhich aresident participates.
3. Notwithstanding theprovisions ofparagraph 2,anymeasures concerning current payments
connected withthemovements ofgoods shallbeinconformity withtheconditions laiddown under
Article VIIIoftheArticles oftheAgreement oftheInternational Monetary Fund.WT/REG48/1
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Article 22
Rules ofcompetition concerning undertakings
1. Thefollowing areincompatible withtheproper functioning ofthisAgreement insofarasthey
mayaffect trade between theParties:
(a) allagreements between undertakings, decisions byassociations ofundertakings and
concerted practices between undertakings which have astheir object oreffect the
prevention, restriction ordistortion ofcompetition;
(b) abuse byoneormoreundertakings ofadominant position intheterritories oftheParties
asawhole orinsubstantial partthereof.
2. Theprovisions ofparagraph 1shallapply totheactivities ofallundertakings including public
undertakings andundertakings towhich theParties grant special orexclusive rights. Undertakings
entrusted withtheoperation ofservices ofgeneral economic interest orhaving thecharacter ofarevenue-
producing monopoly, shallbesubject toprovisions ofparagraph 1insofarastheapplication ofthese
provisions doesnotobstruct theperformance, inlaworinfact,oftheparticular public tasksassigned
tothem.
3. With regard toproducts referred toinChapter IItheprovisions stipulated inparagraph 1(a)
shallnotapply tosuchagreements, decisions andpractices which form anintegral partofanational
market organization.
4. IfaParty considers thatagiven practice isincompatible withparagraphs 1,2and3andif
suchpractice causes orthreatens tocause serious prejudice totheinterest ofthatParty ormaterial
injury toitsdomestic industry, itmaytakeappropriate measures under theconditions andinaccordance
withtheprocedure laiddown inArticle 31.
Article 23
State aid
1. Anyaidgranted byaStatebeing aParty tothisAgreement orthrough stateresources inany
formwhatever which distorts orthreatens todistort competition byfavouring certain undertakings or
theproduction ofcertain goods shall, insofarasitmayaffect tradebetween theParties, beincompatible
withtheproper functioning ofthisAgreement.
2. Theprovisions ofparagraph 1shallnotapply toproducts referred toinChapter II.
3. TheParties shallensure transparency intheareaofstateaid,interalia,byreporting annually
toeachother onthetotalamount andthedistribution oftheaidgiven andbyproviding totheother
Party, upon request, information onaidschemes andonparticular individual cases ofstateaid.
4. IfaParty considers thataparticular practice:
- isincompatible withtheterms ofparagraph 1,and
- ifsuchpractice causes orthreatens tocause serious prejudice totheinterest ofthat
Party ormaterial injury toitsdomestic industry,WT/REG48/1
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itmaytakeappropriate measures under theconditions ofandinaccordance withtheprovisions laid
down inArticle 31.Suchappropriate measures mayonlybetaken inconformity withtheprocedures
andunder theconditions oftheWorld Trade Organization andanyother relevant instrument negotiated
under itsauspices which areapplicable between theParties.
Article 24
Public procurement
1. TheParties consider theliberalisation oftheirrespective public procurement markets asan
objective ofthisAgreement.
2. TheParties shallprogressively develop theirrespective regulations forpublic procurement
withaviewtogrant suppliers oftheother Party, on1January 2001 atthelatest, access tocontract
award procedures ontheirrespective public procurement markets according totheprovisions ofthe
Agreement onGovernment Procurement oftheWorld Trade Organization.
3. TheJointCommittee shallexamine developments related totheachievement oftheobjectives
ofthisArticle andmayrecommend practical modalities ofimplementing theprovisions ofparagraph 2
soastoensure freeaccess, transparency andfullbalance ofrights andobligations.
4. Duringtheexaminationreferredtoinparagraph3,theJointCommitteemayconsider,especially
inthelightofdevelopmentsinthisareaininternationalrelations,thepossibilityofextendingthecoverage
and/or thedegree ofthemarket opening provided forinparagraph 2.
5. TheParties shallendeavour toaccede totheAgreement onGovernment Procurement ofthe
World Trade Organization.
Article 25
Protection ofintellectual property
1. TheParties shall grant andensure theprotection ofintellectual property rights onanon-
discriminatory basis, including measures forgranting andenforcing suchrights. Theprotection shall
begradually improved onthelevel corresponding tothesubstantive standards ofthemultilateral
agreements which arespecified inAnnex IIItothisAgreement before 1July1999.
2. Forthepurposes ofthisAgreement "intellectual property protection" includes, inparticular,
protection ofcopyright, comprising computer programs anddatabases, andneighbouring rights, trade
marks, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, topographies ofintegrated circuits, aswell
asundisclosed information onknow-how.
3. TheParties shallco-operate inmatters ofintellectual property. They shallhold, uponrequest
ofanyParty, expert consultations onthese matters, inparticular, onactivities relating totheexisting
ortofuture international conventions onharmonization, administration andenforcement ofintellectual
property andonactivities ininternational organizations, suchastheWorld Trade Organization and
theWorld Intellectual Property Organization, aswellasrelations oftheParties withanythirdcountry
onmatters concerning intellectual property.WT/REG48/1
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Article 26
Dumping
IfaParty finds thatdumping within themeaning ofArticle VIoftheGeneral Agreement on
Tariffs andTrade 1994 istaking place intrade relations governed bythisAgreement, itmaytake
appropriate measures against thatpractice inaccordance withArticle VIoftheGeneral Agreement
onTariffs andTrade 1994andtheAgreement onImplementation ofArticle VIoftheGeneral Agreement
onTariffs andTrade 1994 under theconditions andinaccordance withtheprocedure laiddown in
Article 31.
Article 27
General Safeguards
Where anyproduct isbeing imported insuchincreased quantities andunder suchconditions
astocause orthreaten tocause:
(a) serious injury todomestic producers oflikeordirectly competitive products inthe
territory oftheimporting Party, or
(b) serious disturbances inanyrelated sector oftheeconomy ordifficulties which could
bring about serious deterioration intheeconomic situation ofaregion,
theParty concerned maytakeappropriate measures under theconditions andinaccordance withthe
procedure laiddown inArticle 31.
Article 28
Structural adjustment
1. Exceptional measures oflimited duration which derogate fromtheprovisions ofArticle 3may
betaken byanyoftheParties intheform ofincreased customs duties.
2. These measures mayonlyconcern infant industries, orcertain sectors undergoing restructuring
orfacing serious difficulties, particularly where these difficulties produce important social problems.
3. Customs duties onimports applicable intheParty concerned toproducts originating inthe
other Party introduced bythese measures maynotexceed 25percentadvalorem andshallmaintain
anelement ofpreference forproducts originating intheother Party. Thetotalvalue ofimports of
theproducts which aresubject tothesemeasures maynotexceed 15percentoftotalimports ofindustrial
products from theother Party asdefined inChapter Iduring thelastyearforwhich statistics are
available.
4. These measures shallbeapplied foraperiod notexceeding threeyears unless alonger duration
isauthorised bytheJoint Committee. They shallcease toapply on1January 2001 atthelatest.
5. Nosuchmeasures canbeintroduced inrespect ofaproduct ifmore thanthree years elapsed
since theelimination ofallcustoms duties andquantitative restrictions orcharges ormeasures having
anequivalent effect concerning thatproduct.WT/REG48/1
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6. TheParty concerned shallinform theother Party ofanyexceptional measures itintends to
takeand,upon request oftheother Party, consultations shallbeheldwithin theJointCommittee on
suchmeasures andthesectors towhich theyapply prior totheirintroduction. When taking such
measures theParty concerned shallprovide theJointCommittee withaschedule fortheelimination
ofthecustoms duties introduced under thisArticle. Thisschedule shallprovide foraphasing outof
these duties starting atthelatest twoyears aftertheirintroduction. TheJointCommittee maydecide
onadifferent schedule.
Article 29
Re-export andserious shortage
Where compliance withtheprovisions ofArticles 6and8leads to:
(a) re-export towards athirdcountry against which theexporting Party maintains forthe
product concerned quantitative export restrictions, export duties ormeasures orcharges
having equivalent effect; or
(b) aserious shortage, orthreat thereof, ofaproduct essential totheexporting Party;
andwhere thesituations referred toabove giveriseorarelikely togiverisetomajor difficulties for
theexporting Party, thatParty maytakeappropriate measures under theconditions andinaccordance
withtheprocedure laiddown inArticle 31.
Article 30
Fulfilment ofobligations
1. TheParties shalltakeanygeneral orspecific measures required tofulfiltheirobligations under
thisAgreement. They shallensure thattheobjectives setoutinthisAgreement areattained.
2. IfaParty considers thattheother Party hasfailed tofulfilanobligation under thisAgreement,
theParty concerned maytakeappropriate measures under theconditions andinaccordance withthe
procedure laiddown inArticle 31.
Article 31
Procedure fortheapplication ofsafeguard measures
1. Before initiating theprocedure fortheapplication ofsafeguard measures setoutinthefollowing
paragraphs ofthisArticle, theParties shallendeavour tosolve anydifferences between themthrough
direct consultations.
2. Intheevent ofaParty subjecting imports ofproducts liable togiverisetothesituation referred
toinArticle 27toanadministrative procedure having asitspurpose therapid provision ofinformation
onthetrend oftrade flows, itshallinform theother Party.
3. Without prejudice toparagraph 7,aParty which considers resorting tosafeguard measures
shallpromptly notify theotherParty thereof andsupply allrelevant information. Consultations between
theParties shalltakeplace without delay intheJoint Committee withaviewtofinding asolution.WT/REG48/1
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4. (a) With regard toArticles 26,27and29,theJoint Committee shallexamine thecase
orthesituation andmaytakeanydecision needed toputanendtothedifficulties
notified bytheParty concerned. Inthecaseoftheabsence ofsuchdecision within
thirty daysofthematter being referred totheJointCommittee, theParty concerned
mayadopt themeasures necessary inorder toremedy thesituation.
(b) With regard toArticle 30,theParty concerned maytakeappropriate measures after
theconsultations havebeenconcluded oraperiod ofthree months haselapsed from
thedateofthefirstnotification totheother Party.
(c) Withregard toArticle 22and23,theParty concerned shallgivetheJointCommittee
alltheassistance required inorder toexamine thecaseand,where appropriate, eliminate
thepractice objected to.IftheParty inquestion failstoputanendtothepractice
objected towithin theperiod fixed bytheJointCommittee oriftheJointCommittee
failstoreach anagreement within thirty working daysofthematter being referred
toit,theParty concerned mayadopt theappropriate measures todealwiththe
difficulties resulting from thepractice inquestion.
5. Thesafeguard measures taken shallbeimmediately notified totheother Party. They shall
berestricted withregard totheirextent andtotheirduration towhatisstrictly necessary inorder to
rectify thesituation giving risetotheirapplication andshallnotbeinexcess oftheinjury caused by
thepractice orthedifficulty inquestion. Priority shallbegiven tosuchmeasures which willleast
disturb thefunctioning ofthisAgreement.
6. Thesafeguard measures taken shallbethesubject ofperiodic consultations within theJoint
Committee withaviewtotheirrelaxation assoonaspossible, orabolition when conditions nolonger
justify theirmaintenance.
7. Whereexceptionalcircumstancesrequiringimmediateactionmakepriorexaminationimpossible,
theParty concerned may,inthecasesofArticles 26,27and29,apply forthwith theprovisional measures
strictly necessary toremedy thesituation. Themeasures shallbenotified without delay andconsultations
between theParties shalltakeplace assoonaspossible within theJoint Committee.
Article 32
Balance ofpayments difficulties
1. TheParties shallendeavour toavoid theimposition ofrestrictive measures including measures
relating toimports forbalance ofpayments purposes.
2. Where oneoftheParties isinserious balance ofpayments difficulties, orunder imminent threat
thereof, theParty concerned may,inaccordance withtherelevant provisions oftheGeneral Agreement
onTariffs andTrade 1994 adopt restrictive measures, including measures related toimports, which
shallbeoflimited duration andmaynotgobeyond whatisnecessary toremedy thebalance ofpayments
situation. Themeasures shallbeprogressively relaxed asbalance ofpayments conditions improve
andtheyshallbeeliminated when conditions nolonger justify theirmaintenance. TheParty concerned
shallinform theother Party forthwith oftheirintroduction and,whenever practicable, ofaschedule
fortheirremoval.WT/REG48/1
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Article 33
Evolutionary clause
1. Where aParty considers thatitwould beuseful intheinterests oftheeconomies oftheParties
todevelopanddeepentherelationsestablishedbythisAgreementbyextendingthemtofieldsnotcovered
thereby, itshall submit areasoned request totheother Party. TheParties mayinstruct theJoint
Committee toexamine sucharequest and,where appropriate, tomake recommendations, particularly
withaviewtoopening negotiations.
2. Agreements resulting from theprocedure referred toinparagraph 1willbesubject tothe
ratification ortotheapproval bytheParties inaccordance withtheirnational legislation.
CHAPTER IV
Institutional andfinalprovisions
Article 34
TheJoint Committee
1. TheJointCommittee ishereby established andshallconsist ofarepresentative appointed by
theGovernment oftheSlovak Republic, ontheonehand, andofarepresentative appointed bythe
Government oftheRepublic ofLithuania, ontheother hand.
2. Theimplementation ofthisAgreement shall besupervised andadministered bytheJoint
Committee.
3. Forthepurpose oftheproper implementation ofthisAgreement, theParties shallexchange
information and,uponrequest ofanyParty, shallholdconsultations within theJointCommittee. The
JointCommittee shallkeepunder review thepossibility offurther removal oftheobstacles totrade
between theParties.
4. TheJointCommittee maytakedecisions inthecases provided forinthisAgreement. Onother
matters theJoint Committee maymake recommendations.
Article 35
Procedures oftheJoint Committee
1. Fortheproper implementation ofthisAgreement theJoint Committee shallmeetwhenever
necessary butatleastonceayear. Each Party mayrequest thatameeting beheld.
2. TheJoint Committee shallactbycommon agreement.
3. Ifarepresentative intheJoint Committee ofaParty has,under thereservation, accepted a
decision subject tothefulfilment ofinternal legal requirements, thedecision shallenter intoforce,
ifnolaterdateiscontained therein, onthedaythelifting ofthereservation isnotified.WT/REG48/1
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4. Forthepurpose ofthisAgreement theJointCommittee shalladopt itsrulesofprocedure which
shall, interalia,contain provisions forconvening meetings andforthedesignation oftheChairman
andhistermofoffice.
5. TheJointCommitteemaydecidetosetupsuchsubcommitteesandworkinggroupsasitconsiders
necessary toassist itinaccomplishing itstasks.
Article 36
Trade relations governed bythisandother agreements
1. ThisAgreement shallapply totrade relations between theSlovak Republic andtheRepublic
ofLithuania.
2. ThisAgreementshallnotpreventthemaintenanceorestablishmentofcustomsunions,free-trade
areas orarrangements forfrontier tradetotheextent thatthesedonotnegatively affect thetraderegime
and,inparticular, theprovisions concerning rules oforigin provided forbythisAgreement.
Article 37
Annexes andProtocols
1. TheAnnexes ItoIIItothisAgreement andtheProtocols 1to5tothisAgreement shallform
anintegral partofthisAgreement.
2. TheJoint Committee maydecide toamend theAnnexes andtheProtocols. Inthiscasethe
amendments shallenter intoforce onthefirstdaydateofthesecond month following thedateof
exchange ofdiplomatic notes confirming theirapproval bytheGovernment ofarespective Party.
Article 38
Amendments
Amendments tothisAgreement other thanthose referred toinparagraph 2ofArticle 37shall
enter intoforce onthefirstdayofthesecond month following thedateofexchange diplomatic notes
confirmingthatallinternallegalproceduresoftherespectivePartyforentryintoforceoftheamendments
havebeencompleted.
Article 39
Entry intoforce
1. ThisAgreement issubject totheratification andshallenter intoforce onthefirstdayofthe
second month following thedateofexchange oftheinstruments ofratification.
2. Theexchange oftheinstruments ofratification shalltakeplace inVilnius.WT/REG48/1
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Article 40
Provisional application
Pending theentry intoforce ofthisAgreement according toArticle 39,theSlovak Republic
shallapply thisAgreement provisionally from1January 1997, provided thattheRepublic ofLithuania
shallnotify prior to15December 1996, thatitsinternal legalrequirements forentry intoforce ofthis
Agreement arefulfilled andthattheRepublic ofLithuania shall apply thisAgreement from
1January 1997.
Article 41
Validity andTermination
1. ThisAgreement isconcluded foranunlimited period.
2. Either Party mayterminate thisAgreement byawritten notification totheother Party. The
termination shalltakeeffect onthefirstdayoftheseventh month following thedateonwhich the
notification wasreceived bytheother Party.
INWITNESS WHEREOF theundersigned plenipotentiaries, being dulyauthorised thereto,
havesigned thisAgreement.
Done atBratislava this27thdayofNovember onethousand ninehundred andninety six,in
twooriginals, eachintheSlovak, Lithuanian andEnglish languages, alltextsbeing equally authentic.
Incaseofdifferences ininterpretation, theEnglish textshallprevail.
FortheSlovak Republic FortheRepublic ofLithuaniaWT/REG48/1
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RECORD OFUNDERSTANDINGS
1. With regard toparagraph 2ofArticle 37,theGovernment shallactinaccordance withthe
legalprocedures required bythenational legislation.
2. Thediagonal cumulation laiddown inArticle 4ofProtocol 4tothisAgreement mayonlybe
applied, when thecountries mentioned inthisArticle havetheFreeTrade Agreement ortheAgreement
EstablishingtheCustomsUnion,containingidenticalrulesoforigin,withbothParties.Forthecountries
notcomplying withthiscondition onthedateofentry intoforce ofthisAgreement, thisArticle 4shall
apply fromthedateofentryintoforceeither oftheFreeTrade Agreement ortheAgreement Establishing
theCustoms Union oroftheamendment ofsuchAgreement containing identical rulesoforigin, between
thatcountry andthelatter oftheParties.
Each reference toArticle 4ofProtocol 4tothisAgreement shallapply inaccordance with
thisRecord ofUnderstandings.
3. Theprohibition ofdrawback of,ortheexemption from, customs duties laiddown inArticle 15
ofProtocol 4tothisAgreement shallbetemporarily derogated untilitwillbeapplied withtheEuropean
Union andwiththeEFTA States.
4. TheParties agreed toassess, atthelatest twoyears afterthedateofentry intoforce ofthis
Agreement within theJointCommittee theeffects oftheconcessions granted forproducts inProtocol 3
tothisAgreement andmaydecide onpossible amendments ofthemutual concessions andproducts
covered byAnnexes toProtocol 3tothisAgreement.