A G R E E M E N T

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as the Contracting Parties).

Taking into account the Agreement on Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Republic of Armenia signed in Athens, on the 20th January 1992;

Desiring to develop and to promote the economic, scientific and technical cooperation in the field of agriculture;

Considering that the development and the strengthening of such cooperation shall be of mutual benefit to both countries;

Pursuant to the legislation in force in the states of the Contracting Parties;

Considering that the Hellenic Republic, being a Member State of the European Union, is obligated to observe and to act in conformity with the European Union’s legislation;

Have agreed on the following:

Article 1

The Contracting Parties will cooperate in the field of agriculture in accordance with this Agreement, the national legislations of their states and relevant principles and rules of international law.

Article 2

Cooperation in the field of agriculture will include indicatively, the following sectors:

- plant production and plant production inputs,

- animal breeding and husbandry and livestock production inputs,

- post-harvest treatment and food processing industry, including marketing,

- quality schemes, certification/control for agricultural products and foodstuffs,

- farm advisory systems,

- agricultural research,

- extension and training services,

- bio-technology,

- phytosanitary issues,

- veterinary issues,

- mechanization of agriculture,

- land reclamation, technical know-how for agricultural infrastructure,

- agro-environmental issues,

- fisheries and aquaculture,

- protection of geographical indications.

Article 3

Cooperation in the field of agriculture shall be implemented through:

a. Exchange of scientific and technical information and documentation,

b. Exchange of genetic and biological material for scientific purposes,

c. Exchange of information and experience on developments in scientific research,

d. Exchange of visits of experts and consultants,

e. Organization of training programs, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and meetings in either of the two states of the Contracting Parties,

f. Trilateral cooperation (with other countries, the European Union, and/or international funding agencies) for the economic development and the implementation of regional projects, of mutual interest,

g. Encouragement of the activities of joint ventures between the cooperative and private sectors of both countries in the field of agriculture.

Article 4

The Contracting Parties have agreed on the establishment of a Joint Hellenic-Armenian Committee for Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as “The Joint Committee”. The Joint Committee will be composed of representatives of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia and if applicable, by representatives of the cooperative and private sectors from both countries.

The Joint Committee shall meet periodically and alternatively in Athens and in Yerevan, at dates that will be arranged each time through diplomatic channels.

Article 5

The Joint Committee will be responsible for:

- facilitating the implementation of the present Agreement,

- reviewing and recording developments taking place in the interim of two of its successive sessions,

- examining and adopting proposals for cooperation in specific areas of the sectors of cooperation, such as those stated indicatively in Article 2,

- setting guidelines and priorities for the implementation of the present Agreement’s objectives to be attained until the next session.

If deemed necessary, the Joint Committee may establish Sub-Committees for more effective and facile implementation of its duties.

Article 6

All expenses arising from the exchange of visits of delegations and of experts and consultants will be borne by the sending Contracting Party, if not otherwise agreed in writing. The receiving Contracting Party has to be informed about such visits at least one month prior to the arrival of the above persons.

The Contracting Parties shall explore the possibilities to ensure the availability of financial resources from the European Union, international organizations and funding agencies.

The funding undertaken by the Contracting Parties will be subject to the availability of their financial resources.

Article 7

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled through negotiations by the Parties.

Article 8

The present Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last written notification, by which the Contracting Parties shall notify each other, in writing, through diplomatic channels, that their respective national requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled.

Upon its entry into force, the present Agreement shall replace the Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Hellenic Republic and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia for Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture, signed in Yerevan on 20 March, 1997.

Article 9

The present Agreement may be modified by mutual written consent of the Contracting Parties. Any amendment to or modification of the Agreement shall enter into force in accordance with the procedure described in Article 8, paragraph 1.

Article 10

The present Agreement shall remain in force for an initial period of five (5) years and shall, thereafter, be automatically extended for successive periods of five (5) years, unless terminated in writing, through diplomatic channels, by either Contracting Party at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of its initial or any subsequent period of validity. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, the activities already in process shall continue until completed.

In witness Thereof, the Undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by the Government of their respective countries have thereto signed this Agreement.

Done in Yerevan, Armenia, on 30 of September 2014, in three original copies, in Greek, Armenian and English languages, all the texts being authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.