The Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

DESIRING to promote the relations between the Parties in the fields of information technology and communications,

RECOGNISING that information technology and communications are an important factor for the economic and social development of each country,

AWARE OF the existing potential for more intensive bilateral relations in the fields of information technology and communications,

Have agreed as follows:

The objective of this Agreement is to establish inter-governmental cooperation in the fields of information technology and communications, to foster the efforts of the Parties for exchange of experience and good practice.

Article 2

2.1. The Parties may initiate closer cooperation on specific issues under this Agreement.

2.2. The Parties shall support and recommend direct collaboration between the relevant entities in the fields of information technology and communications.

Article 3

The relations between the Parties in the fields of information technology and communications shall be carried out according to the provisions of their national legislation, the recommendations and acts in force of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the present Agreement.

Article 4

4.1. The Parties shall cooperate in the following areas, without limitation, as mutually agreed upon by the Parties:

- Broadband;

- Legislation in electronic communications and postal services;

- Joint participation of Armenian and Bulgarian organisations in European Union programmes and initiatives;

- Encouraging the business contacts between the Parties and promoting the Armenian and the Bulgarian companies;

- Preparation of positions and/or provision of mutual support related to the participation in conferences and fora of the relevant specialised international organizations.

4.2. The Parties shall carry out the cooperation by:

- exchange of information and documentation;

- bilateral consultations;

- missions of experts and joint working groups;

- other appropriate forms of cooperation as mutually agreed.

Article 5

For correspondence related to the implementation of the provisions of the present Agreement the two Parties shall use the English language. The language of correspondence between the other organisations and entities may be decided by mutual agreement.

Article 6

Each Party is obliged not to disclose the information, acquired under this Agreement, to third parties without the prior consent of the other Party.

Article 7

7.1. Any dispute arising in the implementation or interpretation of the provisions of the present Agreement shall be settled through consultations and negotiations between the Parties.

7.2. The provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties resulting from other international agreements.

Article 8

8.1. The competent authorities responsible for the implementation of this Agreement shall be:

- In the Republic of Armenia: the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies;

- In the Republic of Bulgaria: the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications.

8.2. The Parties shall notify each other in due course in case of any change relating to the competent authorities under the present Agreement.

Article 9

On the initiative and general consent of each Party additions and amendments may be made to the present Agreement. Such amendments and/or additions shall enter into force according to Article 10.1 of the present Agreement.

Article 10

10.1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last notification by which the Parties inform each other, via diplomatic channels, on the fulfilment of their internal legal procedures, and shall be valid for five (5) years, with automatic extension for new periods of five (5) years each.

10.2. Either Party may denounce this Agreement by written notice to the other Party through diplomatic channels. In such a case the termination of the Agreement shall take effect three (3) months after the prior notice in writing to the other Party.

10.3. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the co-operation activities, which have already been in progress.

Done in Yerevan, on the 12 of February, 2018 in two originals, both in the Armenian, Bulgarian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.