2023/2741

8.12.2023

Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia on the status of the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA)

THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referred to as the "EU",

of the one part, and

THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, hereinafter referred to as the "Host State",

of the other part,

Together hereinafter referred to as the "Parties",

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT:

— the letter of 27 December 2022 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

— Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/162 of 23 January 2023 on a European Union mission in Armenia (EUMA) ( 1 ) ,

— that this Agreement will not affect the Parties' rights and obligations under international agreements and other instruments establishing international courts and tribunals,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Scope and definitions

1. This Agreement shall apply to the European Union mission in Armenia (EUMA) and its personnel.

2. This Agreement shall apply only within the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

3. For the purposes of this Agreement:

(a) "EUMA" or "the Mission" shall mean the EU Mission in Armenia (EUMA) established by the Council of the European Union in Decision (CFSP) 2023/162, including its components, units, headquarters and personnel deployed in the territory of the Host State and assigned to EUMA.

EUMA shall be considered by the Host State as a diplomatic mission with regard to customs and taxation matters;

(b) "Head of Mission" shall mean the Head of Mission of EUMA, appointed by the Council of the European Union;

(d) "EUMA personnel" shall mean the Head of Mission, personnel of the Mission seconded by EU Member States, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU institutions and non-EU States invited by the EU to participate in EUMA, international staff recruited on a contractual basis by EUMA deployed for the preparation, support and implementation of the Mission, and personnel on mission for a Sending State, an EU institution or EEAS in the framework of the Mission. It shall not include commercial contractors or staff employed locally;

(e) "headquarters" shall mean the headquarters of EUMA in the Republic of Armenia;

(f) "Sending State" shall mean any EU Member State or non-EU State that has seconded personnel to the Mission;

(g) "facilities" shall mean all buildings, premises, installations and land required for the conduct of the activities of the Mission, as well as for the accommodation of the Mission's personnel;

(h) "personnel employed locally" shall mean personnel who are nationals of, or permanently resident in, the Host State;

(i) "official correspondence" shall mean all correspondence relating to EUMA and its functions;

(j) "contractor" shall mean any person supplying to EUMA goods or services related to the Mission's activities;

(k) "EUMA means of transport" shall mean all vehicles and other means of transport owned, hired or chartered by EUMA;

(l) "EUMA assets" shall mean equipment, including means of transport, and consumer goods necessary for EUMA.

Article 2

General provisions

1. EUMA and EUMA personnel shall respect the laws and regulations of the Host State and shall refrain from any action or activity incompatible with the objectives of EUMA.

2. EUMA shall be autonomous with regard to the execution of its functions under this Agreement. The Host State shall respect the unitary and international nature of EUMA.

3. The Head of Mission shall regularly inform the Government of the Host State of the number of EUMA personnel stationed within the Host State's territory.

Article 3

Identification

1. EUMA personnel shall be provided with, and identified by, a Mission's identification card, which they shall carry with them at all times. The relevant authorities of the Host State shall be provided with a specimen of the Mission's identification card.

2. The means of transport of EUMA may bear distinctive EUMA identification markings and/or registration plates, a specimen of which shall be provided to the relevant authorities of the Host State.

3. EUMA shall have the right to display the flag of the EU at its Headquarters and elsewhere, alone or together with the flag of the Host State, as decided by the Head of Mission. National flags or insignia of the constituent national contingents of EUMA may be displayed on the Mission's facilities, vehicles and any other means of transport and uniforms, as decided by the Head of Mission.

Article 4

Border crossing and movement within the Host State's territory

1. EUMA personnel and assets, including means of transport, shall cross the border of the Host State at official border crossings and via the international air corridors.

2. The Host State shall facilitate the entry into and the exit from the territory of the Host State for EUMA personnel and EUMA assets, including means of transport. EUMA personnel shall cross the state border of the Republic of Armenia with a valid passport. On entry into and departure from the territory of the Host State, EUMA personnel holding a Mission's identification card or a provisional proof of participation in EUMA shall be exempt from customs controls and procedures, visa and immigration requirements, and any form of immigration control within the territory of the Host State.

3. EUMA personnel shall be exempt from the regulations of the Host State governing the registration and control of aliens, but shall not acquire any right to permanent residence or domicile within the Host State's territory.

4. EUMA assets, including EUMA means of transport, entering, transiting or exiting the Host State's territory in support of EUMA shall be exempt, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Host State, from any requirement to produce inventories or other customs documentation and from any inspection.

5. Vehicles and any other means of transport used in support of EUMA shall not be subject to local licensing or registration requirements. Relevant international standards and regulations shall continue to apply.

If required, supplementary arrangements as referred to in Article 18 shall be concluded.

6. EUMA personnel may drive vehicles and operate aircraft and any other means of transport within the territory of the Host State provided they have valid national or international driving licences, or pilot licences, as appropriate. The Host State shall accept as valid, without tax or fee, driving licences or pilot licenses carried by EUMA personnel.

7. EUMA and EUMA personnel together with their means of transport, equipment and supplies shall enjoy free and unrestricted movement throughout the territory of the Host State, including its airspace.

If necessary, supplementary arrangements may be concluded in accordance with Article 18.

8. For the purpose of travel on official duties, EUMA personnel shall be entitled to use public roads, bridges and airports without the payment of duties, fees, tolls, taxes or other charges. EUMA shall not be exempt from reasonable charges for services requested and received under the conditions that apply to those provided to the Host State's nationals.

Article 5

Privileges and immunities of EUMA granted by the Host State

1. EUMA facilities shall be inviolable. The Host State's agents shall not enter them without the consent of the Head of Mission.

2. EUMA's facilities, their furnishings and other assets therein as well as their means of transport shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution.

3. EUMA, its property and assets, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall enjoy immunity from every form of legal process.

4. EUMA's archives and documents shall be inviolable at any time, wherever they may be.

5. EUMA's official correspondence shall be inviolable.

6 EUMA shall be exempt, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Host State, from all national, regional and communal dues, taxes and charges of a similar nature in respect of purchased and imported goods, services provided and facilities used by EUMA for the purposes of EUMA. EUMA shall not be exempt from dues, taxes or charges that represent payment for services rendered.

7. The Host State, in accordance with its laws and regulations, shall permit the entry of items required for the purpose of EUMA and shall grant those items exemption from all customs duties, fees, tolls, taxes and similar charges other than charges for storage, transport and other services requested and rendered.

Article 6

Privileges and immunities of EUMA personnel granted by the Host State

1. EUMA personnel shall not be subject to any form of arrest or detention.

2. Papers, correspondence and assets of EUMA personnel shall be inviolable, except in case of measures of execution which are permitted pursuant to paragraph 6.

3. EUMA personnel shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the Host State under all circumstances. Privileges granted to EUMA personnel and immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the Host State do not exempt them from the jurisdiction of the Sending State. The immunity of EUMA personnel from the criminal jurisdiction of the Host State may be waived by the Sending State or EU institution concerned, as the case may be. Such waiver must always be an express waiver.

4. EUMA personnel shall enjoy immunity from the civil and administrative jurisdiction of the Host State in respect of words spoken or written and all acts performed by them in the exercise of their official functions. If any civil proceeding is instituted against EUMA personnel before any Host State court, the Head of Mission and the competent authority of the Sending State or EU institution shall be notified immediately. Prior to initiation of the proceeding before the court, the Head of Mission and the competent authority of the Sending State or EU institution shall certify to the court whether the act in question was performed by EUMA personnel in the exercise of their official functions. If the act was performed in the exercise of official functions, the proceeding shall not be initiated and the provisions of Article 16 shall apply. If the act was not performed in the exercise of official functions, the proceeding may continue. The certification by the Head of Mission and the competent authority of the Sending State or EU institution shall be binding upon the jurisdiction of the Host State which may not contest it. The initiation of proceedings by EUMA personnel shall preclude them from invoking immunity from jurisdiction in respect of any counter-claim directly connected with the principal claim.

5. EUMA personnel shall not be obliged to give evidence as witnesses.

6. No measures of execution may be taken in respect of EUMA personnel, except in the case where a civil proceeding not related to their official functions is instituted against them. Property of EUMA personnel, which is certified by the Head of Mission to be necessary for the fulfilment of their official functions, shall be free from seizure for the satisfaction of a judgement, decision or order. In civil proceedings, EUMA personnel shall not be subject to any restrictions on their personal liberty or to any other measures of constraint.

7. The immunity of EUMA personnel from the jurisdiction of the Host State shall not exempt them from the jurisdictions of the respective Sending States.

8. EUMA personnel shall, with respect to services rendered for EUMA, be exempt from social security provisions which may be in force in the Host State.

9. EUMA personnel shall be exempt from any form of taxation in the Host State on the salary and emoluments paid to them by EUMA or the Sending States, as well as on any income received from outside the Host State.

10. The Host State shall, in accordance with its laws and regulations, permit the entry of articles for the personal use of EUMA personnel, and shall grant exemption from all customs duties, taxes, and related charges other than charges for storage, transport and similar services, in respect of such articles. The Host State shall also allow the export of such articles. The purchase of goods and services on the domestic market by EUMA personnel shall be exempt from VAT and taxes in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Host State.

11. The personal baggage of EUMA personnel shall be exempt from inspection, unless there are serious grounds for considering that it contains articles that are not for the personal use of EUMA personnel, or articles whose import or export is prohibited by the law or subject to quarantine regulations of the Host State. Inspection of such personal baggage shall be conducted only in the presence of EUMA personnel concerned or of an authorised representative of EUMA.

Article 7

Personnel employed locally

Personnel employed locally shall enjoy privileges and immunities only to the extent allowed by the Host State. However, the Host State shall exercise its jurisdiction over such personnel in such a manner as not to interfere unduly with the performance of the functions of EUMA.

Article 8

Criminal jurisdiction

The competent authorities of a Sending State shall have the right to exercise on the territory of the Host State all the criminal jurisdiction and disciplinary powers conferred on them by the law of the Sending State with regard to EUMA personnel.

Article 9

Security

1. The Host State, by its own means, shall assume full responsibility for the security of EUMA personnel.

2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Host State shall take all necessary measures for the protection, safety and security of EUMA and EUMA personnel. Any specific provisions proposed by the Host State shall be agreed with the Head of Mission before their implementation. The Host State shall permit, and support free of any charge, activities relating to the medical evacuation of EUMA personnel.

If required, supplementary arrangements as referred to in Article 18 shall be concluded.

Article 10

Uniform

1. EUMA personnel may wear national uniform or civilian dress with distinctive EUMA identification.

2. The wearing of uniform shall be subject to rules issued by the Head of Mission.

Article 11

Cooperation and Access to Information

1. The Host State shall provide full cooperation and support to EUMA and EUMA personnel.

2. If requested and necessary for the accomplishment of EUMA, the Host State shall provide EUMA personnel with effective access to:

(a) facilities, locations and official vehicles within the control of the Host State, which are relevant for the fulfilment of EUMA's mandate;

(b) documents, materials and information within the control of the Host State, in so far as necessary for the fulfilment of EUMA's mandate.

If required for the purposes of the first subparagraph, supplementary arrangements as referred to in Article 18 shall be concluded.

3. The Head of Mission and the Host State shall consult regularly and take appropriate measures to ensure close and reciprocal liaison at every appropriate level. The Host State may appoint a liaison officer to EUMA.

Article 12

Host State support and contracting

1. The Host State shall assist, if requested, EUMA in finding suitable facilities.

2. The Host State shall provide free of charge, if required and available, facilities which it owns. The Host State shall not claim any compensation in respect of constructions, alterations or modifications to those facilities.

Facilities owned by private entities, in so far as such facilities are requested for the conduct of EUMA's administrative and operational activities, shall be provided on the basis of appropriate contractual arrangements.

3. Within its means and capabilities, the Host State shall assist in the preparation, establishment and execution of and support for EUMA, including co-location facilities and equipment for EUMA experts.

4. The Host State's assistance and support to EUMA shall be provided under at least the same conditions as the assistance and support that it gives to its own nationals.

5. EUMA shall have the necessary legal capacity under the laws and regulations of the Host State in order to fulfil its mission, and in particular for the purpose of opening bank accounts and to acquire or dispose of assets and to be party to legal proceedings.

6. The law applicable to contracts concluded by EUMA in the Host State shall be determined by the relevant provisions in those contracts.

7. The contracts concluded by EUMA may stipulate that the dispute settlement procedure referred to in Article 15(3) and (4) shall be applicable to disputes arising from the implementation of the contract.

8. The Host State shall facilitate the implementation of contracts concluded by EUMA with commercial entities for the purpose of the mission.

Article 13

Deceased EUMA personnel

1. The Head of Mission shall have the right to take charge of and make suitable arrangements for the repatriation of any deceased EUMA personnel, as well as of their personal property.

2. No autopsy shall be performed on any deceased members of EUMA without the agreement of the State concerned, and the presence of a representative of EUMA and/or a representative of the State concerned.

3. The Host State and EUMA shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with a view to the early repatriation of deceased EUMA personnel.

Article 14

Communications

1. EUMA may install and operate radio sending and receiving stations, as well as satellite systems. It shall cooperate with the Host State's competent authorities with a view to avoiding conflicts in the use of appropriate frequencies. The Host State shall grant access to the frequency spectrum free of charge.

2. EUMA shall enjoy the right to unrestricted communication by radio (including satellite, mobile and hand-held radio), telephone, the internet, telegraph, facsimile and other means, as well as the right to install the equipment necessary for the maintenance of such communications within and between EUMA facilities, including the laying of cables and land lines, for the purpose of EUMA.

3. Within its facilities EUMA may make the necessary arrangements for the conveyance of mail addressed to and from EUMA and/or EUMA personnel.

Article 15

Claims for death, injury, damage and loss

1. EUMA, EUMA personnel, the EU and the Sending States shall not be liable for any damage to or loss of civilian or government property which is related to operational necessities or caused by activities in connection with civil disturbances or the protection of EUMA.

2. With a view to reaching an amicable settlement, claims for damage to, or loss of, civilian or government property not covered by paragraph 1, as well as claims for death of, or injury to, persons and claims for damage to, or loss of, EUMA property, shall be forwarded to EUMA via the competent authorities of the Host State, with regard to claims brought by a legal or natural person from the Host State, and to the competent authorities of the Host State, with regard to claims brought by EUMA.

3. Where no amicable settlement can be found, the claim shall be submitted to a claims commission composed on an equal basis of representatives of EUMA and representatives of the Host State. Settlement of claims shall be reached by common agreement.

4. Where no settlement can be reached within the claims commission, the dispute shall be settled by diplomatic means between the Host State and EU representatives for claims up to and including EUR 40 000. For claims exceeding that amount, the dispute shall be submitted to an arbitration tribunal, whose decisions shall be binding.

5. The arbitration tribunal referred to in paragraph 4 shall be composed of three arbitrators, one being appointed by the Host State, one being appointed by EUMA and the third being appointed jointly by the Host State and EUMA. Where one of the Parties does not appoint an arbitrator within two months or where no agreement can be found between the Host State and EUMA on the appointment of the third arbitrator, the arbitrator in question shall be appointed by the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

6. An administrative arrangement shall be concluded between EUMA and the administrative authorities of the Host State in order to determine the terms of reference of the claims commission and the arbitration tribunal, the procedure applicable within these bodies and the conditions under which claims are to be lodged.

Article 16

Liaison and disputes

1. All issues arising in connection with the application of this Agreement shall be examined jointly by representatives of EUMA and the Host State's competent authorities.

2. Failing any prior settlement, disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by diplomatic means between the Host State and EU representatives.

Article 17

Other provisions

1. The Government of the Host State shall be responsible for the implementation and for the observance by the appropriate local authorities of the Host State of the privileges, immunities and rights of EUMA and of EUMA personnel as provided for in this Agreement.

2. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or may be construed so as to derogate from any rights that may attach to an EU Member State or to any other State contributing to EUMA under other agreements.

Article 18

Implementing arrangements

For the purpose of the application of this Agreement, operational, administrative and technical matters may be the subject of separate arrangements to be concluded between the Head of Mission and the Host State's administrative authorities.

Article 19

Entry into force and termination

1. This Agreement shall apply from 20 February 2023.

2. This Agreement shall enter into force on the day on which the Parties have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures necessary for that purpose. The notifications shall be addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union, on the one hand, and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, on the other hand.

3. This Agreement shall remain in force until the date of departure of the last EUMA personnel, as notified by EUMA.

4. However, this Agreement may be amended or terminated by written agreement between the Parties.

5. Termination of this Agreement shall not affect any rights or obligations arising out of the execution of this Agreement before such termination.

Done at Yerevan on the twentieth day of November in the year two thousand and twenty-three, in two original copies, in the English language.

For the European Union

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For the Republic of Armenia

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( 1 ) OJ EU L 22, 24.1.2023, p. 29

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2023/2741/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)