MEMORANDUMOF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ON THE COOPERATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF RAIL TRANSPORT("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 13/2018) |
The Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Bulgaria, hereinafter referred to as the "Parties", with a view to strengthening and deepening cooperation in the field of rail transport,
AWARE of the significant economic challenges and opportunities arising from the beneficial relations between the two countries,
NOTING the high importance of cooperation for the development of an efficient transport system on the basis of the development and modernization of the Trans-European Transport Network,
UNDERLINING the significance of the improvement of the interconnections between the two countries, based on the development and modernization of the railway Pan-European Corridor X, which is of vital importance for both countries,
CONSIDERING the importance of coordination and cooperation as regards the construction and modernization of railway infrastructure,
CONSIDERING the benefit of the exploitation of rail routes in relation to road routes and the modal shift from road to rail,
FOLLOWING the principle of equal partnership and mutual respect,
HAVING REGARD to the "Stabilisation and Association Agreement" between the European Communities and their Member States of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part, which entered into force in September 2013,
Agree as follows:
Article 1
The aim of this Memorandum of Understanding is the cooperation on projects of mutual interest, in the context of current and future needs, with respect to the development of rail infrastructure and the facilitation of rail transport between and through the two countries.
Article 2
The Parties agree on joint efforts for the harmonization and signing the agreement that regulates more efficient border control and procedures in railway transport.
The Parties agree that priority shall be given to improvement of rail infrastructure between the two countries, which will contribute to the valuable amelioration of the quality of the international freight and passenger services operated between or across the territories of the two countries.
The Parties also intend to explore the possibility to jointly approach EU funds and other international financial institutions in relation to railway projects along the Pan-European Transport Corridor X.
Article 3
The Parties shall exchange all information relevant to the development of rail infrastructure and the reduction of train delays.
The Parties shall be committed to examining the scope for potential cooperation within the framework of the Pan-European Transport Corridor X and the improvement of freight transport, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 913/10 of the European Parliament and the Council concerning a European rail network for competitive freight.
Article 4
The provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding shall not affect any rights and obligations of the Parties arising from other bilateral and multilateral agreements binding upon them.
Article 5
This Memorandum of Understanding shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the applicable national legislation of the two countries.
Article 6
This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of its signature by the Parties.
Any modification to the present Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force upon agreement and signature by the Parties.
This Memorandum of Understanding shall be valid until one of the Parties terminates it by submitting a written notification to the other Party. In such a case, this Memorandum of Understanding shall cease to be in force on the date of the receipt of the notification.
Signed in Sofia, on 23 th februry 2018 in two originals, in English.
For the Republic of Serbia |
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For the Republic of Bulgaria |