LOAN AGREEMENTAGREEMENT OF FINANCING THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF A JOINT PERMANENT EXHIBITION IN BLOCK 17 OF THE AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 9/2024) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia (hereafter referred to as the Parties),
Confirming the commitment of the Parties to re-establish a joint permanent exhibition in Block 17 of the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau in the Republic of Poland as a place of remembrance for the victims from the territory of the former Yugoslavia in Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration and Extermination Camp,
Committed to the principles of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Ohrid Regional Strategy for Cultural Cooperation in South East Europe (2014) of the Council of Ministers of South East Europe - Enhancing culture for sustainable development, and recognising the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau as one of the central historical memorials in Europe as of one of the darkest period in the history of Humanity,
Recalling the cohesive power of cultural heritage in all its forms and dimensions, this initiative aims at contributing to the enhancement of dialogue, peace and reconciliation in the region, developing innovative and creative approaches to the safeguarding of cultural remembrance,
Thanking the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO for the continuing support of the project development, Republic of Austria for the efforts taken in the renovation of the pavilion and the Republic of Poland for supporting the re-establishment of the joint permanent exhibition,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The Parties agree to re-establish a joint permanent exhibition in Block 17 of the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, previously used by the former Yugoslavia.
The joint permanent exhibition shall be established on the first floor of Block 17.
The Parties agree to jointly finance the renovation and conservation of the first floor of Block 17 and common areas and structures shared with Austria. The Parties agree to jointly finance the design, for the part not covered by the Herman Family trust, as well as the implementation and all future maintenance costs of the joint permanent exhibition.
Article 2
The Parties shall reimburse the costs of the renovation and conservation of the common areas, structures and segments of Block 17 in the amount of 1,000,000 Euros (one million Euros) which was financed by the Republic of Austria through donations given to Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation in the Republic of Poland.
The Parties agree that the reimbursement of the aforementioned amount of 1,000,000 Euros will be effected using the following sharing model:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.50%
- Republic of Croatia 23.00%
- Montenegro 2.23%
- Republic of North Macedonia 7.50%
- Republic of Serbia 35.77%
- Republic of Slovenia 16.00%
The reimbursement by every Party shall be done in accordance with the separate agreements to be concluded by each of the Parties with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation in the Republic of Poland no later than 2 years after the last ratification of the Agreement.
Article 3
Exhibition, Maintenance and any Other Due Costs
The Parties shall jointly finance any outstanding costs of the implementation of the joint permanent exhibition that would not be covered by the donation of the Herman Family Trust, all future maintenance costs as regulated by separate bilateral agreements to be concluded between the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and each Party, as well as any other due costs related to the joint permanent exhibition at Block 17 of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, using the cost sharing model, as mentioned in the Article 2:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 15.50%
- Republic of Croatia 23.00%
- Montenegro 2.23%
- Republic of North Macedonia 7.50%
- Republic of Serbia 35.77%
- Republic of Slovenia 16.00%
The Parties agree that the maintenance costs shall be paid by each Party directly to the State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau once a year according to the invoice received, starting the first year of the opening of the permanent exhibition, in accordance with the costs estimates to be provided by the State Museum.
The Parties understand that all future coordination arrangements will be treated by a separate agreement.
Article 4
This Agreement may be amended at any time by the mutual written consent of the Parties.
Article 5
Any dispute about the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be resolved by negotiations and consultations between the Parties.
Article 6
The Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO shall act as Depositary of this Agreement.
The Depositary shall promptly notify the Parties of any deposits of instruments of ratification, acceptance and approval.
The Depositary shall transmit a certified copy of this Agreement to each Party and to the Secretariat of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - UNESCO.
Article 7
Signature and entry into force
This Agreement shall be subject to national ratification, acceptance or approval. The instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Depositary.
This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the next month following the deposit of the last instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval. The Depositary shall notify all Parties of the date of entry into force.
Done in a single original in the English language.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.
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- For Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Ms. Bojana Kondić Panić, Permanent Delegate of Bosnia and Herzegovina to UNESCO, signed at UNESCO Headquaters in Paris, on 25 January 2024
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- For the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Ms. Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Minister of Culture and Media, signed at UNESCO Headquaters in Paris, on 25 January 2024
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- For Montenegro, H.E. Ms. Tamara Vujovic, Minister of Culture and Media, signed at UNESCO Headquaters in Paris, on 25 January 2024
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- For the Republic of North Macedonia, H.E. Ms. Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojčevska, Minister of Culture, signed in Skopje, on 22 January 2024
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- For the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Ms. Maja Gojković, Minister of Culture, signed at UNESCO Headquaters in Paris, on 25 January 2024
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- For the Republic of Slovenia, H. E. Ambassador Ms. Metka Ipavic, Permanent Delegate of Slovenia to UNESCO, signed at UNESCO Headquaters in Paris, on 25 January 2024