Republic

Belarus President signs law on ratifying CEC representation agreement

The legal preparation of conditions for the favourable operation of the representative office of the Commission of European Communities (CEC) in Belarus is coming to an end. The press service of the Belarusian head of state told BelTA, on January 6 Alexander Lukashenko signed the law “Ratification of the agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the Commission of European Communities on the establishment, privileges, and immunities of the Representative Office of the Commission of European Communities in the Republic of Belarus”. The document was passed by the parliament in December 2008. “Belarus continues consistent development of a productive and comprehensive dialogue with the European Union, taking specific steps, which shape the steady legal basis of the Belarusian-European relations,” underscored the press service of the head of state. The agreement stipulates, in particular, that Belarus agrees to the establishment of the representative office in the country and provides rights, privileges and immunities, which are outlined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 for diplomatic missions (in particular, inviolability of premises, correspondence and archives, immunity against criminal jurisdiction, tax preferences), to the representative office and its staff. With the step Belarus finalises the legal preparation of conditions for the favourable operation of the representative office of the Commission of European Communities in Belarus. It will enable a more effective dialogue about a wide range of matters regarding relations between Belarus and the European Union, explained the press service. The agreement was signed in Brussels on March 7, 2008 with a view to further strengthening and developing friendly relations and cooperation between Belarus and the European Communities. The agreement provides for establishing a representative office of the Commission of European Communities in Belarus. The European Communities are legally qualified to sign contracts, purchase and manage real estate and movable property to an extent required for effective fulfilment of their functions in line with Belarusian laws. In Belarus the representative office, its head and staff as well as their families, who live together with them, are entitled to the rights, privileges and immunities and undertake obligations the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 stipulates.

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