Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam

Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Združenega kraljestva Velika Britanija in Severna Irska o ustanovitvi in dejavnostih kulturnih centrov (BGBKC), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 15. februarja 2002.

Ljubljana, 25. februarja 2002

Ratificira se Sporazum med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Združenega kraljestva Velika Britanija in Severna Irska o ustanovitvi in dejavnostih kulturnih centrov, podpisan v Ljubljani 18. decembra 2000.

Sporazum se v izvirniku v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi:

Vlada Republike Slovenije in Vlada Združenega kraljestva Velika Britanija in Severna Irska (v nadaljnjem besedilu “pogodbenici“) sta se
ob priznavanju vzajemnega interesa narodov obeh držav za boljše poznavanje humanističnih vrednot in kulture druge države,
v skladu s Sporazumom med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Združenega kraljestva Velika Britanija in Severna Irska o sodelovanju v izobraževanju, kulturi in znanosti z dne 22. aprila 1993 (v nadaljnjem besedilu kulturni sporazum)
sporazumeli, kot sledi:

(1) Pogodbenica lahko na ozemlju druge pogodbenice ustanovi kulturne in informacijske centre (v nadaljnjem besedilu “kulturni centri“).
(2) Kulturni centri se lahko ustanovijo v glavnem mestu države pogodbenice ali drugje v državi z dovoljenjem pogodbenice sprejemnice.

(1) Kulturni centri pomagajo pri izvajanju kulturnega sporazuma, pa tudi pri izvajanju drugih pomembnih programov sodelovanja.
(2) Cilj dejavnosti kulturnih centrov je pospeševanje razvoja odnosov med državama z izmenjavo informacij in znanja ter njihovim neposrednim razširjanjem v javnosti, zlasti na jezikovnem področju ter na področju književnosti, kulture in umetnosti, izobraževanja, znanosti in tehnologije, občil in komunikacij.

(1) Delo britanskih kulturnih centrov bo v Republiki Sloveniji vodil Britanski svet, ki ga je vlada njenega veličanstva imenovala za predstavnika za kulturno dejavnost v Republiki Sloveniji. Delo slovenskih kulturnih centrov v Združenem kraljestvu Velika Britanija in Severna Irska bo vodila Vlada Republike Slovenije.
(2) Britanski kulturni centri se bodo imenovali The British Council (Britanski svet), slovenski pa Slovenski kulturni center. Ti nazivi se lahko uporabljajo na tablah z napisom, pri dopisovanju in na dokumentih za obveščanje in oglaševanje.
(3) Pogodbenici v skladu z zakoni in predpisi, veljavnimi na njunih ozemljih, sprejmeta vse ustrezne ukrepe za zagotovitev normalnega delovanja kulturnih centrov v drugi pogodbenici.

(1) Pogodbenici jamčita javnosti prost in neoviran vstop v prostore kulturnih centrov in dostop do dejavnosti, če te potekajo drugje. Pogodbenici zagotavljata, da lahko kulturni centri oglašujejo svoje dejavnosti z vsemi razpoložljivimi sredstvi.
(2) Centri lahko sodelujejo in vzdržujejo neposredne stike s pristojnimi ministrstvi in drugimi javnimi organi, krajevnimi organi, nevladnimi organizacijami, poklicnimi združenji in zasebnimi organizacijami, posamezniki in skupinami.

(1) Dejavnosti kulturnih centrov lahko v njihovih prostorih in drugje vključujejo:
(a) širjenje informacij, kot je določeno v 2. členu tega sporazuma;
(b) organiziranje obiskov in prireditev na področju kulture, izobraževanja in usposabljanja ter znanosti in tehnologije;
(c) organiziranje konferenc, kolokvijev in drugih srečanj;
(d) odrske postavitve umetniških uprizoritev, koncerte in razstave;
(e) prikazovanje filmov in avdiovizualnega gradiva;
(f) sprejemanje oseb, ki se ukvarjajo z izobraževanjem in usposabljanjem, kulturo, znanostjo in tehnologijo, tako da se lahko udeležujejo dejavnosti, ki jih organizirajo kulturni centri;
(g) zagotavljanje knjižnic, čitalnic in centrov z multimedijskimi viri; posojanje knjig, časopisov, revij ter avdiovizualnega in drugega gradiva kulturne, izobraževalne, znanstvene ali tehnološke narave;
(h) objavljanje in razpošiljanje informacijskih biltenov, katalogov in drugega gradiva kulturne, izobraževalne, znanstvene ali tehnološke narave;
(i) organiziranje tečajev, izpitov in seminarjev; dajanje strokovnih mnenj in učnega gradiva ustanovam in posameznikom; sodelovanje pri gradivu za učenje in učne metode;
(j) vodenje dvostranskih in večstranskih projektov in sodelovanje pri njih v skladu s cilji tega sporazuma;
(k) organiziranje srečanj in drugih dejavnosti za otroke in mladino.
(2) V skladu s cilji tega sporazuma lahko kulturni centri organizirajo druge prireditve in dejavnosti ali pri njih sodelujejo.

(1) Kulturni centri opravljajo svoje dejavnosti v skladu z zakoni in predpisi države sprejemnice.
(2) Kulturni centri so pravne osebe po zakonih in predpisih države sprejemnice.

(1) Kulturni centri lahko organizirajo prireditve in dejavnosti zunaj svojih lastnih prostorov.

(1) Kulturni centri so neprofitne organizacije. Kljub temu lahko centri zaračunajo za vsako dejavnost, navedeno v 5. členu tega sporazuma, ter tako krijejo nekatere ali vse stroške vzdrževanja in delovanja. Kulturni centri lahko:
(a) zaračunajo obiskovalcem vstopnino za svoje prireditve, dejavnosti ali razstave;
(b) zaračunajo tečaje, izpite ali druge storitve v zvezi s tem;
(c) zaračunajo za uporabo knjižnic in izposojo oziroma prodajo multimedijskega ali drugega gradiva v zvezi s svojimi dejavnostmi;
(d) prodajajo kataloge, plakate, programe, knjige, zgoščenke in učne pripomočke, ki so neposredno povezani s prireditvami in dejavnostmi, ki jih organizirajo;
(e) odprejo interno restavracijo za obiskovalce centra.
(2) Razstavni predmeti razstav, ki jih organizirajo kulturni centri v svojih prostorih ali kjer koli, so lahko naprodaj, s tem da se plačajo vsi davki ali carinske dajatve po zakonih in predpisih države sprejemnice.

Pogodbenica pomaga drugi pogodbenici pri iskanju primernih prostorov ali krajev za kulturne centre.

(1) Pogodbenica v skladu z zakoni in predpisi, veljavnimi na njenem ozemlju, olajša drugi pogodbenici uvoz opreme, potrebne za vzpostavitev in opremo kulturnih centrov, ter opravlja dejavnosti po določbah tega sporazuma.
(2) Pogodbenici si bosta v skladu z zakoni in predpisi, veljavnimi v državi sprejemnici, prizadevali za oprostitev plačila carinskih dajatev, uvoznih dajatev in vseh drugih davkov za uvožene predmete, namenjene za začasno ali stalno uporabo centrov, ne pa za prodajo v državi sprejemnici.

(1) Pogodbenica določi osebje v svojem kulturnem centru. Če so zaposleni državljani države sprejemnice ali imajo stalno prebivališče v tej državi, se zaposlovanje ureja v skladu z zakoni in predpisi, veljavnimi v državi sprejemnici.
(2) Direktor kulturnega centra v glavnem mestu države sprejemnice, ki je državljan države pošiljateljice, je član diplomatskega predstavništva države pošiljateljice.
(3) Pogodbenica obvesti drugo pogodbenico, ko imenuje za delo v kulturnem centru osebje, ki ni iz države sprejemnice, ter drugo pogodbenico vedno obvesti, kadar koli to osebje začne opravljati delo ali ga konča.

Člani osebja kulturnih centrov, ki niso državljani države sprejemnice niti nimajo v njej stalnega prebivališča, ter njihovi družinski člani, ki živijo z njimi in jih pristojni organi države sprejemnice priznavajo za vzdrževane družinske člane ter niso državljani države sprejemnice niti nimajo v njej stalnega prebivališča, ne spadajo pod zakonodajo zaposlovanja v državi sprejemnici in niso del dogovorov o socialnem zavarovanju v državi sprejemnici.

(1) Pogodbenici omogočata čim hitrejše reševanje vlog za opravljanje carinskih formalnosti ter za prošnje za delovna dovoljenja in dovoljenja za bivanje, če se zahtevajo za člane osebja kulturnih centrov države pošiljateljice in za njihove družinske člane, ki živijo z njimi.
(2) Pogodbenici omogočata čim hitrejše reševanje vlog za opravljanje carinskih formalnosti za sodelujoče v programih ali na prireditvah, določenih v 5. členu tega sporazuma.
(3) Člani osebja centrov, ki ne uživajo diplomatskega statusa in ki niso državljani države sprejemnice, niti nimajo stalnega prebivališča v njej, ter njihovi družinski člani, ki živijo z njimi in jih pristojni organi države sprejemnice priznavajo za vzdrževane družinske člane ter niso državljani države sprejemnice niti nimajo v njej stalnega prebivališča, so v prvih dvanajstih mesecih po prihodu upravičeni do oprostitve plačila uvoznih in davčnih dajatev pri uvozu gospodinjskih predmetov in predmetov za osebno rabo, vključno z enim prevoznim sredstvom za osebne potrebe.

Vprašanja, povezana z izvajanjem, razlago in uporabo tega sporazuma, se rešujejo, če je potrebno, po diplomatski poti, razen če je to drugače določeno v tem sporazumu.

(1) Ta sporazum začne veljati na dan prejema zadnjega uradnega obvestila, s katerim se pogodbenici medsebojno po diplomatski poti obvestita o izpolnitvi vseh potrebnih notranjepravnih postopkov.
(2) Ta sporazum ostane veljaven pet let in velja do izteka dvanajstih mesecev od dneva, ko ena pogodbenica po diplomatski poti drugi pogodbenici pošlje pisno obvestilo o prenehanju.
Da bi to potrdila, sta podpisana, ki sta ju za to pravilno pooblastili njuni vladi, podpisala ta sporazum.
Sestavljeno v dveh izvirnikih v Ljubljani dne 18. decembra 2000 v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku, pri čemer sta obe besedili enako verodostojni.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”);
Recognising the mutual interest of the peoples of each country in becoming better acquainted with the human values and culture of the other;
In accordance with the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Co-operation in the Fields of Education, Culture and Science of 22 April 1993 (hereinafter referred to as the Cultural Agreement)
Have agreed as follows:

(1) Each Party may establish on the territory of the other Party cultural and information centre (hereinafter referred to as “Cultural Centres”).
(2) Cultural Centres may be established in the capital of both countries and, with the agreement of the receiving party, in other locations within that country.

(1) The Cultural Centres shall assist in implementing the Cultural Agreement as well as other relevant programmes of co-operation.
(2) The activities of the Cultural Centres shall have the objective of fostering the development of relations between the two countries through the exchange and dissemination directly to the public of information and knowledge, particularly in the fields of language and literature, culture and the arts, education, science and technology, the media and communications.

(1) The work of the British Cultural Centres in the Republic of Slovenia shall be conducted by the British Council as the designated agent of Her Majesty’s Government for cultural activity in the Republic of Slovenia. The work of the Slovenian Cultural Centres in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland shall be conducted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
(2) The British Cultural centres shall be designated “The British Council” and the Slovenian Cultural Centres shall be designated “Slovenian Cultural Centre”. These titles may be used on notice-boards, in correspondence, and on information and publicity material.
(3) Each Party shall, subject to the laws and regulations in force in its territory, take all appropriate measures to ensure the normal functioning of the Cultural Centres of the other Contracting Party.

(1) The Contracting Parties shall guarantee free and unhindered public access to the Cultural Centres’ premises and to their activities where these are carried out elsewhere. They shall ensure that the Cultural Centres are able to publicise their activities by all available means.
(2) The Centres may enter into and maintain direct contacts with the relevant ministries and other public bodies, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, professional associations, and private organisations, individuals and groups.

(1) The activities of the Cultural Centres, on their own premises and elsewhere, may include:
(a) disseminating information as provided for under Article 2 of this Agreement;
(b) organising visits and events in the fields of culture, education and training, and science and technology;
(c) organising conferences, colloquia, and other meetings;
(d) staging artistic performances, concerts and exhibitions;
(e) showing films and audio-visual material;
(f) receiving people involved in education and training, culture, science and technology to participate in activities organised by the Cultural Centres;
(g) providing libraries, reading rooms and multi-media resource centres; and loaning books, newspapers, journals, audio-visual and other materials of a cultural, educational, scientific or technological nature;
(h) publishing and distributing information bulletins, catalogues, and other materials of a cultural, educational, scientific or technological nature;
(i) organising courses, examinations and seminars; providing professional expertise and teaching materials to institutions and individuals, and co-operating to produce materials relating to teaching and teaching methods;
(j) managing and participating in the implementation of bilateral and multilateral projects in accordance with the aims of this Agreement;
(k) arranging meetings and other activities for children and young people;
(2) In accordance with the aims of this Agreement the Cultural Centres may also organise or participate in other events and activities.

(1) The Cultural Centres shall undertake their activities in accordance with the laws and regulations of the receiving state.
(2) The Cultural Centres may enjoy legal personality and capacity under the laws and regulations of the receiving state.

The Cultural Centres may organise events and activities outside their own premises.

(1) The Cultural Centres shall be non-profit-making organisations. Notwithstanding this, the Centres may charge for all or any of the activities listed in Article 5 of this Agreement in order to cover some or all of the costs of their upkeep and operations. For example, the Cultural Centres may:
(a) charge visitors to their events, activities or exhibitions;
(b) charge for courses, examinations, or other related services;
(c) charge for the use of libraries and the loan or sale of multi-media or other materials relevant to their activities;
(d) sell catalogues, posters, programmes, books, records and teaching aids directly linked to the events and activities they organise;
(e) run cafeterias for visitors to the Centres.
(2) Exhibits from exhibitions organised by the Cultural Centres on their premises or at any other location may be offered for sale subject to the payment of any taxes or customs duties as may be payable under the laws and regulations of the receiving state.

Each Party shall assist the other in finding suitable premises or sites for the Cultural Centres.

(1) Each Party shall, subject to the laws and regulations in force in its territory, afford the other party every facility for the importation of material required to set up and equip the Cultural Centres, and to carry out their activities under the provisions of this Agreement.
(2) Subject to the laws and regulations in force in the receiving state, the Parties will seek to exempt the Cultural Centres from the payment of customs duties, import duties and all other taxes imposed on the import or export of items to satisfy the temporary or permanent needs of the Centres and not intended for sale in the receiving state.

(1) Each Party shall appoint the staff of its own Cultural Centres. In the case of staff who are nationals of or permanently resident in the receiving country, employment shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in the receiving state.
(2) The Director of the Cultural Centre in the capital of the receiving state, if he/she is a national of the sending state, shall be a member of the diplomatic mission of the sending state.
(3) Each Party shall inform the other when expatriate staff have been assigned to a Cultural Centre and shall also inform the other whenever such staff take up post or terminate their duties.

Members of the staff of the Cultural Centres who are neither nationals of nor permanently resident in the receiving state, and members of their families living with them who are recognised as dependants by the relevant authorities of the receiving state and who are neither nationals of nor permanently resident in the receiving state, shall not be subject to the employment legislation or participate in the social security arrangements of the receiving state.

(1) Each Party shall facilitate prompt consideration of applications for entry clearance, and applications for work permits and residence permits where required, for members of staff of the Cultural Centres of the other Party and dependant members of their families living with them.
(2) The parties shall facilitate prompt consideration of applications for entry clearance for participants in programmes or events provided for in Article 5 of this Agreement.
(3) Members of the staff of the Centres who do not enjoy diplomatic status and who are neither nationals of nor permanently resident in the receiving state, and members of their families living with them who are recognised as dependants by the relevant authorities of the receiving state and who are neither nationals of nor permanently resident in the receiving state, are eligible to exemption from import duties and taxes in respect of the importation within the first twelve months of arrival of household items and their personal effects, including one vehicle for their personal needs.

Questions concerning the implementation, interpretation and application of this Agreement shall, where necessary, be resolved through the diplomatic channel except where otherwise provided for in this Agreement.

(1) This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the receipt of the latter of the notifications by which the Contracting Parties notify each other through the diplomatic channel that all internal legal procedures have been fulfilled.
(2) This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five years and thereafter shall remain in force until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which either Party shall have given written notice to the other through the diplomatic channel.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done in duplicate at Ljubljana this 18th day of December 2000 in the Slovenian and English languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Za izvajanje tega sporazuma skrbijo Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve, Ministrstvo za kulturo in Ministrstvo za šolstvo, znanost in šport.

Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.