Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam
U K A Z
O RAZGLASITVI ZAKONA O RATIFIKACIJI SPORAZUMA MED REPUBLIKO SLOVENIJO IN REPUBLIKO UZBEKISTAN O VZAJEMNEM SPODBUJANJU IN ZAŠČITI NALOŽB (BUZVSN)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma med Republiko Slovenijo in Republiko Uzbekistan o vzajemnem spodbujanju in zaščiti naložb (BUZVSN), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 5. aprila 2004.
Št. 001-22-52/04
Ljubljana, 13. aprila 2004
Predsednik
Republike Slovenije
dr. Janez Drnovšek l. r.
Z A K O N
O RATIFIKACIJI SPORAZUMA MED REPUBLIKO SLOVENIJO IN REPUBLIKO UZBEKISTAN O VZAJEMNEM SPODBUJANJU IN ZAŠČITI NALOŽB (BUZVSN)
1. člen
Ratificira se Sporazum med Republiko Slovenijo in Republiko Uzbekistan o vzajemnem spodbujanju in zaščiti naložb, podpisan v Taškentu 7. oktobra 2003.
2. člen
Besedilo sporazuma se v izvirniku v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi:*
S P O R A Z U M
MED REPUBLIKO SLOVENIJO IN
REPUBLIKO UZBEKISTAN O VZAJEMNEM SPODBUJANJU IN ZAŠČITI NALOŽB
Republika Slovenija in Republika Uzbekistan, v nadaljevanju pogodbenici, sta se
v želji, da okrepita gospodarsko sodelovanje med državama,
z namenom, da spodbudita in ustvarita ugodne razmere za naložbe vlagateljev ene pogodbenice na ozemlju druge pogodbenice na podlagi enakopravnosti in obojestranske koristi,
ob spoznanju, da bosta vzajemno spodbujanje in zaščita naložb na podlagi tega sporazuma spodbujala poslovne pobude,
sporazumeli, kot sledi:
1. člen
Pomen izrazov
Za namen tega sporazuma:
1. Izraz "naložba" pomeni vsako vrsto premoženja, ki ga vlagatelji ene pogodbenice vložijo na ozemlju druge pogodbenice v skladu z zakoni in predpisi slednje, in vključuje zlasti, vendar ne izključno:
a) premičnine in nepremičnine kot tudi katere koli druge stvarne pravice, kot so hipoteka, zaseg, zastava in podobne pravice;
b) deleže, delnice, zadolžnice in kakršno koli drugo obliko upravičenja v družbi;
c) denarne terjatve ali zahtevke za katere koli storitve, ki imajo ekonomsko vrednost in so povezane z naložbo;
d) pravice intelektualne lastnine, ki vključujejo zlasti varstvo avtorskih in naveznih pravic, računalniške programe, patente, industrijske vzorce, blagovne in storitvene znamke, geografske označbe, vključno z označbami porekla, topografije integriranih vezij in nerazkrite informacije o know-howu;
e) koncesije, vključno s koncesijami za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje naravnih virov, ki jih z zakonom bodisi po pogodbi ali upravnem aktu podeljuje pristojni državni organ.
Kakršna koli sprememba oblike, v kateri se premoženje investira ali reinvestira, ne vpliva na njegovo naravo kot naložbo pod pogojem, da je taka sprememba v skladu z zakoni in predpisi pogodbenice, na katere ozemlju je bila naložba izvedena.
2. Izraz "dohodek" pomeni zneske, ki jih prinašajo naložbe, in vključuje zlasti, vendar ne izključno, dobiček, dividende, obresti, avtorske honorarje ali druge oblike dohodka, povezanega z naložbami, vključno s honorarji za tehnično pomoč.
3. Izraz "vlagatelj" pomeni:
a) fizične osebe, ki so državljani ene ali druge pogodbenice v skladu z njeno zakonodajo, in
b) pravne osebe, vključno s korporacijami, gospodarskimi ali drugimi družbami ali združenji, ki imajo sedež na ozemlju ene pogodbenice in so registrirana ali ustanovljena po zakonu te pogodbenice.
4. Izraz "državno ozemlje" pomeni za vsako pogodbenico ozemlje pod njeno suverenostjo, vključno z zračnim prostorom in morskimi območji, nad katerimi pogodbenica izvaja suverenost ali jurisdikcijo v skladu z notranjim in mednarodnim pravom.
2. člen
Spodbujanje in zaščita naložb
1. Vsaka pogodbenica na svojem ozemlju spodbuja in pospešuje, kolikor je mogoče, naložbe vlagateljev druge pogodbenice in sprejema take naložbe na svoje ozemlje v skladu s svojimi zakoni in predpisi.
2. Vsaka pogodbenica trajno zagotavlja naložbam vlagateljev druge pogodbenice pošteno in pravično obravnavo.
3. Naložbe vlagateljev ene ali druge pogodbenice uživajo popolno zaščito in varnost na ozemlju druge pogodbenice. Nobena pogodbenica z neupravičenimi, samovoljnimi ali diskriminacijskimi ukrepi na svojem ozemlju na noben način ne ovira vlagateljev druge pogodbenice pri upravljanju, vzdrževanju, uporabi in uživanju naložb ali razpolaganju z njimi.
4. Če pogodbenica po tem sporazumu sprejme naložbe na svoje ozemlje, v skladu s svojimi zakoni izda vsa potrebna dovoljenja, povezana s temi naložbami.
3. člen
Nacionalna obravnava in obravnava po načelu države z največjimi ugodnostmi
1. Naložbam vlagateljev ene pogodbenice na ozemlju druge pogodbenice ali z njimi povezanemu dohodku se zagotovi obravnava, ki je poštena in pravična in ni manj ugodna od tiste, ki jo ta druga pogodbenica zagotavlja naložbam in dohodku svojih vlagateljev ali vlagateljev katere koli tretje države.
2. Vlagateljem ene pogodbenice druga pogodbenica glede upravljanja, vzdrževanja, uporabe in uživanja naložb ali razpolaganja z njimi zagotavlja obravnavo, ki je poštena in pravična in ni manj ugodna od tiste, ki jo ta druga pogodbenica zagotavlja svojim vlagateljem ali vlagateljem katere koli tretje države.
3. Določbe tega člena se ne smejo razlagati tako, da obvezujejo eno pogodbenico, da podeli vlagateljem druge pogodbenice ali njihovim naložbam kakršno koli obravnavo, ugodnost ali privilegij na podlagi:
a) katerega koli obstoječega ali prihodnjega prostotrgovinskega območja, carinske unije, skupnega trga ali drugih podobnih mednarodnih sporazumov, vključno z drugimi oblikami regionalnega gospodarskega sodelovanja in mednarodnih sporazumov za lajšanje obmejne trgovine, katerih članica je ali lahko postane ena ali druga pogodbenica, in
b) katerega koli mednarodnega sporazuma, ki se v celoti ali pretežno nanaša na obdavčevanje.
4. člen
Razlastitev
1. Naložbe vlagateljev ene pogodbenice se na ozemlju druge pogodbenice ne smejo razlastiti, nacionalizirati ali se v zvezi z njimi sprejeti kakršen koli drug ukrep z enakovrednim učinkom, kot ga ima razlastitev ali nacionalizacija (v nadaljevanju "razlastitev"), razen v javnem interesu, na nediskriminacijski podlagi, v skladu z zakonitim postopkom in za takojšnje, učinkovito in ustrezno nadomestilo.
2. Nadomestilo iz prvega odstavka tega člena se izračuna na podlagi tržne vrednosti naložbe, neposredno preden je razlastitev ali nameravana razlastitev postala javno znana, kar koli je prej. Nadomestilo se izvede brez odlašanja in vključuje obresti po običajni komercialni obrestni meri ali se obračuna na podlagi LIBOR od datuma razlastitve do datuma plačila. Nadomestilo mora biti prosto prenosljivo in dejansko izplačljivo v skladu z veljavnimi deviznimi predpisi pogodbenice, na katere ozemlju je bila naložba izvedena.
3. Vlagatelj, katerega naložbe so razlaščene, ima po pravu pogodbenice, ki je naložbo razlastila, pravico zahtevati, da sodni ali drug pristojni organ te pogodbenice nemudoma pregleda njegov primer in vrednotenje njegovih naložb v skladu z načeli, določenimi v tem členu.
5. člen
Nadomestilo za izgube
Vlagateljem ene pogodbenice, pri naložbah katerih so nastale izgube zaradi vojne ali drugega oboroženega spopada, revolucije, narodne vstaje, izrednega stanja ali kakega podobnega dogodka na ozemlju druge pogodbenice, ta druga pogodbenica zagotovi glede ukrepov, ki jih sprejme v zvezi s takšnimi izgubami, vključno z nadomestilom, odškodnino ali vrnitvijo v prejšnje stanje, obravnavo, ki ni manj ugodna od tiste, ki jo ta pogodbenica zagotavlja svojim vlagateljem ali vlagateljem katere koli tretje države.
6. člen
Prenosi
1. Vsaka pogodbenica jamči vlagateljem druge pogodbenice prost prenos sredstev v zvezi z njihovimi naložbami in zlasti, vendar ne izključno:
a) začetnega kapitala in dodatnih prispevkov za vzdrževanje ali razvoj naložb;
b) dohodka, opredeljenega v drugem odstavku 1. člena tega sporazuma;
c) sredstev za odplačilo posojil, povezanih z naložbo;
d) izkupička od celotne ali delne prodaje ali likvidacije naložbe;
e) kakršnega koli nadomestila ali drugega plačila iz 4. in 5. člena tega sporazuma;
f) zaslužkov in drugih prejemkov osebja iz tujine, zaposlenega v zvezi z naložbo.
2. Prenosi iz tega člena se izvedejo brez omejitev ali odlašanja po tržnem menjalnem tečaju, ki velja na datum prenosa, in v prosto zamenljivi valuti po deviznih predpisih pogodbenice, na katere ozemlju je bila naložba izvedena.
7. člen
Subrogacija
Če pogodbenica ali agencija, ki jo ta določi, opravi plačilo svojemu vlagatelju na podlagi danega jamstva v zvezi z naložbo na ozemlju druge pogodbenice, ta druga pogodbenica prizna prenos vseh pravic in zahtevkov vlagatelja na prvo pogodbenico. Subrogirana pravica ali zahtevek ne sme biti večji od prvotne pravice ali zahtevka vlagatelja.
8. člen
Reševanje sporov med pogodbenicama
1. Spori med pogodbenicama v zvezi z razlago in uporabo tega sporazuma se, kolikor je le mogoče, rešujejo s pogajanji po diplomatski poti.
2. Če pogodbenici ne rešita spora v šestih (6) mesecih po začetku pogajanj, se spor na zahtevo ene ali druge pogodbenice predloži arbitražnemu sodišču v skladu z določbami tega člena.
3. Tako arbitražno sodišče se ustanovi za vsak posamezen primer na naslednji način. V dveh mesecih od prejema zahtevka za arbitražo imenuje vsaka pogodbenica enega člana arbitražnega sodišča. Ta dva člana nato izbereta državljana tretje države, ki je po odobritvi obeh pogodbenic imenovan za predsednika arbitražnega sodišča. Predsednik je imenovan v treh (3) mesecih od datuma, ko sta bila imenovana druga dva člana.
4. Če potrebna imenovanja niso bila opravljena v rokih, določenih v tretjem odstavku tega člena, lahko ena ali druga pogodbenica, če ni dogovorjeno drugače, zaprosi predsednika Meddržavnega sodišča, naj opravi potrebna imenovanja. Če je predsednik državljan ene ali druge pogodbenice ali če omenjene naloge ne more opraviti iz kakšnega drugega razloga, je zaprošen podpredsednik, da opravi potrebna imenovanja. Če je podpredsednik državljan ene ali druge pogodbenice ali če omenjene naloge ne more opraviti, je zaprošen po funkciji naslednji najstarejši član Meddržavnega sodišča, ki ni državljan ene ali druge pogodbenice, da opravi potrebna imenovanja.
5. Predsednik arbitražnega sodišča mora biti državljan tretje države, s katero imata pogodbenici diplomatske odnose.
6. Arbitražno sodišče odloča z večino glasov. Odločitve arbitražnega sodišča so za pogodbenici dokončne in zavezujoče. Vsaka pogodbenica krije stroške svojega člana arbitražnega sodišča in svojega zastopstva v arbitražnem postopku. Stroške predsednika in preostale stroške krijeta pogodbenici v enakih delih. Glede delitve stroškov lahko arbitražno sodišče odloči drugače. O vseh drugih zadevah arbitražno sodišče samo določi svoj poslovnik.
9. člen
Reševanje sporov med pogodbenico in vlagateljem druge pogodbenice
1. Kakršen koli spor, ki lahko nastane med pogodbenico in vlagateljem druge pogodbenice v zvezi z naložbo tega vlagatelja na ozemlju prve pogodbenice, se rešuje prijateljsko s pogajanji.
2. Če takega spora ni mogoče rešiti v šestih (6) mesecih od datuma zahteve za rešitev, lahko zadevni vlagatelj spor predloži:
a) pristojnemu sodišču pogodbenice, na katere ozemlju je bila naložba izvedena,
b) ad hoc arbitražnemu sodišču, ki se, če se stranki v sporu ne dogovorita drugače, ustanovi po Arbitražnih pravilih Komisije Združenih narodov za mednarodno trgovinsko pravo (UNCITRAL), ali
c) v spravo ali arbitražo Mednarodnemu centru za reševanje investicijskih sporov (ICSID), ustanovljenemu na podlagi Konvencije o reševanju investicijskih sporov med državami in državljani drugih držav, ki je bila dana na voljo za podpis v Washingtonu D.C. 18. marca 1965.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica soglaša s predložitvijo investicijskega spora mednarodni spravi ali arbitraži.
4. Nobena pogodbenica ne sme po diplomatski poti posredovati v kateri koli zadevi, predloženi v arbitražo, dokler se postopki ne končajo in druga pogodbenica ne upošteva odločbe, ki jo izda Mednarodni center za reševanje investicijskih sporov, ali ne ravna v skladu z njo.
5. Arbitražna odločba je dokončna in zavezujoča za stranki v sporu.
10. člen
Uporaba drugih pravil
Če bi zakonske določbe ene ali druge pogodbenice ali obstoječe ali prihodnje obveznosti med pogodbenicama po mednarodnem pravu poleg tega sporazuma vsebovale splošno ali posebno ureditev, ki bi naložbam vlagateljev druge pogodbenice zagotavljala ugodnejšo obravnavo, kot jo predvideva ta sporazum, take določbe v obsegu, kolikor so ugodnejše, prevladajo nad tem sporazumom.
11. člen
Uporaba sporazuma
Ta sporazum se uporablja za vse naložbe vlagateljev ene pogodbenice na ozemlju druge pogodbenice v skladu z njenimi zakoni in predpisi, ki so obstajale ob začetku njegove veljavnosti ali so bile izvedene po njem.
12. člen
Posvetovanja
Predstavniki pogodbenic se po potrebi posvetujejo o kateri koli zadevi, ki vpliva na izvajanje tega sporazuma. O kraju in času teh posvetovanj se na predlog ene ali druge pogodbenice dogovori po diplomatski poti.
13. člen
Začetek veljavnosti in trajanje
1. Ta sporazum začne veljati dan po prejemu zadnjega od uradnih obvestil, s katerima se pogodbenici uradno obvestita, da so dokončani njuni notranjepravni postopki.
2. Ta sporazum velja za začetno obdobje desetih (10) let in se šteje, da je podaljšan pod istimi pogoji za obdobje desetih (10) let in tako naprej, razen če najmanj dvanajst (12) mesecev pred iztekom njegove veljavnosti ena ali druga pogodbenica pisno ne obvesti druge o svoji nameri, da ga odpove.
3. Za naložbe, ki so bile izvedene pred datumom prenehanja veljavnosti tega sporazuma, veljajo določbe od 1. do 12. člena še za nadaljnje obdobje desetih (10) let od datuma prenehanja veljavnosti tega sporazuma.
V DOKAZ TEGA sta podpisana predstavnika, ki sta bila za to pravilno pooblaščena, podpisala ta sporazum.
Sestavljeno v dveh izvodih v Taškentu dne 7. oktobra 2003 v slovenskem, uzbeškem in angleškem jeziku, pri čemer so vsa besedila enako verodostojna. Pri različni razlagi prevlada angleško besedilo.
Za Republiko Slovenijo
Dimitrij Rupel l. r.
Za Republiko Uzbekistan
Sadik Safajev l. r.
A G R E E M E N T
BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
ON THE MUTUAL PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS
The Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Uzbekistan, hereinafter referred to as the “Contracting Parties”,
Desiring to intensify the economic co-operation between the two States,
Intending to encourage and create favourable conditions for investments made by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,
Recognising that the mutual promotion and protection of investments on the basis of this Agreement will stimulate business initiative,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
For the purpose of this Agreement:
1. The term “investment” shall mean every kind of asset invested by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party in accordance with the laws and regulations of the latter including, in particular, though not exclusively:
a) movable and immovable property as well as any other rights in rem, such as mortgages, liens, pledges and similar rights;
b) shares, stocks, debentures and any other form of interest in a company;
c) claims to money or to any performance having an economic value and associated with an investment;
d) intellectual property rights including in particular protection of copyright and neighbouring rights, including computer programmes, patents, industrial designs, trademarks and service marks, geographical indications, including appellations of origin, topographies of integrated circuits as well as undisclosed information on know-how;
e) concessions conferred by law, either under a contract or an administrative act, by a competent state authority including concessions for prospecting, research and exploitation of natural resources.
Any alteration of the form in which assets are invested or reinvested shall not affect their character as investments, provided that such alteration is in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Contracting Party in whose territory the investment has been made.
2. The term “returns” shall mean the amounts yielded by investments and in particular, though not exclusively, shall include profits, dividends, interests, royalties or other forms of income related to the investments including technical assistance fees.
3. The term “investor” shall mean:
a) natural persons having the nationality of either Contracting Party, in accordance with its laws, and
b) legal persons, including corporations, commercial companies or other companies or associations, which have their seat in the territory of one Contracting Party and are incorporated or constituted in accordance with the law of that Contracting Party.
4. The term "national territory" shall mean with respect to each Contracting Party the territory under its sovereignty, including air space and maritime areas, over which the Party concerned exercises its sovereignty or jurisdiction, in accordance with internal and international law.
Article 2
Promotion and Protection of Investments
1. Each Contracting Party shall promote and encourage, as far as possible, within its territory investments made by investors of the other Contracting Party and shall admit such investments into its territory in accordance with its laws and regulations.
2. Each Contracting Party shall accord at all times fair and equitable treatment to investments of investors of the other Contracting Party.
3. Investments made by investors of either Contracting Party shall enjoy full protection and security in the territory of the other Contracting Party. Neither Contracting Party shall in any way impair by unreasonable, arbitrary or discriminatory measures the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal of investments in its territory of investors of the other Contracting Party.
4. If a Contracting Party under present Agreement admits investments in its territory, it shall in accordance with its laws issue all necessary permissions, related to such investments.
Article 3
National and Most Favoured Nation Treatment
1. Investments made by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party, or returns related thereto, shall be accorded treatment which is fair and equitable and not less favourable than the latter Contracting Party accords to the investments and returns of its own investors or to investors of any third State.
2. Investors of one Contracting Party shall be accorded by the other Contracting Party, as regards the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal or their investments, treatment which is fair and equitable and not less favourable than the latter Contracting Party accords its own investors or to investors of any third State.
3. The provisions of this Article shall not be construed so as to oblige one Contracting Party to extend to the investors of the other Contracting Party the benefit of any treatment, preference or privilege by virtue of:
a) any existing or future free trade area, customs union, common market or other similar international agreements including other forms of regional economic co-operation and international agreements to facilitate frontier trade to which either of the Contracting Party is or may become a Party, and
b) any international agreement relating wholly or mainly to taxation.
Article 4
Expropriation
1. Investments made by investors of either Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party shall not be expropriated, nationalised or subject to any other measure having effect equivalent to expropriation or nationalisation (hereinafter referred to as “expropriation”) except for a public purpose, on a non-discriminatory basis, under due process of law and against prompt, effective and adequate compensation.
2. The compensation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be computed on the basis of the market value of the investment immediately before the expropriation or impending expropriation became public knowledge, whichever is earlier. The compensation shall be made without delay and shall include interest at the usual commercial rate or it is calculated on the LIBOR basis from the date of expropriation to the date of payment. Compensation shall be freely transferable and effectively realisable in accordance with foreign exchange regulations in force on the Contracting Party in whose territory the investment has been made.
3. The investor whose investments are expropriated, shall have the right under the law of expropriating Contracting Party the prompt review by a judicial or other competent authority of that Contracting Party of its case and of valuation of its investments in accordance with the principles set out in this Article.
Article 5
Compensation for Losses
Investors of one Contracting Party whose investments have suffered losses owing to war or other armed conflict, revolution, national uprising, state of emergency or any similar event in the territory of the other Contracting Party shall be accorded by the latter Contracting Party treatment, as regards measures it adopts in relation to such losses, including compensation, indemnification and restitution, no less favourable than that which the latter Contracting Party accords to its own investors or investors of any third State.
Article 6
Transfers
1. Each Contracting Party shall guarantee investors of the other Contracting Party the free transfer of funds related to their investments and in particular, though not exclusively:
a) initial capital and additional contributions for the maintenance or development of the investments;
b) returns defined in Paragraph 2, Article 1 of this Agreement;
c) funds in repayment of loans related to an investment;
d) proceeds from the sale or liquidation of all or part of an investment;
e) any compensation or other payment referred to in Articles 4 and 5 of this Agreement;
f) earnings and other remuneration of nationals engaged from abroad in connection with the investment.
2. The transfers referred to in this Article shall be made without restriction or delay at the exchange rate applicable on the date of transfer and shall be made in convertible currency according to the exchange regulations of the Contracting Party in whose territory the investment has been made.
Article 7
Subrogation
If a Contracting Party or its designated agency makes a payment to its investor under an indemnity given in respect of an investment in the territory of the other Contracting Party, the latter Contracting Party shall recognise the assignment to the first Contracting Party of all rights and claims of the investor. The subrogated right or claim shall not be greater than the original right or claim of the investor.
Article 8
Settlement of Disputes between the Contracting Parties
1. Disputes between the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation and application of this Agreement should, as far as possible, be settled by negotiations through diplomatic channels.
2. If the Contracting Parties fail to reach a settlement within six (6) months after the beginning of negotiations, the dispute shall, upon the request of either Contracting Party, be submitted to an arbitral tribunal, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
3. Such an Arbitral Tribunal shall be constituted for each individual case in the following way. Within two months of the receipt of the request for arbitration, each Contracting Party shall appoint one member of the Tribunal. Those two members shall then select a national of a third State who on approval by the two Contracting Parties shall be appointed Chairman of the Tribunal. The Chairman shall be appointed within three (3) months form the date of appointment of the other two members.
4. If within the periods specified in paragraph 3 of this Article the necessary appointments have not been made, either Contracting Party may, in the absence of any other agreement, invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make any necessary appointments. If the President is a national of either Contracting Party or is otherwise prevented from discharging the said function, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the necessary appointments. If the Vice-President is a national of either Contracting Party or is prevented from discharging the said function, the Member of the International Court of Justice next in seniority who is not a national of either Contracting Party shall be invited to make the necessary appointments.
5. The Chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal shall be a national of a third State with which both Contracting Parties maintain diplomatic relations.
6. The Arbitral Tribunal shall rule according to majority vote. The decisions of the Tribunal shall be final and binding on both Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall be responsible for the costs of its own member and of its representatives at the arbitral proceedings. Both Contracting Parties shall assume an equal share of the cost of the Chairman, as well as any other costs. The Tribunal may make a different decision regarding costs. In all other respects, the Tribunal court shall define its own rules of procedure.
Article 9
Settlement of Disputes between a Contracting Party and an Investor of the other Contracting Party
1. Any dispute which may arise between one Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party concerning an investment of that investor in the territory of the former Contracting Party shall be settled amicably through negotiations.
2. If such a dispute cannot be settled within a period of six (6) months from the date of request for settlement, the investor concerned may submit the dispute to:
a) the competent court of the Contracting Party in whose territory the investment has been made;
b) an ad-hoc tribunal which, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties to the dispute, shall be established under the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); or
c) the International Center for the Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID) through conciliation or arbitration, established under the Convention on the Settlement of Investments Disputes between States and Nationals of other States, opened for signature in Washington D.C., on March 18, 1965.
3. Each Contracting Party hereby consents to the submission of an investment dispute to international conciliation or arbitration.
4. Neither Contracting Party shall pursue through diplomatic channels any matter referred to arbitration until the proceedings have terminated and a Contracting Party has failed to abide by or to comply with the award rendered by the International Center for the Settlement of Investments Disputes.
5. The award shall be final and binding on both parties to the dispute.
Article 10
Application of other Rules
If the provisions of law of either Contracting Party or obligations under international law existing at present or established hereafter between the Contracting Parties in addition to this Agreement contain a regulation, whether general or specific, entitling investments made by investors of the other Contracting Party to a treatment more favourable than is provided for by this Agreement, such provisions shall, to the extent that they are more favourable, prevail over this Agreement.
Article 11
Application of the Agreement
This Agreement shall apply to all investments made by investors from one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party in accordance with its laws and regulations existing at or made after its entry into force.
Article 12
Consultations
Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall, whenever necessary, hold consultations on any matter affecting the implementation of this Agreement. These consultations shall be held, on the proposal of either Contracting Party, at a place and a time to be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Article 13
Entry into force and Duration
1. This Agreement shall enter into force the day after the latter written notification with which the Contracting Parties notify each other that their respective internal legal procedures have been fulfilled.
2. This Agreement shall remain in force initially for a period of ten (10) years and shall be considered as renewed on the same terms for a period of five years and so forth, unless twelve (12) months before its expiration either Contracting Party notifies the other in writing of its intention to terminate the Agreement.
3. In respect of investment made prior to the date of termination of this Agreement the provisions of Articles 1 to 12 shall remain in force for a further period of ten (10) years from the date of termination of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned representatives, duly authorised thereto, have signed the present Agreement.
Done in duplicate at Tashkent on October 7th, 2003 in the Slovene, Uzbek and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Republic of Slovenia
Dimitrij Rupel, (s)
For the Republic of Uzbekistan
Sadik Safajev, (s)
3. člen
Za izvajanje sporazuma skrbi Ministrstvo za gospodarstvo.
4. člen
Ta zakon začne veljati petnajsti dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.
Št. 410-01/04-40/1
Ljubljana, dne 5. aprila 2004
EPA 1174-III
Predsednik
Državnega zbora
Republike Slovenije
Borut Pahor l. r.
* Besedilo sporazuma v uzbeškem jeziku je na vpogled v Sektorju za mednarodnopravne zadeve Ministrstva za zunanje zadeve.