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 Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Ruske federacije o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah (BRUPCZ)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Ruske federacije o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah (BRUPCZ), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 22. junija 2007.
Št. 001-22-88/07
Ljubljana, dne 2. julija 2007
dr. Janez Drnovšek l.r.
Predsednik
Republike Slovenije
Z A K O N
O RATIFIKACIJI SPORAZUMA MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN VLADO RUSKE FEDERACIJE O SODELOVANJU IN MEDSEBOJNI POMOČI PRI CARINSKIH ZADEVAH (BRUPCZ)
1. člen
Ratificira se Sporazum med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Ruske federacije o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah, podpisan 31. maja 2006 v Moskvi.
2. člen
Sporazum se v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi(1):
S P O R A Z U M
MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN VLADO RUSKE FEDERACIJE O SODELOVANJU IN MEDSEBOJNI POMOČI PRI CARINSKIH ZADEVAH
Vlada Republike Slovenije in Vlada Ruske federacije, v nadaljevanju »pogodbenici«, sta se
glede na to, da je kršenje carinske zakonodaje škodljivo za gospodarske, davčne in trgovinske interese njunih držav,
glede na pomembnost zagotavljanja pravilne odmere carinskih dajatev in davkov na uvoz in izvoz blaga kot tudi natančnega določanja vrednosti in porekla takega blaga ter pravilnega izvajanja določb o prepovedih, omejitvah in nadzoru,
ker priznavata potrebo po mednarodnem sodelovanju pri zadevah, ki se nanašajo na izvajanje in uveljavljanje carinske zakonodaje,
ker sta prepričani, da je mogoče s sodelovanjem med njunima carinskima organoma povečati učinkovitost ukrepanja proti carinskim prekrškom,
glede na to, da nedovoljen promet z mamili in psihotropnimi snovmi ogroža zdravje ljudi in družbo,
ob upoštevanju določb Konvencije Združenih narodov proti prepovedani trgovini z mamili in psihotropnimi substancami z dne 20. decembra 1988,
ob upoštevanju Priporočila Sveta za carinsko sodelovanje o medsebojni upravni pomoči z dne 5. decembra 1953
dogovorili:
1. člen
Pomen izrazov
V tem sporazumu:
a) »carinska zakonodaja« pomeni zakone in predpise, ki jih uveljavljata carinska organa pri uvozu, izvozu in tranzitu blaga in se nanašajo na carinske dajatve, davke in druge dajatve ali ukrepe prepovedi, omejitev in nadzora pri pretoku blaga čez državne meje;
b) »carinske dajatve« pomenijo vse carine, davke, pristojbine in druge dajatve, ki jih carinska organa odmerjata in pobirata na ozemljih svojih držav v skladu z notranjo zakonodajo držav pogodbenic;
c) »organ prosilec« pomeni carinski organ, ki zaprosi za pomoč na podlagi tega sporazuma ali prejme tako pomoč;
d) »zaprošeni organ« pomeni carinski organ, ki prejme zaprosilo za pomoč na podlagi tega sporazuma ali da tako pomoč;
e) »kršitev« pomeni vsako kršitev carinske zakonodaje in vsak poskus njene kršitve;
f) »osebni podatki« pomenijo vse podatke, ki se nanašajo na določenega ali določljivega posameznika;
g) »carinski organ« pomeni v Republiki Sloveniji Ministrstvo za finance – Carinsko upravo Republike Slovenije in v Ruski federaciji Zvezno carinsko službo (ZCS Rusije).
2. člen
Področje uporabe sporazuma
1. Pogodbenici si prek carinskih organov na način in pod pogoji, navedenimi v tem sporazumu, pomagata pri zagotavljanju pravilne uporabe carinske zakonodaje, še zlasti s preprečevanjem, odkrivanjem in preiskovanjem kršitev te zakonodaje.
2. Pomoč po tem sporazumu, se zagotavlja v skladu z zakonodajo države zaprošene pogodbenice.
3. Sporazum je namenjen medsebojni upravni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah med pogodbenicama.
4. Nobene določbe tega sporazuma ni mogoče razlagati tako, da bi omejevala medsebojno pomoč po drugih sporazumih, ki že veljajo med pogodbenicama.
3. člen
Primeri sodelovanja in medsebojne pomoči
1. Carinska organa na zaprosilo ali na lastno pobudo v skladu z določbami tega sporazuma drug drugemu pošljeta vse potrebne podatke, ki jima omogočajo, da zagotovita pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, med drugim tudi podatke o gibanju blaga, njegovi vrednosti, poreklu in uvrstitvi v carinsko tarifo, ter podatke o storjenih ali načrtovanih dejanjih, ki kršijo ali bi lahko kršila to zakonodajo.
2. Zaprošeni organ na lastno pobudo ali na zaprosilo pošlje organu prosilcu naslednje informacije:
a) ali je bilo blago, uvoženo na ozemlje države ene pogodbenice, zakonito izvoženo z ozemlja države druge pogodbenice,
b) ali je bilo blago, izvoženo z ozemlja države ene pogodbenice, zakonito uvoženo na ozemlje države druge pogodbenice.
3. Na zaprosilo organa prosilca zaprošeni organ sprejme potrebne ukrepe za zagotovitev nadzora nad:
a) fizičnimi ali pravnimi osebami, za katere se utemeljeno domneva, da kršijo ali so kršile carinsko zakonodajo na ozemlju države organa prosilca;
b) kraji, kjer se blago skladišči na način, zaradi katerega se utemeljeno sumi, da je namenjeno nedovoljenemu uvozu na ozemlje države organa prosilca;
c) gibanjem blaga, za katero organ prosilec sporoči, da bi lahko povzročilo bistvene kršitve carinske zakonodaje na ozemlju države organa prosilca;
d) prevoznimi sredstvi, za katera se utemeljeno domneva, da so bila, so ali bi lahko bila uporabljena pri kršenju carinske zakonodaje na ozemlju države organa prosilca.
4. člen
Pomoč na lastno pobudo
Carinska organa si v okviru svojih pristojnosti pomagata, če menita, da je to potrebno za pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, še posebej kadar prejmeta informacije, ki se nanašajo na:
– dejanja, s katerimi je bila, je ali bi lahko bila kršena ta zakonodaja in ki bi lahko zanimala drugo pogodbenico;
– nova sredstva ali načine, uporabljene pri kršenju carinske zakonodaje;
– blago, za katero se ve, da v zvezi z njim prihaja do bistvenih kršitev carinske zakonodaje na ozemlju države druge pogodbenice;
– osebe, za katere se ve ali sumi, da kršijo zakonodajo, ki velja na ozemlju države druge pogodbenice;
– prevozna sredstva, vključno z zabojniki, za katera se ve ali sumi, da so bila, so ali bi lahko bila uporabljena pri kršenju carinske zakonodaje, ki velja na ozemlju države druge pogodbenice;
– kraje, ki se uporabljajo za skladiščenje blaga, kar bi lahko povzročilo večji nedovoljen promet na ozemlje države druge pogodbenice.
5. člen
Strokovna pomoč
1. Pomoč, predvidena po tem sporazumu, med drugim obsega izmenjavo izkušenj in informacij o:
a) ukrepih, ki bi se lahko uporabili pri preprečevanju kršitev;
b) novih načinih kršitev;
c) opažanjih in ugotovitvah, ki izhajajo iz uspešne uporabe novih pripomočkov in tehnik za ukrepanje;
d) novih tehnikah in izboljšanih načinih obravnave potnikov in tovora.
2. Carinska organa pogodbenic si, če to ni v nasprotju z njuno notranjo zakonodajo, prav tako prizadevata sodelovati pri:
a) uvajanju, razvijanju ali izboljševanju posebnih programov usposabljanja za svoje osebje;
b) vzpostavljanju in vzdrževanju poti za medsebojno komuniciranje, da bi olajšala varno in hitro izmenjavo podatkov;
c) pospeševanju učinkovitega medsebojnega usklajevanja, vključno z izmenjavo osebja, izvedencev in imenovanjem uradnikov za zvezo;
d) pregledovanju in preizkušanju nove opreme ali postopkov.
6. člen
Oblika in vsebina zaprosil za pomoč
1. Zaprosila po tem sporazumu morajo biti pisna. Zaprosilu morajo biti priloženi dokumenti, potrebni za njegovo obravnavo. Kadar je nujno hitro ukrepanje, se lahko sprejme ustno zaprosilo, ki pa ga je treba takoj pisno potrditi.
2. Zaprosila iz prvega odstavka tega člena vsebujejo podatke:
a) o organu prosilcu, ki vlaga zaprosilo,
b) zaprošenem ukrepu,
c) predmetu zaprosila in razlogih zanj,
d) zakonih, predpisih in drugih pravnih elementih v zvezi s tem,
e) kolikor je mogoče natančne in celovite navedbe o fizičnih ali pravnih osebah, na katere se zaprosilo nanaša,
f) povzetek pomembnih dejstev.
3. Zaprosilo je treba predložiti v uradnem jeziku države zaprošenega organa, angleškem jeziku ali jeziku, ki je sprejemljiv za ta organ.
4. Če zaprosilo ne ustreza formalnim zahtevam, je mogoče zahtevati njegov popravek ali dopolnitev; seveda pa se lahko odredijo previdnostni ukrepi.
7. člen
Obravnava zaprosil
1. Zaprošeni organ sprejme vse razumne ukrepe za obravnavo zaprosila in po potrebi skuša zagotoviti vse uradne ali sodne ukrepe, potrebne za izpolnitev zaprosila.
2. Carinski organ ene pogodbenice na zaprosilo carinskega organa druge pogodbenice opravi vse potrebne preiskave o dejavnostih, ki so ali se zdijo v nasprotju s carinsko zakonodajo, ki velja na ozemlju države organa prosilca.
3. Če zaprošeni carinski organ ni pristojen za obravnavanje zaprosila, ga nemudoma pošlje pristojnemu organu, ki v zvezi z njim ukrepa v skladu s svojimi pooblastili po zakonodaji svoje države, ali pa organu prosilcu svetuje ustrezen postopek za obravnavo takega zaprosila.
8. člen
Ukrepi proti nedovoljenemu prometu z občutljivim blagom
Carinska organa si na lastno pobudo ali na zaprosilo nemudoma pošljeta vse pomembne informacije o dejanjih, odkritih ali načrtovanih, ki kršijo ali bi lahko kršila veljavno carinsko zakonodajo na ozemlju države ene od pogodbenic o:
a) prometu z orožjem, strelivom, razstrelivom in eksplozivnimi napravami;
b) prometu z umetninami in starinami, ki so za eno od pogodbenic posebne zgodovinske, kulturne ali arheološke vrednosti;
c) prometu s strupenim blagom ter snovmi, ki ogrožajo okolje in zdravje ljudi;
d) prometu z blagom, za katero se plačujejo visoke carinske dajatve ali davki;
e) prometu z občutljivim in strateškim blagom, za katero veljajo netarifne omejitve, v skladu s seznami, o katerih se dogovorita carinska organa.
9. člen
Oblika sporočanja informacij
1. Zaprošeni organ sporoči izid poizvedb organu prosilcu v obliki dokumentov, overjenih kopij dokumentov, poročil in podobnega, po potrebi pa tudi ustno.
2. Dokumente iz prvega odstavka lahko nadomestijo računalniški podatki, izdelani v kakršni koli obliki z enakim namenom; hkrati je treba dostaviti vse informacije, potrebne za razlago ali uporabo takih računalniških podatkov.
10. člen
Izjeme pri obveznosti dajanja pomoči
1. Kadar zaprošeni organ meni, da bi bili z izpolnitvijo zaprosila prizadeti suverenost, varnost, javni red ali drugi bistveni interesi njegove države ali da bi bila kršena industrijska, poslovna ali poklicna skrivnost, lahko pomoč odreče ali jo da le ob izpolnitvi določenih pogojev ali zahtev.
2. Kadar organ prosilec prosi za pomoč, ki je sam ne bi mogel zagotoviti, če bi bil zanjo zaprošen, mora v svojem zaprosilu na to opozoriti. Zaprošeni organ se mora potem odločiti, kako bo odgovoril na tako zaprosilo.
3. Če se pomoč zadrži ali zavrne, je treba to odločitev in razloge zanjo nemudoma sporočiti organu prosilcu.
11. člen
Obveznost spoštovanja zaupnosti
1. Carinska organa zagotavljata zaupnost vseh podatkov, ki sta jih kot take opredelila v skladu z notranjo zakonodajo svojih držav. Carinski organ prejemnik zagotavlja podatkom in dokumentom enako zaščito, kot jo takim podatkom in dokumentom daje zakonodaja njegove države.
2. Dajanje osebnih podatkov ureja priloga k temu sporazumu.
12. člen
Uporaba informacij
1. Podatke, dokumente in druga sporočila, prejeta pri medsebojni pomoči, je mogoče uporabiti le za namene, ki so določeni v tem sporazumu, ter v sodnih in upravnih postopkih.
2. Organ prosilec ne sme brez predhodnega pisnega soglasja zaprošenega organa uporabljati dokazov ali podatkov, pridobljenih po tem sporazumu, za drugačne namene, kot so navedeni v zaprosilu.
3. Določbe prvega in drugega odstavka tega člena ne veljajo za informacije v zvezi s kršitvami, ki se nanašajo na mamila in psihotropne snovi. Take podatke lahko carinski organ prosilec sporoči pristojnim organom svoje države, ki so neposredno vključeni v boj proti nedovoljenemu prometu z drogami.
13. člen
Spisi, dokumenti, priče in izvedenci
1. Izvirnike spisov in dokumentov je mogoče zahtevati le, kadar kopije ne bi zadostovale. Na zahtevo se kopije takih spisov, dokumentov in drugega gradiva ustrezno overijo.
2. Izvirnike spisov in dokumentov, ki so bili poslani organu prosilcu, je treba čim prej vrniti. To ne vpliva na pravice zaprošenega organa ali tretjih oseb, ki so s tem povezane. Na zahtevo je treba izvirnike, potrebne za sodne in upravne postopke, nemudoma vrniti.
3. Na zaprosilo organa prosilca zaprošeni organ lahko pooblasti svoje uslužbence, če ti na to pristanejo, da nastopijo kot priče ali izvedenci v sodnih ali upravnih postopkih na ozemlju države organa prosilca in predložijo spise in dokumente ali njihove overjene kopije, za katere se meni, da so potrebni za postopek. V takem zaprosilu se navedejo čas, kraj in vrsta postopka ter v kakšni funkciji bo uslužbenec pričal.
4. Kadar so uradne osebe enega carinskega organa v okoliščinah, določenih s tem sporazumom, na ozemlju države druge pogodbenice, morajo biti kadar koli sposobne predložiti dokazila o svoji uradni funkciji. Ne smejo nositi niti uniforme niti orožja.
14. člen
Stroški
1. Carinska organa pogodbenic se odpovesta vsem zahtevkom za povračilo stroškov, nastalih pri izvajanju tega sporazuma, razen stroškov za priče, honorarjev izvedencev in stroškov za tolmače, ki niso državni uslužbenci; te stroške krije carinski organ prosilec.
2. Če so ali bodo za izpolnitev zaprosila potrebni večji in izredni stroški, se carinska organa posvetujeta, da določita pogoje, pod katerimi se zaprosilo izpolni, in način kritja stroškov.
15. člen
Izvajanje
1. Za izvajanje tega sporazuma sta pooblaščena carinska organa. Odločata o vseh praktičnih ukrepih in dogovorih, potrebnih za njegovo uporabo.
2. Carinska organa se lahko dogovorita, da bodo njune preiskovalne službe med seboj v neposrednih stikih.
3. Carinska organa se redno ali na zahtevo enega carinskega organa posvetujeta o sodelovanju in pomoči po tem sporazumu.
16. člen
Območje uporabe
Sporazum se uporablja na carinskih območjih držav pogodbenic, opredeljenih v skladu z notranjo zakonodajo držav pogodbenic.
17. člen
Začetek in prenehanje veljavnosti
1. Sporazum začne veljati trideseti dan po zadnjem pisnem uradnem obvestilu, da so bili končani vsi notranjepravni postopki, potrebni za začetek njegove veljavnosti.
2. Z začetkom veljavnosti tega sporazuma v odnosih med Republiko Slovenijo in Rusko federacijo preneha veljati Sporazum med Vlado Socialistične federativne republike Jugoslavije in Vlado Zveze sovjetskih socialističnih republik o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči v carinskih zadevah, podpisan v Beogradu 14. septembra 1977.
3. Sporazum je sklenjen za nedoločen čas in velja še šest mesecev po datumu, ko pogodbenica prejme od druge pogodbenice pisno uradno obvestilo, da namerava odpovedati ta sporazum.
4. Sporazum se lahko spremeni s soglasjem pogodbenic, dogovorjene spremembe pa začnejo veljati skladno s postopkom, določenim v prvem odstavku tega člena.
V POTRDITEV TEGA sta podpisana, ki sta ju pravilno pooblastili njuni vladi, podpisala ta sporazum.
Sklenjeno v Moskvi dne 31. maja 2006 v dveh izvirnikih v slovenskem, ruskem in angleškem jeziku, pri čemer so vsa besedila enako verodostojna. Pri razlikah v razlagi prevlada angleško besedilo.
Za Vlado
Republike Slovenije
Dimitrij Rupel l.r.
Za Vlado
Ruske federacije
Andrej Beljaninov l.r.
PRILOGA
k Sporazumu med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Ruske federacije o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah
Določbe, ki veljajo za carinska organa pogodbenic pri posredovanju osebnih podatkov
1. Carinska organa lahko prejete osebne podatke uporabita samo za namene in pod pogoji, ki jih določi carinski organ, ki jih pošlje. Ti podatki se lahko pošljejo drugim organom samo s predhodnim soglasjem carinskega organa, ki jih pošlje.
2. Na zahtevo carinskega organa, ki pošlje podatke, drugi carinski organ prevzame odgovornost za njihovo uporabo in poroča o rezultatih uporabe.
3. Carinski organ, ki pošlje podatke, preveri njihovo točnost. Če so podatki netočni ali zaupni, to nemudoma sporoči carinskemu organu prosilcu. Carinski organ prosilec popravi podatke ali jih na zahtevo uniči.
4. Carinska organa vodita evidenco o pošiljanju in prejemu osebnih podatkov.
5. Carinska organa varujeta prejete podatke pred nepooblaščenim dostopom, spremembami, ki jih ni dovolil carinski organ, ki je poslal podatke, ter pred nepooblaščenim nadaljnjim posredovanjem.
6. Carinski organ, ki pošlje podatke, določi rok za njihov izbris. Osebni podatki se izbrišejo, ko niso več potrebni, najpozneje pa ob izteku določenega roka.
7. Sporazum med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Ruske federacije o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah z dne 31. maja 2006 se v vsakem primeru uporablja tako, da se pri obravnavanju osebnih podatkov spoštujejo pravice in temeljne svoboščine posameznikov, vključno z zasebnostjo in identiteto, v skladu z varstvom po notranji zakonodaji držav pogodbenic.
8. Za ravnanje z osebnimi podatki, izmenjanimi po Sporazumu med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Ruske federacije o sodelovanju in medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah z dne 31. maja 2006, se uporablja notranja zakonodaja držav pogodbenic. Raven varstva osebnih podatkov ne sme biti nižja od ravni, določene v Konvenciji o varstvu posameznikov glede na avtomatsko obdelavo osebnih podatkov (sestavljeni v Strasbourgu 28. januarja 1981).
A G R E E M E N T
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION REGARDING COOPERATION AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CUSTOMS MATTERS
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Russian Federation hereinafter referred to as the “Contracting Parties”,
Considering that the offences against Customs legislation are prejudicial to the economic, fiscal and commercial interests of their respective States;
Considering the importance of assuring the accurate assessment of Customs duties and taxes on the importation and exportation of goods, as well as the accurate determination of the value and origin of such goods and the proper implementation of the provisions of prohibition, restriction and control of goods;
Recognizing the need for international cooperation in matters related to the administration and enforcement of the Customs legislation;
Convinced that actions against Customs offences can be made more effective by cooperation between their Customs Authorities;
Considering that illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances constitutes a danger to public health and to society;
Having regard also to the provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of December 20, 1988;
Having regard to the Recommendation of the Customs Cooperation Council on Mutual Administrative Assistance of December 5, 1953;
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement:
a) “Customs legislation” shall mean laws and regulations enforced by the Customs Authorities concerning importation, exportation, and transit of goods, as they relate to Customs duties, taxes and charges, or to measures of prohibition, restriction and control in respect of the movement of goods across national boundaries;
b) “Customs duties” shall mean all duties, taxes, fees and other charges which are levied and collected by the Customs Authorities in the territories of their States in accordance with the national legislation of the States of the Contracting Parties;
c) “Applicant Authority” shall mean the Customs Authority which makes a request for assistance in pursuant to this Agreement or which receives such assistance;
d) “Requested Authority” shall mean the Customs Authority which receives a request for assistance pursuant to this Agreement or which renders such assistance;
e) “Contravention” shall mean any violation of the customs legislation as well as any attempted violation of such legislation;
f) “Personal data” shall mean information relating to an identified or identifiable individual;
g) “Customs Authority” shall mean in the Republic of Slovenia the Ministry of Finance – the Customs Administration of the Republic of Slovenia and in the Russian Federation – the Federal Customs Service (FCS of Russia).
Article 2
Scope of the Agreement
1. The Contracting Parties through their Customs Authorities shall assist each other, in the manner and under the conditions laid down in this Agreement, in ensuring that customs legislation is correctly applied, in particular by the prevention, detection and investigation of contraventions of this legislation.
2. Assistance under this Agreement shall be rendered in accordance with the legislation of the State of the requested Contracting Party.
3. This Agreement is intended for the mutual administrative assistance in customs matters between the Contracting Parties.
4. No provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner which would restrict mutual assistance practices that under other agreements are already in effect between the Contracting Parties.
Article 3
Instances of Cooperation and Mutual Assistance
1. The Customs Authorities shall at the request or on own initiative furnish each other in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement with all relevant information enabling them to ensure that customs legislation is correctly applied, including inter alia information regarding the movement of goods, their value, origin and tariff classification as well as information regarding acts committed or planned which contravene or may contravene that legislation.
2. The requested Authority shall, on its own initiative or upon request, supply to the applicant Authority the following information:
a) whether goods imported into the territory of the State of one Contracting Party have been lawfully exported from the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party;
b) whether goods exported from the territory of the State of one Contracting Party have been lawfully imported into the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party.
3. At the request of the applicant Authority, the requested Authority shall take the necessary steps to ensure that surveillance is kept on:
a) particular natural or legal persons of whom there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are contravening or have contravened customs legislation in the territory of the State of the applicant Authority;
b) places where goods are stored in a way that gives grounds for suspecting that they are intended to be illicitly imported into the territory of the State of the applicant Authority;
c) movement of goods notified by the applicant Authority as possibly giving rise to substantial contraventions of customs legislation in the territory of the State of the applicant Authority;
d) means of transport for which there are reasonable grounds for believing that they have been, are or may be used in the contravening of customs legislation in the territory of the State of the applicant Authority.
Article 4
Spontaneous Assistance
The Customs Authorities shall within their competence provide each other with assistance if they consider that to be necessary for the correct application of customs legislation, particularly when they obtain information pertaining to:
– acts which have contravened, contravene or may contravene such legislation and which may be of interest to the other Contracting Party;
– new means or methods employed in committing contraventions against customs legislation;
– goods known to be the subject of substantial contraventions against the customs legislation in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party;
– particular persons known to be or suspected of committing contraventions against the legislation in force in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party;
– means of transport including containers, about which knowledge or suspicions exist that they were, are, or could be used in committing contraventions against the customs legislation in force in the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party;
– places used for storing goods which may cause substantial illicit traffic into the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party.
Article 5
Technical Assistance
1. Assistance, as provided for in this Agreement shall include inter alia exchange of experience and information regarding:
a) enforcement actions that may be of use in the prevention of contraventions;
b) new methods used in committing contraventions;
c) observations and findings resulting from the successful application of new enforcement aids and techniques;
d) new techniques and improved methods of processing passengers and cargo.
2. The Customs Authorities shall, if not contrary to their national legislation, also seek to cooperate in:
a) initiating, developing or improving specific training programs for their personnel;
b) establishing and maintaining channels of communication between themselves in order to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information;
c) facilitating effective coordination between themselves, including the exchange of personnel, experts, and the posting of liaison officers;
d) the examination and testing of new equipment or procedures.
Article 6
Form and Substance of Requests for Assistance
1. Request pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in writing. Documents necessary for the execution of such a request shall accompany the request. When required because of the urgency of the situation, oral request may be accepted, but must be confirmed in writing immediately.
2. Request pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article shall include the following information:
a) the applicant Authority making the request;
b) the measure requested;
c) the object of and the reason for the request;
d) the laws, rules and other legal elements involved;
e) indications as exact and comprehensive as possible on the natural or legal persons, to which the request relates;
f) a summary of the relevant facts.
3. Request shall be submitted in an official language of the State of the requested Authority, in English or in a language acceptable to that Authority.
4. If a request does not meet the formal requirements, its correction or completion may be demanded; the ordering of precautionary measures may, however, be undertaken.
Article 7
Execution of Requests
1. The requested Authority shall take all reasonable measures to execute the request, and if required, will endeavour to seek any official or judicial measure necessary to carry out the request.
2. The Customs Authority of one Contracting Party shall, upon the request of the Customs Authority of the other Contracting Party, conduct any necessary investigation concerning operations which are, or appear to be, contrary to the customs legislation in force in the territory of the State of the applicant Customs Authority.
3. In case the requested Customs Authority is not the appropriate agency to comply with a request, it shall promptly transmit the request to the appropriate agency, who shall act upon the request according to its powers under the legislation of its State, or advise the applicant Authority of the appropriate procedure to be followed regarding such a request.
Article 8
Action against Illicit Traffic of Sensible Goods
The Customs Authorities shall, on their own initiative or upon request and without delay, supply to each other all relevant information on activities, detected or planned, which contravene or may contravene the customs legislation in force in the territory of the State of one of the Contracting Parties in the field of:
a) movement of arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices;
b) movement of objects of art and antiquity, which present significant historical, cultural or archeological value for one of the Contracting Parties;
c) movement of poisonous goods as well as the substances dangerous for the environment and the public health;
d) movement of goods subject to substantial customs duties or taxes;
e) movement of sensible and strategic goods subject to non tariff limitations in accordance with the lists agreed upon by the Customs Authorities.
Article 9
The Form in which Information is to be Communicated
1. The requested Authority shall communicate the results of inquiries to the applicant Authority in the form of documents, certified copies of documents, reports and the like and, when necessary, orally.
2. The documents provided for in paragraph 1 may be replaced by computerized information produced in any form for the same purpose, any information necessary for the interpretation or utilization of such computerized information shall be furnished along with it.
Article 10
Exceptions to the Obligation to Provide Assistance
1. In cases where the requested Authority is of the opinion that compliance with a request would infringe upon sovereignty, security, public order, or other substantive interest of its State, or would violate an industrial, commercial or professional secret, assistance may be refused or compliance may be made subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions or requirements.
2. Where the applicant Authority requests assistance which it would itself be unable to provide if so asked, it shall draw attention to the fact in its request. It shall then be for the requested Authority to decide how to respond to such a request.
3. If assistance is withheld or denied the decision and the reasons therefore must be notified to the applicant Authority without delay.
Article 11
Obligation to Observe Confidentiality
1. The Customs Authorities shall guarantee the confidentiality of all information that was determined by them as confidential in accordance with the legislation of their States. The information and documents shall enjoy the same level of protection by the receiving Customs Authority as is extended to information and documents of the same kind under national legislation of its State.
2. The transmission of personal data shall be regulated by Annex to this Agreement.
Article 12
Use of Information
1. Information, documents, and other communications received in the course of mutual assistance may only be used for the purposes specified in this Agreement, including the use in judicial and administrative proceedings.
2. The applicant Authority shall not use evidence or information obtained under this Agreement for purposes other than those stated in the request without the prior written consent of the requested Authority.
3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article are not applicable to information concerning contraventions relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Such information may be communicated by the applicant Customs Authority to the competent agencies of its State which are directly involved in combating illicit drug traffic.
Article 13
Files, Documents, Witnesses and Experts
1. Originals of files and documents shall be requested only in cases where copies would be insufficient. Upon request, copies of such files, documents, and other materials shall be appropriately authenticated.
2. Originals of files and documents, which have been furnished to the applicant Authority, shall be returned at the earliest opportunity. The rights of the requested Authority or of third parties relating thereto shall remain unaffected. Upon request, originals necessary for judicial and administrative proceedings shall be returned without delay.
3. Upon the request of the applicant Authority, the requested Authority may authorize its employees, if such employees consent to do so, to appear as witnesses or experts in judicial or administrative proceedings in the territory of the State of the applicant Authority, and to produce such files and documents or authenticated copies thereof, as may be considered necessary for the proceedings. Such a request shall specify the time, place, and type of proceedings and in what capacity the employee shall testify.
4. When in the circumstances provided for under this Agreement, officials of one Customs Authority are present on the territory of the State of the other Contracting Party, they must at all times be able to furnish the proof of their official capacity. They must not wear uniform nor carry arms.
Article 14
Costs
1. The Customs Authorities shall waive all claims for the reimbursement of costs incurred in the execution of this Agreement, with the exception of expenses for witnesses, fees of experts, and the costs of interpreters other than government employees, which shall be borne by the applicant Customs Authority.
2. If expenses of a substantial and extraordinary nature are, or will be required, in order to execute the request, the Customs Authorities shall consult to determine the terms and conditions under which the request shall be executed, as well as the manner in which the costs shall be borne.
Article 15
Implementation
1. The implementation of this Agreement shall be entrusted to the Customs Authorities. They shall decide on all practical measures and arrangements necessary for its application.
2. The Customs Authorities may arrange for their investigation services to be in direct communication with each other.
3. The Customs Authorities shall hold consultations on matters of cooperation and assistance provided for under this Agreement on regular basis or upon the request of one of the Customs Authorities.
Article 16
Territorial Applicability
This Agreement shall be applicable on the customs territories of the States of the Contracting Parties as defined in the national legislation of the States of the Contracting Parties.
Article 17
Entry into Force and Termination
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day from the date of the last written notification that all national legal procedures necessary for its entry into force have been fulfilled.
2. As soon as this Agreement enters into force in the relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the Russian Federation, Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics regarding cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, signed in Belgrade on September 14, 1977 shall cease to have effect.
3. This Agreement is concluded for an unlimited duration and shall stay in force six months after the date of receipt by one Contracting Party of a written notification of the other Contracting Party about its intention to terminate the Agreement.
4. This Agreement may be modified by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties and the agreed modifications shall enter into force in accordance with the procedure established in paragraph 1 of this Article.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Moscow on the 31st day of May 2006 in two originals in the Slovene, Russian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any difference in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Government of
the Republic of Slovenia
Dimitrij Rupel (s)
For the Government of
the Russian Federation
Andrej Beljaninov (s)
ANNEX
to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Russian Federation regarding cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters
Provisions regarding the transferring of personal data to be followed by the Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties
1. The Customs Authorities may use the received personal data only for the purposes and subject to the conditions stated by the Customs authority providing the data. Such data can be forwarded to other authorities only subject to the preliminary consent of the providing Customs Authority.
2. Upon request of the Customs Authority providing such data the other Customs authority shall account for the use of such data and report on that of the result.
3. The Customs Authority providing the data shall ascertain the validity of the data to be transferred. In case of invalid or restricted data, the applicant Customs Authority shall be informed immediately of the fact. The applicant Customs Authority shall implement the correction of the data or destroy it if so requested.
4. The Customs Authorities shall keep a register on the supply and receipt of the personal data.
5. The Customs Authorities shall protect the received data against unauthorized access, modification without consent of the Customs authority providing the data, as well as against unauthorized further transferring.
6. The Customs Authority providing the data shall determine the deadline of the deletion of the data. The personal data shall be deleted at the termination of the necessity and at the determined deadline at the latest.
7. The application of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Russian Federation in cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters of 31 May 2006 shall take place, in any case, in such a way that the processing of personal data is carried out respecting the rights and fundamental freedoms of persons, including their privacy and identity, as safeguarded in the national legislation of the State of the Contracting Parties.
8. The national legislations of the States of the Contracting Parties shall apply for handling of personal data exchanged pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Russian Federation in cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters of 31 May 2006. The level of personal data protection shall not be less than that defined by the provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (prepared in Strasbourg, on January 28, 1981).
3. člen
Za izvajanje sporazuma skrbi Ministrstvo za finance – Carinska uprava Republike Slovenije.
4. člen
Ta zakon začne veljati petnajsti dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.
Št. 437-01/07-20/1
Ljubljana, dne 22. junija 2007
EPA 1490-IV
Predsednik
Državnega zbora
Republike Slovenije
France Cukjati, dr. med., l.r.
(1) Besedilo sporazuma v ruskem jeziku je na vpogled v Sektorju za mednarodno pravo Ministrstva za zunanje zadeve.
