Treaty of Sampleland (Sample Draft of proposal)

SAMPLELAND-Volaworand Friendship and Cooperation Agreement
Signed on the XXth of XXXXXXX, 20XX

The Governments of Sampleland and The Auphelia Loving Kleptocracy of Volaworand, hereinafter referred to as the parties:

NOTING that SOMETHING SILLY;

SEEKING to encourage friendship, commerce and cooperation among our peoples;

BUILDING on our shared participation in The Polar Conservation Council (TPCC) and the South Pacific Regional Trade Agreement (SPaRTA);

RECOGNIZING the necessity to establish formal affairs concerning social, political, military and economic dimensions of relations between our nations;

HOPING the peaceful cooperation of our states will promote stability and harmony throughout the South Pacific region;

DESIRING to establish a mutual aid and defense pact between our nations;

ESTABLISH a clear, transparent, and predictable legal and commercial framework for business planning, that supports further expansion of trade and investment;

HAVE AGREED as follows:

1. AGREEMENT
   It is henceforth agreed an alliance be established between Sampleland and Volaworand and that there shall be everlasting peace, friendship, commerce, and cooperation between our nations.

2. DIPLOMATIC RECOGNITION

   1. Parties to this treaty recognize the exclusive territorial sovereignty of the other and reject any overlapping or competing territorial claims of other nations.

   2. Each party shall establish an embassy, consulate or diplomatic mission in the capital city of the other, shall employ an ambassador to facilitate friendship between nations and maintain consular services for their nationals located in the host nation.

      1. Volaworand will allow an embassy in the capital of Rothera and SAMPLELAND shall allow an embassy in the capital of CITYNAME.

      2. Host governments are responsible to ensure external security of foreign diplomatic staff in their nation. Each party is allowed to send up to a maximum of 10 armed military or internal security personnel for each consular location.

   3. Shared consular services are allowed with consent of the Host nation.

      1. SAMPLELAND recognizes Volaworand's prior agreements outlined in Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Sharing of Consular Services and recognizes British Pitcairn Islands British Falkland Islands S Georgia and S Sandwich Islands and St Helena Ascension and Tristan da Cunha as protectorates of Volaworand and allows consular services to be provided by Volaworand to citizens of said nations.

   4. Parties shall, subject to reasonable regulation, provide emergency consular assistance to the citizens of the other Party in any nations where only one party has consular offices.

3. MOVEMENT OF NATURAL PERSONS

   1. Each party recognizes the Passport or Document of Identity issued by the other nation as a valid and sufficient identification of travelers at all ports of entry.

   2. In all ports, stations and settlements, other than military installations, citizens of each nation may travel and reside; shall have the right to rent or lease ground, rent or purchase buildings and dwellings, may erect dwellings and warehouses, and conduct commerce subject to local laws and the terms of their entry. Neither party will allow a wall, fence, or gate be erected by the host government around said places of residence or commerce, or anything done which may prevent a free egress and ingress to the same.

   3. Citizens of one nation accused and charged of criminal offenses in another nation shall be subject to deportation and be tried under their home nations system of justice. Each nation shall ensure their system of justice be open to the citizens of the other nations, to enable them to recover their just claims against citizens.

   4. Each party agrees to not harbor criminals of other nation and shall, upon written diplomatic request, extradite citizens to the custody of their home nation.

   5. Each party shall set out regulations allowing short-term tourist, business, scientific and academic visitors of the other Party and streamline existing procedures for travelers between their nations.

   6. The parties agree to the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income earned by their citizens in the other nation and shall exchange reporting of income and taxation paid by such citizens of the other party earned in their respective nations.

   7. No part of this agreement shall prevent a party from applying measures to regulate the entry of natural persons of the other party into, or their temporary stay in, its territory, including those measures necessary to protect the integrity of, and to ensure the orderly movement of natural persons across its borders, provided that such measures are not applied in such a manner as to nullify or impair the benefits accruing to the other party under the terms of a specific commitment.

   8. Religious freedoms of travelers shall not be impaired.

      1. Citizens of each nation shall be allowed, subject to reasonable regulation, the peaceful free exercise of their religion in the other nation, and for this purpose shall have the right to erect or maintain suitable places of worship. No injury shall be done to such buildings, nor any insult be offered to the religious worship. Citizens shall not injure any church, temple or shrine, or offer any insult or injury to religious ceremonies, or to the objects of their worship.

      2. The parties shall not do anything that may be calculated to excite religious agitation or animosity, including proselytization. Citizens whose religious practice is disruptive of peace and order may be subject to deportation after diplomatic consultation.

4. TRADE IN GOODS

   1. Trade Duty Reduction
      The parties agree to a maximum import duty of 5% shall be paid on all landed goods, and on all articles of local production that are exported as cargo, that have originated from the nation of the other party. No higher duties shall be paid on such goods imported than are fixed by this agreement, nor shall any higher duties be paid than are levied on the same description of goods if imported in the vessels of any other nation, except as specified in treaties of Volaworand or SAMPLELAND. All goods imported and which have paid the duty fixed by this agreement may be transported into any part of the nation without the payment of any additional tax, excise, or transit duty whatever.

      1. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the imposition of sales taxes or revenue duties which are levied equally on both imports and domestic products.

      2. Nothing in this Agreement shall impact the duty free trade of goods governed by provisions of the South Pacific Regional Trade Agreement (SPaRTA).

   2. The importation of environmentally sensitive flora, fauna, and other materials are prohibited and any vessel arriving by space, air, sea, or land faring vessel shall be subject to verification and inspection of goods on board and all such cargo regulated above shall be seized and either returned to the exporting nation at the exporters expense or, if the value is less than the transport costs, destroyed by the local authorities.

      1. Nothing in this agreement shall restrict or inhibit either parties efforts to protect ecosystems by combatting invasive species.

      2. Nothing in this agreement shall impact provisions of the The Polar Conservation Council (TPCC) and related agreements.

   3. Streamlining Customs Procedures
      For prompt customs clearance of goods traded between their nations, each party shall:

      1. streamline and simplify regulatory and customs requirements as much as possible,

      2. recognizing that trading using electronic filing and transfer of trade-related information and electronic versions of documents such as bills of lading, invoices, letters of credit and insurance certificates, as an alternative to paper-based methods (hereinafter referred to as “paperless trading”), will significantly enhance the efficiency of trade through reduction of cost and time, shall co-operate with a view to realizing and promoting paperless trading between them.

      3. make its customs procedures conform, as far as and as promptly as possible, to relevant industry standards and recommended practices accepted by both Parties.
         encourage co-operation between their relevant private and public entities engaging in activities related to paperless trading. Such co-operation may include the setting up and operation by such entities of facilities to provide efficient and secured flow of electronic trade-related information and electronic versions of relevant documents between enterprises of the parties.

   4. Testing and Certification Standards
      The parties recognize that differences in testing and certification standards especially in electrical, electronic, telecom and pharmaceutical products, can be a non-tariff barrier. Both parties agree to accord mutual recognition of test results and certification by accredited conformity assessment bodies in either country, so that exporters can have their products tested and certified by assessment bodies in their countries without having to duplicate the procedure in the importing country.

      1. Each party shall ensure, through appropriate means such as audits, inspections or monitoring, that the registered conformity assessment bodies fulfil the criteria for designation set out in the applicable laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the other party. When applying the criteria for designation of the conformity assessment bodies, Designating Authorities of a party should take into account the bodies’ understanding of and experience relevant to the requirements set out in the applicable laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the other party.

      2. Each party may request the other party, by indicating in writing a reasoned doubt on whether a registered conformity assessment body complies with the criteria for designation set out in the applicable laws, regulations and administrative provisions, to conduct verification of the conformity assessment body in accordance with the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of that other party.

      3. Each party may, upon request, participate as an observer in the verification of conformity assessment bodies conducted by the Designating Authorities of the other party, with the prior consent of such conformity assessment bodies, in order to maintain a continuing understanding of that other party’s procedures for verification.

      4. The parties shall exchange information on methods, including accreditation systems, used to designate the conformity assessment bodies and to ensure that the registered conformity assessment bodies fulfill the criteria for designation.

      5. Each party should encourage its registered conformity assessment bodies to co-operate and consult with the conformity assessment bodies of the other party.

      6. The parties agree to share all relevant information with each other in the event of product Health and Safety advisories and recalls.

   5. Government-to-Government Military trade

      1. Party governments may purchase from the other governments ships-of-war, merchant ships, submarine vessels, whale ships, cannon, munitions of war, military drones, space satellites, craft and arms of all kinds, and any other things they may require. Nations shall have the right to employ, in the other nation, scientific, naval and military personnel, technicians and artisans of all kind, and mariners to enter into its service, for the purpose of facilitating this government-to-government trade. The said person's employed may not trade arms or military materials to the private sector or parties outside this Treaty. Each party shall disclose to the host nation government the names, nature of employment and addresses of all government contracted personnel operating in the host nation. Each party shall have the right to expel or deport individual government contracted personnel of the other.

      2. Volaworand's status as a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory requires it shall not receive the transfer from any transferor whatsoever of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or of control over such weapons or explosive devices directly, or indirectly; not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices; and not to seek or receive any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. SAMPLELAND agrees not to trade prohibited material or provide any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices with any citizen or agent of Volaworand.

      3. Parties to the treaty are entitled to participate in the fullest possible exchange of scientific information for, and to contribute, alone or in cooperation with each other, to, the further development of the applications of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

5. NATIONAL ANIMAL EXCHANGE

   1. Each party shall offer, an exchange of a breeding pair of their national animals without cost for the purpose of zoological exhibition in the other nation, or other purposes as mutually agreed. Each party consents to supply directly or indirectly an appropriate source of animal feed at cost for the duration of the exchange.

      1. SAMPLELAND will offer NUMBER of ANIMAL for exhibition in Volaworand and Volaworand will provide a flock of six gentoo penguins for exhibition in SAMPLELAND.

   2. Each party shall be responsible for the health of animals in their charge. In the event of an animal's death, the providing nation shall be compensated at no lower than the market rates in effect at the time and a replacement national animal provided in a reasonable timeframe.

   3. In the event a party changes its national animal, they agree to forfeit ownership claims on the animals in custody of the other party and supply a breeding pair of the new animal within 30 days.

   4. In the event a nation withdraws unilaterally from this agreement, the party of the withdrawing nation shall forfeit ownership claims on the animals in custody of the other party.

6. SCIENTIFIC, ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION COOPERATION

   1. Exchanges of scientific and academic personnel between schools, universities, research stations, and other institutions such are encouraged and both parties will expedite the local permitting and visa process for persons involved in such exchanges. Results of joint non-military research projects are to be published jointly by the educational or research institutions of nations participating in such exchanges.

      1. INSITUTION, in CITY, SAMPLELAND and Volaworand Antarctic College in Faraday, Volaworand shall both allow international students from the other nation, and assign a minimum of 100 permanent slots for foreign students in these institutions.
         

   2. The parties agree not to trade material or provide any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.

   3. The parties are entitled to participate in the fullest possible study and exchange of scientific information for, and to contribute, alone or in cooperation with each other, to:

      1. the further development of the applications of atomic or nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

      2. the further development and application of scientific discoveries in the field of bacteriology (biology) for prevention of disease and the use of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes.

      3. the development and application of scientific discoveries in the field of chemistry for improvement of agriculture and the use of chemical agents for peaceful purposes.

   4. Licensing or Certification of Professional Certifications

      1. The parties shall allow recognition of the credentials issued of the other's primary diploma and higher education degree programs within their domestic education programs.

      2. A party may recognize the education or experience obtained, requirements met, or licenses or certifications granted in the territory of the other Party for the purposes of the fulfillment, in whole or in part, of its standards or criteria for the authorization, licensing or certification of natural persons with professional qualifications.

      3. Recognition referred to the above paragraph, which may be achieved through harmonization or otherwise, may be based upon an agreement or arrangement between the Parties or may be accorded unilaterally.

      4. Where a party recognizes, by agreement or arrangement or unilaterally, the education or experience obtained, requirements met or licenses or certifications granted in the territory of a outside nation to this agreement, the party shall accord to the other party an adequate opportunity to demonstrate that the education or experience obtained, requirements met or licenses or certifications granted in the territory of the outside nation should also be recognized.

7. NON AGRESSION AND MUTUAL AID

   1. The parties henceforth shall maintain a non-aggressive military stance towards the other and not provide aid or comfort to the declared enemies of the other nations.

   2. The parties henceforth shall also send aid including (but not limited to) personnel, food, water, or construction equipment if massive or heavy destruction and/or casualties have been inflicted on any party.

   3. If requested, the parties shall offer shelter and protection to each other's populations displaced by war in any military conflict or natural disaster.

   4. In order more effectively achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help, coordination, and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to respond to natural or technological disasters.

8. INTELLIGENCE SHARING

   1. The parties to this Treaty agree to share intelligence information about the threats or hostile activities of any nation or group that threatens the peace and security of the other nations.

   2. The parties to this Treaty agree to deconflict space-based, aerial, naval or other observations or reconnaissance activities.
      

9. MILITARY COOPERATION

   1. The parties agree that any armed attack against one of them is to be considered an attack against them both and consequently agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each party is obliged to assist the other party by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other party, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the parties.

   2. All parties henceforth shall aid the other signatories legitimate militaries in such wars, insurgencies, and civil wars occurring unless the aiding nation's military and/or military equipment has been damaged or rendered unusable, or if the aiding nation has signed a neutrality agreement. The parties henceforth shall also send international aid including (but not limited to) food, water, or construction equipment to the other signatories after any massive or heavy destruction and/or casualties has been inflicted on the target country.

   3. Parties to this Treaty shall recognize the value and importance of military planning exercises. All governments mutually agree that their military will invite participation from their counterpart military in joint training exercises.

   4. All parties will jointly participate in a capitals-managed military preparedness summit at least annually and liaise with each other on timing and location.

   5. Exchanges of military personnel between the navy, army, air force, and other such institutions are encouraged and the parties will expedite the local permitting and visa process for persons involved in such exchanges.

   6. Results of joint military exercises projects are to be shared, jointly by the militaries of nations participating in such exchanges, with the governments of this Treaty.

   7. The Parties shall recognize the credentials issued of each others military training programs within their training programs.

   8. Each party shall have the right to expel or deport individual government contracted personnel of the others.

   9. A party may, by mutual bilateral agreement, place troops, armaments or other military personnel and equipment within in the nations of another party.

      1. SAMPLELAND shall open NAVAL MILITARY BASE at CITY for Volaworandian military personnel and naval vessels for docking, repair, refueling, housing, and basing. Volaworand shall open Marimbio Military Base for SAMPLELAND personnel and aircraft for landing, takeoff, refueling, housing, and basing.

      2. The parties shall, in good faith, maintain these military facilities for the foreign military listed in the clause above.

10. DISPUTES BETWEEN PARTIES

    1. Disputes between the parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement should, if possible, be settled through the diplomatic channel.

    2. If a dispute between the parties cannot thus be settled, upon the request of either party, the dispute shall be submitted to an arbitral tribunal.

    3. Such an arbitral tribunal shall be constituted for each individual case in the following way. Within one month of the receipt of the request for arbitration, each party shall appoint one member of the tribunal. Those two members shall then select a national of a third nation who, on approval by the two parties, shall be appointed Chair of the tribunal. The Chair shall be appointed within one month from the date of appointment of the initial two members.

    4. All parties present during meetings of the arbitral tribunal shall be required to perform silly walks, speak in rhyme and wear silly hats.

       1. Allowed hats include, but are not limited to hennins, conical wide brimmed witches hat, fez, feathered bycoket or chapel à bec, dunce hat, phrygian cap, elaborate fascinators, or any style of tinfoil, colored foam or lampshade.

       2. All silly walks must be accompanied by sound effects of greater or equal silliness.

       3. In the event a walk or hat is not deemed silly enough by the opposing nation, the offending ambassador must be paraded in front of the Grand Poobah of Silliness. If the Grand Poobah deems the walk or hat not silly enough, the offender must serve for one month as a court jester for the leader of the other Party for a period not exceeding one month.

    5. The arbitral tribunal shall reach its decision by a majority of votes. Such decision shall be binding on both parties. Each party shall bear the cost of its own member of the tribunal and of its representation in the arbitral proceedings; the expenses of the Chair and the remaining costs shall be borne in equal parts by the parties. The tribunal may, however, in its decision direct that a higher proportion of costs shall be borne by one of the two parties, and this award shall be binding on both parties. The tribunal shall determine its own procedure.

11. FINAL TERMS

    1. At the desire of either party, and on fourteen days notice given in writing, this Treaty, together with any regulations of trade hereunto annexed, or those that may be hereafter introduced, shall be subject to revision by Commissioners appointed on both sides for this purpose, who will be empowered to decide and insert therein, such amendments as experience shall prove to be desirable and unanimously agreeable to both parties. Agreements become effective when both nations agree in writing and then update the treaty fact book entry or dispatch deposited by Volaworand. If agreement has not been reached at the end of fourteen days the original terms remain in force.

    2. A nation may withdraw from this treaty on one months notice given in writing. Citizens who are living or traveling in the other parties nation during this period shall be allowed to depart without hindrance. The Treaty will remain in force during the notice period.

    3. If a Nation departs the South Pacific region or ceases to exist on nationstates.net it will be deemed to have withdrawn from this agreement. Any successor nation will not have an automatic right to resume this Treaty.

    4. This Treaty shall go into effect on the XXth of XXXXXXX, 20XX. This Treaty is executed in duplicate, each copy being written in English, both versions having the same meaning and intention, and deposited in Volaworand to be posted on nationstates.net.

See Also: Ratified Treaties Of Volaworand
See Also: Foreign Relations Of Volaworand

- Volaworand Newswire