Ašrar śtgįfur af skjalinu: PDF - Word Perfect. Ferill mįlsins.

Žskj. 381  —  351. mįl.


Tillaga til žingsįlyktunar

um fullgildingu frķverslunarsamnings milli rķkja Frķverslunarsamtaka Evrópu og Tollabandalags Sušur-Afrķkurķkja.

(Lögš fyrir Alžingi į 133. löggjafaržingi 2006–2007.)




    Alžingi įlyktar aš heimila rķkisstjórninni aš fullgilda fyrir Ķslands hönd frķverslunarsamning milli ašildarrķkja Frķverslunarsamtaka Evrópu og Tollabandalags Sušur-Afrķkurķkja sem undirritašur var ķ jśnķ og jślķ 2006 į Höfn ķ Hornafirši, ķ Genf, Gabarone og Pretorķu.

Athugasemdir viš žingsįlyktunartillögu žessa.

    Meš žingsįlyktunartillögu žessari er leitaš heimildar Alžingis til fullgildingar į frķverslunarsamningi milli ašildarrķkja Frķverslunarsamtaka Evrópu (European Free Trade Association, EFTA, sem Ķsland, Liechtenstein, Noregur og Sviss eru ašilar aš) og Tollabandalags Sušur-Afrķkurķkja (South African Customs Union, SACU, sem Botsvana, Lesótó, Namibķa, Sušur-Afrķka og Svasķland eru ašilar aš) sem undirritašur var ķ jśnķ og jślķ 2006 į Höfn ķ Hornafirši, ķ Genf, Gabarone og Pretorķu. Meginmįl samningsins ķ ķslenskri žżšingu og frumtextinn į ensku er prentašur sem fylgiskjal meš žingsįlyktunartillögu žessari. Višaukar og bókanir sem fylgja samningnum munu liggja frammi į lestrarsal Alžingis.
    EFTA-rķkin hafa nś gert 16 frķverslunarsamninga sem nį til 20 rķkja/yfirrįšasvęša, aš samningnum viš SACU-rķkin meštöldum. Žrįtt fyrir aš telja samanlagt ašeins um 12 milljónir manns eru EFTA-rķkin nķundi stęrsti vöruśtflytjandi heims. Frķverslunarsamningar EFTA nį til samtals 389 milljóna manna, auk frķverslunarstengslanna viš Evrópusambandiš sem telur 465 milljónir ķbśa.
    Samningurinn viš SACU-rķkin er sérstakur aš żmsu leyti; žetta er fyrsti frķverslunarsamningurinn sem EFTA-rķkin gera viš ašra višskiptablokk og jafnframt fyrsti samningur slķkrar tegundar sem geršur er viš rķki ķ Afrķku, sunnan Sahara. Žetta er enn fremur ķ fyrsta skipti sem rķki sem telst til fįtękustu rķkja heims veršur ašili aš frķverslunarsamningi viš EFTA- rķkin, en Lesótó telst til slķkra rķkja. Ķ samningnum er tekiš tillit til mismunandi žróunarstigs samningsrķkjanna. EFTA-rķkin munu lękka og fella nišur tolla af sķnum vörum hrašar en ašildarrķki SACU og samningurinn inniheldur įkvęši um sértęka mešferš ķ żmsu tilliti fyrir Botsvana, Lesótó, Namibķu og Svasķland, auk įkvęša um efnahagslega samvinnu og tękniašstoš. Samningurinn nęr til višskipta meš išnašarvörur, žar meš tališ sjįvarafuršir, og unnar landbśnašarvörur. Ķsland, Noregur og Sviss hafa jafnframt undirritaš tvķhliša samninga viš ašildarrķki SACU sem munu öšlast gildi į sama tķma og frķverslunarsamningurinn. Samningsašilar munu enn fremur leitast viš aš skapa og višhalda stöšugu og gagnsęju umhverfi fyrir fjįrfestingar og hafa lagt grunn aš auknu frelsi į sviši žjónustuvišskipta og opinberra śtboša. Įkvęši um vernd hugverkaréttinda eru byggš į gildandi alžjóšasamningum og verša tekin til endurskošunar innan fimm įra. Samningurinn inniheldur aš auki reglur um hvernig bregšast eigi viš višskiptahįttum sem vinna gegn virkri samkeppni, stofnanaįkvęši og įkvęši um samrįš og lausn įgreiningsmįla.

Fylgiskjal.


FRĶVERSLUNARSAMNINGUR
MILLI
EFTA-RĶKJANNA
OG
TOLLABANDALAGS SUŠUR-AFRĶKURĶKJA

FORMĮLSORŠ

Lżšveldiš Ķsland, Furstadęmiš Liechtenstein, Konungsrķkiš Noregur og Rķkjasambandiš Sviss, ašilar aš Frķverslunarsamtökum Evrópu (hér į eftir nefnd „EFTA-rķkin“)


og

Lżšveldiš Botsvana, Konungsrķkiš Lesótó, Lżšveldiš Namibķa, Lżšveldiš Sušur-Afrķka og Konungsrķkiš Svasķland, sem mynda Tollabandalag Sušur- Afrķkurķkja (hér į eftir nefnd „SACU“ sem heild eša „SACU-rķkin“ hvert fyrir sig),


sem hér į eftir eru sameiginlega nefnd „samningsašilarnir“,

HAFA Ķ HUGA aš EFTA-rķkin og SACU-rķkin eiga žį ósk aš efla tengsl sķn į milli og koma į nįnum og varanlegum samskiptum į grundvelli samstarfs og samvinnu,

VIŠURKENNA aš rķkisstjórnir SACU-rķkjanna hafa gert įtak til žess aš efla efnahagslega og félagslega žróun meš žegnum sķnum og aš EFTA-rķkin eru fśs til žess aš styšja žaš ferli,

MINNA Į aš samningsašilarnir leggja rķka įherslu į žęr meginreglur sem gilda um millirķkjavišskipti og naušsyn žess aš beita žeim meš gagnsęjum hętti og įn mismununar,

TAKA TILLIT TIL réttinda og skyldna samningsašilanna hvaš varšar ašild žeirra aš Alžjóšavišskiptastofnuninni (hér eftir nefnd „WTO“) og hlutdeildar žeirra ķ aš efla enn frekar marghliša višskiptakerfi,

VIŠURKENNA sérstakar žarfir og hagsmuni SACU-rķkjanna, sem žróunarrķkja eša landa sem eru skemmst į veg komin ķ žróun, og aš slķkar žarfir og hagsmunir geri aš verkum aš um algera gagnkvęmni verši ekki aš ręša aš žvķ er varšar skuldbindingar į sviši minnkunar śtstreymis sem um getur ķ Dóha-žróunarįętluninni,

STAŠFESTA aš samningsašilarnir skuldbinda sig til žess aš efla samvinnu milli svęša og efnahagssamvinnu milli landa sunnanveršrar Afrķku og Evrópu og stušla aš auknu frelsi ķ višskiptum milli samningsašilanna,

HAFA Ķ HUGA aš samningsašilarnir skuldbinda sig til aš tryggja aš gagnkvęmt samkomulag žeirra hamli ekki svęšisbundinni samvinnu mešal EFTA- rķkjanna annars vegar og SACU-rķkjanna hins vegar,


STEFNA AŠ ŽVĶ aš skapa nż atvinnutękifęri og bęta vinnuskilyrši og lķfskjör į yfirrįšasvęšum sķnum og stušla jafnframt aš sjįlfbęrri žróun,


ĮRÉTTA stušning sinn viš žęr meginreglur og markmiš sem eru sett fram ķ sįttmįla Sameinušu žjóšanna og almennu mannréttindayfirlżsingunni, og


ERU SANNFĘRŠIR UM aš žessi samningur muni skapa įkjósanlegar ašstęšur fyrir tengsl samningsašilanna į sviši efnahagsmįla, višskipta og fjįrfestinga,

HAFA ĮKVEŠIŠ, ķ samręmi viš markmiš žessi, aš gera meš sér svohljóšandi samning (sem nefnist hér į eftir „žessi samningur“):

I. KAFLI
ALMENN ĮKVĘŠI
1. gr.
Markmiš.
1.    Samningsašilarnir koma hér meš į frķverslunarsvęši ķ samręmi viš įkvęši žessa samnings sem er byggšur į višskiptasamböndum milli markašshagkerfa.
2.    Markmiš žessa samnings eru:
a)    aš auka frelsi ķ vöruvišskiptum ķ samręmi viš hinn almenna samning um tolla og višskipti (hér į eftir nefndur „GATT-samningurinn frį 1994“),

b)    aš fjölga svo um munar tękifęrum til fjįrfestinga į frķverslunarsvęšinu,
c)    aš stušla aš fullnęgjandi og įhrifarķkri vernd hugverkaréttinda,
d)    aš leggja grundvöll aš frekari žróun višskipta og efnahagstengsla sķn į milli ķ žvķ skyni aš fęra śt og auka įvinninginn af samningi žessum, og

e)    aš stušla žannig aš samstilltri žróun og auknum alžjóšavišskiptum meš žvķ aš ryšja višskiptahindrunum śr vegi.

2. gr.
Višskipta- og efnahagstengsl sem falla undir žennan samning.
    Įkvęši žessa samnings eiga viš um višskipta- og efnahagstengsl milli einstakra EFTA-rķkja annars vegar og einstakra SACU-rķkja hins vegar eša, žar sem sérstaklega er kvešiš į um žaš, SACU-rķkjanna ķ heild ķ nafni SACU. Hvaš varšar SACU skal skilja hugtökin „samningsašilar“ eša „samningsašili“ hverju sinni śt frį višeigandi įkvęšum žessa samnings og valdsviš SACU og SACU-rķkjanna ķ samręmi viš SACU-samninginn frį 2002 meš įoršnum breytingum. Žessi samningur gildir hvorki um višskiptatengsl milli EFTA-rķkja né višskiptatengsl milli SACU-rķkja.



3. gr.
Landfręšilegt gildissviš.
1.    Žessi samningur gildir, meš fyrirvara um V. višauka, um:
a)    landsvęši, innhöf og landhelgi samningsašila og loftrżmi yfir landsvęšinu ķ samręmi viš reglur žjóšaréttar, svo og

b)    svęši utan landhelgi meš tilliti til rįšstafana sem samningsašili gerir ķ krafti fullveldisréttinda sinna eša lögsögu ķ samręmi viš reglur žjóšaréttar.
2.    Įkvęši I. višauka eiga viš um Noreg.

4. gr.
Tengsl viš ašra alžjóšasamninga.
1.    Samningsašilarnir stašfesta réttindi sķn og skyldur samkvęmt Marakess-samningnum um stofnun Alžjóšavišskiptastofnunarinnar og öšrum samningum į grundvelli hans (hér į eftir nefndur „WTO-samningurinn“) sem žeir eiga ašild aš og samkvęmt öšrum alžjóšasamningum sem eiga viš um samskipti samningsašila.
2.    Ekkert įkvęši žessa samnings skal tślka sem undanžįgu til handa samningsašilunum frį žeim skuldbindingum sem į žeim hvķla samkvęmt öšrum alžjóšasamningum.

5. gr.
Frķšindasamningar viš žrišju lönd.
    Samningur žessi śtilokar ekki aš tollabandalögum, frķverslunarsvęšum, samningum um landamęravišskipti og öšrum frķšindasamningum samningsašilanna sé viš haldiš, til žeirra stofnaš eša žeir fęršir śt, svo fremi žaš raski ekki framkvęmd žeirra skuldbindinga sem kvešiš er į um ķ žessum samningi. Samningsašilarnir skulu upplżsa hverjir ašra, innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar sem stofnuš er ķ samręmi viš 33. gr. (hér į eftir nefnd „sameiginlega nefndin“), um slķka samninga viš žrišju lönd.

II. KAFLI
VÖRUVIŠSKIPTI
6. gr.
Gildissviš.
1.    Žessi kafli gildir um:
a)    framleišsluvörur sem heyra undir 25. til 98. kafla ķ samręmdri vörulżsingar- og vöruheitaskrį (ST), meš fyrirvara um įkvęši II. višauka,

b)    framleišsluvörur, sem tilgreindar eru ķ III. višauka, aš teknu višeigandi tilliti til fyrirkomulags žess sem kvešiš er į um ķ žeim višauka, og
c)    fisk og ašrar sjįvarafuršir eins og kvešiš er į um ķ IV. višauka,
sem eru upprunnar ķ EFTA-rķki eša innan SACU ķ samręmi viš upprunareglur sem kvešiš er į um ķ V. višauka.
2.    SACU og hvert EFTA-rķki hafa gert meš sér tvķhliša samninga um višskipti meš landbśnašarafuršir. Žeir samningar eru hluti af gerningum um aš koma į fót frķverslunarsvęši EFTA-rķkjanna og SACU.

7. gr.
Upprunareglur og samvinna stjórnvalda.
1.    Kvešiš er į um upprunareglur ķ V. višauka.

2.    Įkvęši um gagnkvęma stjórnsżslusamvinnu į sviši tollamįla er aš finna ķ VI. višauka.

8. gr.
Tollar.
1.    Engir nżir tollar skulu innleiddir ķ višskiptum milli EFTA-rķkjanna og SACU, eins og kvešiš er į um ķ 1. mgr. 6. gr., nema aš žvķ marki sem kvešiš er į um ķ žessum samningi.
2.    EFTA-rķkin skulu, frį og meš gildistöku žessa samnings, afnema alla innflutningstolla į framleišsluvöru sem upprunnin er ķ SACU.
3.    SACU skal ķ įföngum afnema innflutningstolla į framleišsluvöru sem upprunnin er ķ EFTA-rķkjunum, ķ samręmi viš įkvęši IV. og VII. višauka.

4.    Viš gildistöku žessa samnings skulu samningsašilarnir afnema alla tolla į śtfluttar vörur til annarra samningsašila, meš fyrirvara um įkvęši žessa samnings.
5.    Til tolla teljast hvers konar tollar eša gjöld, sem eru lögš į ķ tengslum viš inn- eša śtflutning framleišsluvöru, einnig hvers konar aukaskattar eša aukagjöld aš frįtöldum gjöldum sem eru lögš į, ķ samręmi viš III., VIII. og XI. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994.

9. gr.
Grunntollar.
1.    Grunntollur į hverja framleišsluvöru, sem į aš fara stiglękkandi skv. IV. og VII. višauka, skal samsvara bestukjaratollinum (hér į eftir nefndur „bestukjaratollur“) sem ķ gildi var 1. jślķ 2003.

2.    Komi almennar tollalękkanir til framkvęmda fyrir, viš eša eftir 1. jślķ 2003, m.a. lękkanir ķ samręmi viš skuldbindingar sem leišir af marghliša samningavišręšum į vegum WTO, skulu lękkušu tollarnir koma ķ staš grunntolla, sem um getur ķ 1. mgr., frį žeim tķma sem lękkanirnar koma til framkvęmda eša frį og meš gildistöku žessa samnings, verši hśn sķšar.
3.    Reikna skal lękkušu tollana ķ samręmi viš IV. og VII. višauka meš einum aukastaf eša, žegar um ręšir sérstaka tolla, meš tveimur aukastöfum.

4.    Įkvęši 1. mgr. gilda ekki um vörur, sem eru til rannsóknar hjį stjórnsżslunefnd Sušur-Afrķku um alžjóšavišskipti, frį og meš 1. jślķ 2003, og taldar eru upp ķ VIII. višauka og vörur sem taldar eru upp ķ töflu 1 og 2 ķ VII. višauka og flokkašar sem skrįr 5 og 6.
5.    Aš undanskildum žeim frķšindamörkum sem eru tilgreind „vélar hluti 1 (motors partials 1)“ og „vélar hluti 2“ ķ 5. mgr. VII. višauka, gildir 2. mgr. ekki um vörur sem taldar eru upp ķ töflu 1 og 2 ķ višauka VII, sbr. flokkun ķ skrį 5 og 6.

10. gr.
Takmarkanir į inn- og śtflutningi.
    Įkvęši IX. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 gilda um réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna aš žvķ er varšar takmarkanir į inn- og śtflutningi og eru hér meš felldar inn ķ žennan samning og eru hluti af honum.

11. gr.
Innlend mešferš.
    Samningsašilarnir skulu, nema kvešiš sé į um annaš ķ žessum samningi, beita innlendri mešferš, ķ samręmi viš įkvęši III. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994, ž.į m. athugasemdum um tślkun, sem er hér meš felld inn ķ žennan samning og eru hluti af honum.

12. gr.
Rķkisrekin višskiptafyrirtęki.
    Fariš skal meš réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna, aš žvķ er varšar rķkisrekin višskiptafyrirtęki, ķ samręmi viš įkvęši XVII. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 og samkomulag um tślkun XVII. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994, sem eru hér meš felld inn ķ žennan samning og eru hluti af honum.

13. gr.
Tęknilegar reglur, stašlar og samręmismat.
1.    Fariš skal meš réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna, aš žvķ er varšar tęknilegar reglur, stašla og samręmismat, ķ samręmi viš samning Alžjóšavišskiptastofnunarinnar um tęknilegar višskiptahindranir (hér į eftir nefndur „WTO-samningurinn um tęknilegar višskiptahindranir“), sem og įkvaršanir og tilmęli sem WTO-samninganefndin um tęknilegar višskiptahindranir hefur samžykkt frį og meš 1. janśar 1995.
2.    Samningsašilarnir skulu auka samvinnu sķn į milli į sviši tęknilegra reglna, stašla og samręmismats meš žaš fyrir augum aš auka gagnkvęman skilning į skipulagi sķnu og aušvelda ašgang aš mörkušum sķnum. Samningsašilarnir skulu, ķ žessu skyni og ef žess er óskaš, skiptast į upplżsingum og meta įn tafar hvers kyns beišnir um samstarf. Samstarf getur veriš fólgiš ķ žvķ:
a)    aš hvetja til žess aš WTO-samningnum um tęknilegar višskiptahindranir sé beitt,
b)    aš bęta ašferšir viš reglu- og stašlasetningu,

c)    aš greiša fyrir samręmingu į tęknireglugeršum į alžjóšavķsu,
d)    aš stušla aš žvķ aš alžjóšlegir stašlar verši grunnur aš tęknireglugeršum, ž.m.t. reglur um samręmismat,
e)    aš skiptast į upplżsingum um żmsar leišir til aš aušvelda samžykki į nišurstöšum samręmismats,
f)    aš stušla aš faggildingu ašila, sem annast samręmismat, į grundvelli višeigandi stašla og leišbeininga Alžjóšlegu stašlasamtakanna (ISO)/Alžjóšaraftękninefndarinnar (IEC), og

g)    aš bera kennsl į og meta hugsanlega gerninga til aš aušvelda višskipti, s.s. jafngildar tęknireglugeršir og gagnkvęma višurkenningu į nišurstöšum samręmismats.
3.    Samningsašilarnir samžykkja, meš fyrirvara um réttindi og skyldur sķnar samkvęmt WTO-samningnum um tęknilegar višskiptahindranir, aš hafa meš sér samrįš innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar um hvert žaš mįl sem upp kann aš koma vegna beitingar tiltekinna tęknilegra reglna, stašla og ašferša viš samręmismat, ef slķk beiting hefur eša gęti oršiš hindrun ķ višskiptum milli samningsašilanna, meš žaš aš markmiši aš finna višeigandi lausn ķ samręmi viš WTO-samninginn um tęknilegar višskiptahindranir.

14. gr.
Rįšstafanir į sviši hollustuhįtta og heilbrigši dżra og plantna.
1.    Įkvęši WTO-samningsins um beitingu rįšstafana um hollustuhętti og heilbrigši dżra og plantna eiga viš um réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna aš žvķ er varšar rįšstafanir į sviši hollustuhįtta og heilbrigši dżra og plantna (hér į eftir nefndur „WTO- samningurinn um hollustuhętti og heilbrigši dżra og plantna“).
2.    Samningsašilarnir skulu auka samstarf sitt į sviši hollustuhįtta og heilbrigši dżra og plantna meš žaš fyrir augum aš auka gagnkvęman skilning į skipulagi sķnu og aušvelda ašgang aš mörkušum sķnum. Slķkt samstarf getur veriš fólgiš ķ samrįši sérfręšinga.
3.    Ef samningsašili telur aš annar samningsašili hafi gert rįšstafanir, sem lķklegt mį telja aš hafi eša hafi haft įhrif į ašgang aš markaši hans, skal boša til samrįšsfunda sérfręšinga ķ žvķ skyni aš finna višeigandi lausn ķ samręmi viš WTO-samninginn um hollustuhętti og heilbrigši dżra og plantna. Slķkt samrįš getur fariš fram bęši innan og utan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar. Samningsašilarnir skulu skiptast į nöfnum og heimilisföngum tengiliša meš séržekkingu į hollustuhįttum og heilbrigši dżra og plantna ķ žvķ skyni aš aušvelda samskipti og upplżsingaskipti.
4.    Allir samningar milli samningsašilanna skulu vera ķ samręmi viš landslög žeirra og tryggja hollustu- og heilbrigši dżra og plantna, bęši ķ einstökum SACU-rķkjum og SACU-rķkjunum ķ heild.
5.    Samningsašilarnir lżsa yfir fylgi viš stašla, sem alžjóšastofnanir sem višurkenndar eru samkvęmt WTO-samningnum um hollustuhętti og heilbrigši dżra og plantna, setja, aš teknu tilliti til žess aš sum SACU-rķkjanna hafa ekki undirritaš alžjóšasamninginn um plöntuvernd.

15. gr.
Samkeppni.
1.    Samningsašilarnir višurkenna aš tilteknir višskiptahęttir, s.s. samningar sem fela ķ sér samkeppnishömlur eša samstilltar ašgeršir og misnotkun į yfirburšastöšu, geta hindraš višskipti milli žeirra og žar meš komiš ķ veg fyrir aš markmišum žessa samnings verši nįš.
2.    Samningsašila, sem telur aš einhverjir starfshęttir, sem um getur ķ 1. mgr., hafi neikvęš įhrif į rekstur žessa samnings, er heimilt aš fara fram į žaš viš žann eša žį samningsašila, sem eiga landsvęši žar sem slķkir starfshęttir eru upprunnir, aš hann eša žeir gangi til samstarfs viš hann ķ žvķ skyni aš binda enda į umrędda starfshętti eša neikvęš įhrif žeirra. Samstarfiš gengur mešal annars śt į, aš svo miklu leyti sem landslög heimila žaš, gagnkvęm skipti į upplżsingum sem samningsašilarnir hafa ašgang aš og snerta žaš mįlefni sem um ręšir.
3.    Ef samstarf žeirra samningsašila sem mįliš snertir meš beinum hętti, skv. 2. mgr., leišir ekki til lausnar getur sį samningsašili, sem veršur fyrir neikvęšum įhrifum, óskaš eftir aš fram fari samrįš innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar ķ žvķ skyni aš finna lausn sem bįšir ašilar geta sętt sig viš.

16. gr.
Styrkir.
1.    Fariš skal meš réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna varšandi styrki og jöfnunarrįšstafanir ķ samręmi viš VI. og XVI. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 og WTO-samninginn um styrki og jöfnunarrįšstafanir, nema kvešiš sé į um annaš ķ 2. mgr.

2.    Įšur en EFTA-rķki eša SACU hefur rannsókn ķ žvķ skyni aš įkvarša hvort og aš hve miklu leyti styrkir eru veittir ķ SACU- eša EFTA-rķki og įhrif žeirra, eins og kvešiš er į um ķ 11. gr. samningsins um styrki og jöfnunarrįšstafanir, skal samningsašilinn, sem hyggst hefja rannsókn, senda skriflega tilkynningu um žaš til žess samningsašila sem vörurnar, sem rannsókninni er beint aš, tilheyra og veita 30 daga frest til aš leita lausnar sem bįšir ašilar geta sętt sig viš. Efna skal til samrįšs innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar ef einhver samningsašilanna fer fram į žaš innan 10 daga frį vištöku tilkynningarinnar.

17. gr.
Undirboš.
1.    Fariš skal meš réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna, višvķkjandi žvķ aš rįšstöfunum gegn undirbošum sé beitt, ķ samręmi viš VI. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 og samninginn um framkvęmd VI. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994.
2.    Eftir aš EFTA-rķki eša SACU móttekur vel rökstutt erindi og įšur en rannsókn er hafin, samkvęmt įkvęšum samningsins sem um getur ķ 1. mgr., skal sį samningsašili tilkynna žeim samningsašila sem talinn er bjóša vörur sķnar į undirbošskjörum um žaš skriflega og bjóša honum til samrįšs ķ žvķ skyni aš finna lausn į mįlinu, sem bįšir ašilar geta sętt sig viš, innan 30 daga. Tilkynna skal hinum samningsašilunum um nišurstöšur samrįšsins. Efna skal til samrįšs innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar fari samningsašili fram į žaš innan 10 daga frį vištöku tilkynningarinnar.

18. gr.
Vķštękar verndarrįšstafanir.
    Samningsašilarnir stašfesta réttindi sķn og skyldur skv. XIX. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 og WTO-samningnum um verndarrįšstafanir.

19. gr.
Neyšarrįšstafanir vegna innflutnings tiltekinna framleišsluvara.
1.    Ef framleišsluvara, sem er upprunnin ķ EFTA- rķki eša SACU, er flutt inn į yfirrįšasvęši EFTA- rķkis eša SACU ķ žaš auknu magni, į grundvelli žess aš tollar hafa veriš lękkašir eša afnumdir samkvęmt žessum samningi, og viš slķk skilyrši aš žaš veldur eša gęti valdiš alvarlegu tjóni fyrir innlenda framleišendur sambęrilegra vara eša samkeppnisvara į yfirrįšasvęši samningsašilans, er honum heimilt aš grķpa til neyšarrįšstafana meš žeim skilyršum og ķ samręmi viš mįlsmešferšina sem męlt er fyrir um ķ žessari grein.
2.    EFTA-rķki eša SACU, sem hyggst grķpa til neyšarrįšstafana, skal veita sameiginlegu nefndinni allar višeigandi upplżsingar, eins fljótt og aušiš er og įšur en gripiš er til slķkrar rįšstöfunar, ķ žvķ skyni aš leita lausnar sem allir ašilar geta sętt sig viš.
3.    Meš neyšarrįšstöfunum skal ekki ganga lengra en naušsynlegt telst til aš rįša bót į žeim erfišleikum sem upp hafa komiš og ķ žeim skal alla jafna felast frestun į frekari lękkun gildandi tolla, sem kvešiš er į um ķ žessum samningi, į viškomandi framleišsluvörum eša hękkun tolla į žeim framleišsluvörum.
4.    Ķ fyrrnefndum rįšstöfunum skulu fólgnir skżrir įhrifavaldar sem ógilda žęr ķ įföngum eigi sķšar en ķ lok žess tķmabils sem tilgreint er. Rįšstafanir skulu ekki geršar til lengri tķma en eins įrs. Viš mjög óvenjulegar ašstęšur er heimilt aš gera rįšstafanir lengst til žriggja įra.
5.    Sameiginlega nefndin skal, innan 30 daga frį dagsetningu tilkynningarinnar, rannsaka žęr upplżsingar sem eru veittar skv. 2. mgr. ķ žeim tilgangi aš greiša fyrir lausn mįlsins žannig aš bįšir ašilar geti viš unaš. Ef engin lausn finnst er samningsašilanum, sem er innflytjandi, heimilt aš samžykkja višeigandi rįšstöfun skv. 1. mgr. til aš rįša bót į vandanum. Tilkynna skal sameiginlegu nefndinni žegar ķ staš um žį neyšarrįšstöfun. Neyšarrįšstöfun skal velja meš tilliti til žess aš valda sem minnstri röskun į framkvęmd žessa samnings.
6.    Ef ašstęšur eru tvķsżnar og tafir myndu valda skaša, sem erfitt yrši aš bęta, er viškomandi EFTA- rķki eša SACU heimilt aš grķpa til tķmabundinnar neyšarrįšstöfunar, liggi fyrir brįšabirgšaįkvöršun žess efnis aš óyggjandi sönnun sé fyrir žvķ aš aukinn innflutningur hafi valdiš alvarlegum skaša eša aš hętta sé į žvķ. Samningsašili sem hyggst grķpa til slķkrar rįšstöfunar skal žegar ķ staš tilkynna hinum samningsašilunum um žaš og hefja višeigandi mįlsmešferš skv. 2. mgr.



20. gr.
Verndarrįšstafanir į sviši landbśnašar.
1.    Grķpa ber til verndarrįšstafana į sviši landbśnašarvara, samkvęmt skilyršunum sem męlt er fyrir um ķ 1. mgr. 19. gr.
2.    Rįšstöfun skal ekki vara lengur en eitt įr og getur hśn falist ķ öšru hvoru af eftirfarandi:

a)    hękkun innflutningsgjalda į žeirri vöru sem um ręšir en ekki umfram žį tolla į vöruna sem bestukjaramešferš veitir og eru ķ gildi žann dag žegar rįšstöfunin er gerš, eša
b)    upptöku innflutningskvóta fyrir frķšindavišskipti, sem grundvallast į višskiptamagni nęstu fimm įr į undan, aš undanskildu žvķ innflutningsflęši sem leiddi til žess aš naušsynlegt var aš grķpa til verndarrįšstafana.
3.    Įšur en samningsašili grķpur til verndarrįšstöfunar skal hann senda hinum samningsašilunum skriflega tilkynningu um žį rįšstöfun sem til stendur aš gera. Samningsašilinn, sem sendir frį sér tilkynningu, skal, innan 60 daga frį žvķ aš tilkynning er send śt, leggja fram allar upplżsingar um verndarrįšstöfunina sem mįli skipta. Aš fenginni beišni skal sį samningsašili hafa samrįš viš žann eša žį samningsašila sem verša fyrir neikvęšum įhrifum um žau skilyrši sem rįšstöfununum veršur beitt viš.

21. gr.
Sérstakar rįšstafanir ef um skipulagsbreytingar er aš ręša.
1.    Ef framleišsluvara, sem er upprunnin ķ EFTA- rķki, er flutt inn į yfirrįšasvęši SACU-rķkis ķ žaš auknu magni og viš slķk skilyrši aš žaš veldur eša gęti valdiš alvarlegri röskun į nżišju eša atvinnugrein, sem veriš er aš endurskipuleggja, er SACU heimilt aš grķpa til sérstakra tķmabundinna neyšarrįšstafana ķ formi hękkašra tolla eša meš žvķ aš innleiša tolla į nż.
2.    Innflutningstollar SACU į vörur upprunnar ķ EFTA-rķkjunum, sem komiš er į meš žessum rįšstöfunum, mega ekki vera hęrri en tollar sem bestukjaramešferš veitir og skulu višhalda frķšindum aš hluta fyrir vörur sem eru upprunnar ķ EFTA-rķkjunum. Heildarveršmęti allra innfluttra framleišsluvara, sem žessar rįšstafanir nį til, skal ekki vera yfir 15% af heildarveršmęti innfluttra vara frį EFTA- rķkjunum į sķšasta įri sem hagtölur nį yfir.

3.    Sérstakar rįšstafanir skulu ekki vara lengur en ķ fjögur įr. Žęr skulu falla śr gildi eigi sķšar en viš lok lengsta ašlögunartķmabils sem er nķu įr. Ķ undantekningartilvikum er heimilt er aš framlengja žessi tķmamörk meš įkvöršun sameiginlegu nefndarinnar.

4.    Óheimilt er aš gera fyrrnefndar rįšstafanir vegna framleišsluvara ef lengri tķmi en žrjś įr er lišinn frį žvķ aš allir tollar voru felldir nišur svo og magntakmarkanir eša gjöld eša rįšstafanir sem hafa samsvarandi įhrif į framleišsluvöruna.
5.    SACU ber aš tilkynna sameiginlegu nefndinni um allar sérstakar rįšstafanir sem žaš hyggst gera og, aš beišni EFTA-rķkjanna, hafa samrįš um žęr įšur en til žess kemur til aš finna megi įsęttanlega lausn. Tilkynningin skal innihalda leišbeinandi tķmaįętlun um fyrirhugaša innleišingu tolla og afnįm žeirra sķšar.

6.    Liggi ekki fyrir samkomulag um fyrirhugašar rįšstafanir, sem um getur hér aš framan, innan 30 daga frį tilkynningu er SACU heimilt aš gera višeigandi rįšstafanir til aš rįša bót į vandanum og afhenda sameiginlegu nefndinni endanlega tķmaįętlun um afnįm tollanna sem lagšir eru į samkvęmt žessari grein. Ķ įętluninni skal gera grein fyrir afnįmi tollanna ķ jöfnum įrlegum įföngum og skal fyrsti įfangi hefjast eigi sķšar en einu įri eftir aš žeim er komiš į. Sameiginlega nefndin getur tekiš įkvöršun um annars konar įętlun.

22. gr.
Erfišleikar vegna greišslujafnašar.
1.    Įkvęši XII. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 gilda um réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna aš žvķ er varšar takmarkandi rįšstafanir til aš tryggja greišslujöfnuš og eru žau hér meš felld inn ķ samning žennan sem hluti af honum.
2.    Samningsašili, sem grķpur til ašgerša samkvęmt žessari grein, skal žegar ķ staš tilkynna hinum samningsašilunum og sameiginlegu nefndinni um žaš.

23. gr.
Almennar undantekningar.
    Įkvęši XX. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 gilda um réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna aš žvķ er varšar almennar undantekningar og eru žau hér meš felld inn ķ samning žennan sem hluti af honum.

24. gr.
Undantekningar af öryggisįstęšum.
    Įkvęši XXI. gr. GATT-samningsins frį 1994 gilda um réttindi og skyldur samningsašilanna meš tilliti til undantekninga af öryggisįstęšum og eru žau hér meš felld inn ķ samning žennan sem hluti af honum.

25. gr.
Sérstök mešferš fyrir Botsvana, Lesótó, Namibķu og Svasķland.
1.    Botsvana, Lesótó, Namibķu og Svasķlandi er heimilt, ķ samręmi viš 26. gr. SACU-samningsins frį 2002, aš leggja į tķmabundna innflutningstolla til aš vernda nżišju. Slķkir tollar skulu lagšir jafnt į vörur, upprunnar ķ öšrum SACU-rķkjum, og vörur upprunnar ķ löndum utan SACU.
2.    Botsvana, Lesótó, Namibķu og Svasķlandi er heimilt aš takmarka tķmabundiš innflutning eša śtflutning į vörum, vegna byggšažróunar ķ dreifbżli, matvęlaöryggis og til aš draga śr fįtękt, į žann hįtt aš ekki fari ķ bįga viš WTO-samninginn. Žį ber og aš grķpa til fyrrnefndra rįšstafana gagnvart öllum öšrum löndum.
3.    Samningsašili, sem hyggst gera rįšstafanir ķ samręmi viš 1. og 2. mgr., skal tilkynna žaš sameiginlegu nefndinni og vera undir žaš bśinn aš ręša mįliš ķ sameiginlegu nefndinni fari annar samningsašili fram į žaš.

III. KAFLI
HUGVERK
26. gr.
Hugverkaréttur.
1.    Til „hugverka“ teljast einkum höfundarréttur, ž.m.t. tölvuforrit og söfn gagna, og skyld réttindi, vörumerki sem auškenna vöru og žjónustu, landfręšilegar merkingar, išnhönnun, einkaleyfi, yrki, svęšislżsingar smįrįsa svo og óbirtar upplżsingar.


2.    Samningsašilarnir skulu gera rįšstafanir til aš veita og tryggja fullnęgjandi og įhrifarķka vernd hugverkaréttar įn mismununar, ž.m.t. rįšstafanir til aš vernda žessi réttindi gegn brotum, einkum eftirlķkingu og ólöglegri nżtingu, ķ samręmi viš įkvęši žessarar greinar og skuldbindingar, samkvęmt alžjóšasamningum sem žeir eiga ašild aš.

3.    Samningsašilarnir skulu ekki veita rķkisborgurum hinna samningsašilanna lakari mešferš en žeir veita eigin rķkisborgurum. Undanžįgur frį žessari skyldu skulu veittar ķ samręmi viš efnisįkvęši 3. og 5. gr. WTO-samningsins um hugverkarétt ķ višskiptum (hér į eftir nefndur „samningurinn um hugverkarétt ķ višskiptum“).

4.    Samningsašilarnir skulu ekki veita rķkisborgurum annarra samningsašila lakari mešferš en veitt er rķkisborgurum annarra rķkja. Undanžįgur frį žessari skuldbindingu skulu vera ķ samręmi viš efnisįkvęši samningsins um hugverkarétt ķ višskiptum, einkum 4. og 5. gr.
5.    EFTA-rķkin og SACU stašfesta žį skuldbindingu sķna aš endurskoša žennan kafla, eigi sķšar en fimm įrum eftir gildistöku žessa samnings, ķ žvķ skyni aš samręma ķ įföngum lagaramma sķna um hugverkarétt.

6.    Naušsynlegt samrįš skal fara fram, aš beišni samningsašila og ķ žvķ skyni aš finna lausn sem mįlsašilar geta sętt sig viš, til žess aš unnt sé aš foršast eša rįša bót į röskun ķ višskiptum sem rekja mį til yfirstandandi verndunar hugverkaréttar.

IV. KAFLI
ŽJÓNUSTUSTARFSEMI, FJĮRFESTINGAR OG OPINBER INNKAUP
27. gr.
Žjónustustarfsemi.
1.    Um leiš og samningsašilarnir višurkenna aš žjónustustarfsemi hefur ę meiri žżšingu fyrir efnahagsžróun žeirra leggja žeir įherslu į mikilvęgi žess aš įkvęši Hins almenna samnings um žjónustuvišskipti (hér į eftir nefndur „samningurinn um žjónustuvišskipti“) séu aš öllu leyti virt.
2.    Samningsašilarnir skulu leitast viš aš rżmka gildissviš žessa samnings meš žaš ķ huga aš auka enn frekar frelsi ķ žjónustuvišskiptum sķn į milli. Sameiginlega nefndin skal semja naušsynleg tilmęli til aš nį žessu markmiši eigi sķšar en fimm įrum eftir gildistöku žessa samnings. Sameiginlega nefndin skal taka miš af žeirri reynslu sem hefur veriš aflaš viš framkvęmd skuldbindinga samningsašilanna, samkvęmt samningnum um žjónustuvišskipti žegar hśn undirbżr tilmęlin.
3.    Ef samningsašili gerir samning, sem er skilgreindur ķ V. gr. samningsins um žjónustuvišskipti, skal hann, aš beišni annarra samningsašila, veita žeim nęgilegt tękifęri til aš reyna aš nį, m.a. meš hugsanlegum samningavišręšum, sambęrilegum skilmįlum, hlutašeigandi ašilum til hagsbóta.

28. gr.
Fjįrfestingar.
1.    Samningsašilarnir skulu gera sér far um aš semja og višhalda traustri og gagnsęrri fjįrfestingaįętlun og skulu ekki skaša umsżslu, višhald, notkun, nżtingu eša rįšstöfun fjįrfestinga fjįrfesta hinna samningsašilanna meš óréttlįtum ašgeršum eša ašgeršum sem fela ķ sér mismunun. Samningsašilarnir skulu leyfa fjįrfestingar fjįrfesta hinna samningsašilanna ķ samręmi viš lög sķn og reglur.
2.    Samningsašilarnir višurkenna mikilvęgi žess aš stušla aš flęši fjįrfestinga og tękni yfir landamęri sem leišar til aukins hagvaxtar og žróunar. Slķk samvinna getur m.a. falist ķ:

a)    aš leggja til višeigandi leišir til aš finna fjįrfestingartękifęri og mišla upplżsingum um fjįrfestingarreglur,
b)    aš lįta ķ té upplżsingar um rįšstafanir samningsašilanna til aš żta undir fjįrfestingar erlendis (tękniašstoš, fjįrstušning, fjįrfestingartryggingar o.s.frv.),
c)    aš žróa lagaumhverfi sem hvetur til aukins flęši fjįrfestinga, og
d)    aš žróa fyrirkomulag sameiginlegra fjįrfestinga, einkum mešal lķtilla og mešalstórra fyrirtękja.

3.    Samningsašilarnir višurkenna aš óvišeigandi er aš hvetja til fjįrfestinga meš žvķ aš draga śr kröfum um heilsufar og öryggi eša kröfum į sviši umhverfismįla.
4.    Samningsašilarnir stašfesta žį skuldbindingu sķna aš endurskoša mįlefni varšandi fjįrfestingar ķ sameiginlegu nefndinni eigi sķšar en fimm įrum eftir gildistöku žessa samnings. Ef samningsašili skapar, eftir gildistöku žessa samnings, ašila, sem stendur utan žessa samnings, hagstęšara fjįrfestingaumhverfi en gert er rįš fyrir samkvęmt žessum samningi skal hann veita hinum samningsašilunum nęgilegt tękifęri til žess aš reyna aš nį, m.a. meš hugsanlegum samningavišręšum, sambęrilegum skilmįlum sem eru öllum ašilum til hagsbóta.

29. gr.
Opinber innkaup.
1.    Samningsašilarnir eru sammįla um mikilvęgi samstarfs til žess aš auka gagnkvęman skilning į lögum og reglum hvers um sig er lśta aš opinberum innkaupum.
2.    Samningsašilarnir skulu birta lög sķn eša veita almenningi ašgang meš öšrum hętti aš lögum sķnum, reglum og almennum stjórnsżsluśrskuršum sem hafa almenna skķrskotun. Samningsašilarnir eru sammįla um aš mikilvęgt sé aš svara tilteknum spurningum um lög sķn og reglur og skżra hver fyrir öšrum mįl af žvķ tagi, aš fenginni beišni žar um.
3.    Samningsašilarnir skulu, eigi sķšar en fimm įrum eftir gildistöku žessa samnings, hafa meš sér samrįš innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar til žess aš fjalla um rįšstafanir sem gera skal ķ žvķ skyni aš opna markaši sķna fyrir opinber innkaup meš gagnkvęmum hętti. Ef samningsašili veitir, eftir gildistöku žessa samnings, ašila sem stendur utan žessa samnings, hagstęšari skilmįla aš žvķ er varšar ašgang aš mörkušum sķnum fyrir opinber innkaup en kvešiš er į um ķ žessum samningi, skal hann veita hinum samningsašilunum nęgilegt tękifęri til žess aš reyna aš nį, m.a. meš hugsanlegum samningavišręšum, sambęrilegum skilmįlum hlutašeigandi ašilum til hagsbóta.

V. KAFLI
EFNAHAGSSAMVINNA OG TĘKNIAŠSTOŠ
30. gr.
Markmiš og gildissviš.
1.    Samningsašilarnir lżsa sig reišubśna til žess aš żta undir efnahagssamvinnu meš skilyršum sem gagnkvęmt samkomulag er um og ķ samręmi viš innlend stefnumiš.
2.    EFTA-rķkin skulu lįta SACU-rķkjunum ķ té tękniašstoš ķ žvķ skyni:
a)    aš greiša fyrir žvķ aš heildarmarkmišum žessa samnings verši nįš, einkum til žess aš glęša višskipti og fjölga fjįrfestingartękifęrum sem hann veitir,
b)    aš styšja višleitni SACU-rķkjanna til žess aš koma į sjįlfbęrri, efnahagslegri og félagslegri žróun.
3.    Meš ašstoš EFTA-rķkjanna skal leggja įherslu į žęr atvinnugreinar, sem aukiš frelsi og endurskipulagning hagkerfa SACU-rķkjanna hafa įhrif į, og žęr atvinnugreinar sem lķklegt mį telja aš fęri hagkerfi EFTA-rķkjanna og SACU-rķkjanna nęr hvert öšru, einkum žęr sem auka hagvöxt og bęta atvinnuįstand.

31. gr.
Ašferšir og leišir.
1.    Samningsašilarnir skulu vinna saman ķ žvķ skyni aš finna og beita įrangursrķkustu ašferšum og leišum sem völ er į til aš hrinda įkvęšum žessa kafla ķ framkvęmd. Meš žetta aš markmiši skulu žeir samręma ašgeršir sķnar og višeigandi alžjóšastofnana.
2.    Taka skal miš af umhverfisvernd žegar ašstoš viš hinar żmsu atvinnugreinar, sem mįliš varšar, er hrundiš ķ framkvęmd.
3.    Ašstoš getur m.a. falist ķ:
a)    upplżsingaskiptum, mišlun séržekkingar og žjįlfun,
b)    sameiginlegum ašgeršum, t.d. mįlžingum og mįlstofum, og
c)    ašstoš į sviši tękni og stjórnsżslu.

32. gr.
Sviš samvinnu.
1.    Samningsašilarnir skulu, ķ žvķ skyni aš greiša fyrir framkvęmd žessa samnings, samžykkja višeigandi ašferšir viš aš veita tękniašstoš og žaš form sem skal vera į samvinnu yfirvalda eins samningsašila viš yfirvöld annars. Samningsašilarnir skulu, ķ žessu skyni, samręma ašgeršir sķnar og ašgeršir viškomandi alžjóšastofnana.
2.    Ašstoš getur nįš til valinna sviša, sem samningsašilarnir hafa komist aš sameiginlegri nišurstöšu um aš geti aukiš getu SACU-rķkjanna til aš hagnast af auknum heimsvišskiptum og alžjóšlegum fjįrfestingum, einkum mį nefna:
a)    višskiptastefnu og žaš aš greiša fyrir višskiptum og efla žau,
b)    tolla- og upprunamįl,
c)    tęknireglugeršir, stašla- og samręmismat og rįšstafanir į sviši hollustuhįtta og heilbrigši dżra og plantna,
d)    stašbundna fyrirtękjažróun, og
e)    ašstoš viš reglusetningu og lagaframkvęmd į svišum į borš viš žjónustustarfsemi, fjįrfestingar, hugverk og opinber innkaup.
3.    Tękniašstoš į žeim svišum sem um getur ķ c-liš 2. mgr. skal mešal annars veita til žess aš auka afkastagetu, žróa grunnvirki, auka žįtttöku ķ alžjóšlegri stašlasetningu og aš bęta įhęttumat.

4.    Rķkisstjórn Noregs skal, sem vörsluašili skv. 44. gr., leita eftir samvinnu viš SACU-skrifstofuna ķ žvķ skyni aš auka hęfni SACU-skrifstofunnar į öllum svišum sem vörsluašili sinnir.


VI. KAFLI
STOFNANAĮKVĘŠI OG MĮLSMEŠFERŠARĮKVĘŠI
33. gr.
Sameiginlega nefndin.
1.    Sameiginleg nefnd skal hafa umsjón meš og annast framkvęmd žessa samnings. Hver samningsašili skal eiga fulltrśa ķ sameiginlegu nefndinni. Fulltrśi EFTA-rķkis og fulltrśi SACU-rķkis skulu gegna formennsku sameiginlega ķ sameiginlegu nefndinni.

2.    Samningsašilarnir skulu, til žess aš framkvęmd žessa samnings verši eins og til er ętlast, skiptast į upplżsingum og, aš beišni samningsašila, efna til samrįšs innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar um hvers kyns efni er lżtur aš tślkun og beitingu žessa samnings. Sameiginlega nefndin getur kannaš žann kost aš fjarlęgja frekar žęr hindranir sem eru ķ vegi fyrir višskiptum milli samningsašilanna.
3.    Sameiginlegu nefndinni er heimilt aš taka įkvaršanir ķ mįlum sem kvešiš er į um ķ žessum samningi. Ķ öšrum mįlum er sameiginlegu nefndinni heimilt aš leggja tillögur fyrir samningsašilana.

34. gr.
Störf sameiginlegu nefndarinnar.
1.    Halda skal fyrsta fund sameiginlegu nefndarinnar eigi sķšar en einu įri eftir gildistöku žessa samnings. Til aš annast framkvęmd žessa samnings, eins og til er ętlast, skal sameiginlega nefndin koma saman eins oft og naušsyn ber til, aš beišni samningsašila, og eigi sjaldnar en annaš hvert įr.
2.    Įkvaršanir sameiginlegu nefndarinnar skulu teknar meš samhljóša samžykki.
3.    Hafi fulltrśi samningsašila ķ sameiginlegu nefndinni samžykkt įkvöršun meš fyrirvara um aš stjórnskipulegum skilyršum verši fullnęgt skal įkvöršunin taka gildi žann dag žegar tilkynningu um aš naušsynlegum stjórnskipulegum skilyršum hafi veriš fullnęgt er veitt vištaka, ef ekki er kvešiš į um sķšari gildistökudag ķ įkvöršuninni.
4.    Samkvęmt žessum samningi setur sameiginlega nefndin sér starfsreglur er kveša m.a. į um fundarbošun, tilnefningu sameiginlegra formanna og skipunartķma žeirra.

5.    Sameiginlega nefndin getur įkvešiš aš skipa undirnefndir og vinnuhópa sem hśn telur žörf į sér til ašstošar viš aš inna skyldur sķnar af hendi.

35. gr.
Samrįš.
1.    Samningsašilarnir skulu gera allar naušsynlegar rįšstafanir til aš uppfylla skuldbindingar sķnar samkvęmt žessum samningi. Komi ķ ljós aš tślkun og beiting žessa samnings sé meš mismunandi hętti skulu samningsašilarnir, į grundvelli samvinnu og samrįšs, gera sitt żtrasta til aš finna lausn sem hlutašeigandi ašilar geta sętt sig viš.
2.    Samningsašili getur, meš skriflegum hętti, fariš fram į samrįš viš annan samningsašila um rįšstafanir sem hafa veriš geršar eša eru fyrirhugašar eša önnur mįlefni sem hann telur aš geti haft įhrif į rekstur žessa samnings. Samningsašili, sem fer fram į samrįš, skal jafnframt tilkynna hinum samningsašilunum skriflega um žaš og veita allar višeigandi upplżsingar.
3.    Samrįš skal fara fram innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar, ef einhver samningsašilanna fer fram į žaš, innan 20 daga frį vištöku tilkynningarinnar, sem um getur ķ 2. mgr., ķ žvķ skyni aš finna lausn sem bįšir ašilar geta sętt sig viš.

36. gr.
Brįšabirgšarįšstafanir.
    Telji samningsašili aš annar samningsašili hafi ekki uppfyllt skuldbindingu, samkvęmt žessum samningi, og hafi sameiginlega nefndin ekki fundiš lausn, sem bįšir ašilar geta sętt sig viš, innan 90 daga frį žvķ aš tekiš er į móti beišni um samrįš innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar, er hlutašeigandi samningsašila heimilt aš gera žęr brįšabirgšarįšstafanir til endurskipulagningar sem teljast višeigandi og alveg naušsynlegar til aš jafnvęgi komist aftur į. Gera skal žęr rįšstafanir helst sem valda sem minnstri röskun į framkvęmd samnings žessa. Tilkynna skal samningsašilunum og sameiginlegu nefndinni žegar ķ staš um žęr rįšstafanirnar sem geršar hafa veriš og skal nefndin halda reglulega samrįšsfundi ķ žvķ skyni aš afnema žęr. Rįšstöfunum skal hętt žegar ašstęšur réttlęta žęr ekki lengur eša, ef deilan er lögš ķ gerš, žegar śrskuršur geršardóms liggur fyrir og honum hefur veriš framfylgt.

37. gr.
Geršardómsmešferš.
1.    Einum deiluašila eša fleirum er heimilt, meš skriflegri tilkynningu til žess samningsašila sem kvörtun beinist gegn, aš leggja deilur ķ gerš sem lśta aš tślkun į réttindum og skyldum samningsašilanna, samkvęmt žessum samningi, og ekki hefur tekist aš leysa, skv. 35. gr., ķ beinum višręšum eša innan sameiginlegu nefndarinnar innan 90 daga frį vištökudegi skriflegrar beišni um samrįš. Senda ber öllum samningsašilum afrit af tilkynningunni.


2.    Heimilt er aš leysa deilur vegna mįls, er varšar bęši žennan samning og WTO-samninginn, į vettvangi annars hvors žeirra aš vali kęranda. Sį vettvangur sem žannig er valinn skal notašur eingöngu. Įšur en samningsašili hefur mįlsmešferš til lausnar deilumįli samkvęmt WTO-samningnum gegn einum samningsašila eša fleirum skal hann tilkynna öllum öšrum samningsašilum um fyrirętlan sķna.

3.    Geršardómurinn skal skipašur žremur geršarmönnum. Hver deiluašili um sig skal tilnefna geršarmann, innan 30 daga frį žeim degi žegar tilkynningu er veitt vištaka, og skulu geršarmennirnir tveir, innan 30 daga frį žeim degi žegar sķšari tilnefningin fer fram, skipa žrišja geršarmanninn sem skal sitja ķ forsęti geršardómsins. Forseti geršardómsins skal hvorki vera rķkisborgari deiluašila né hafa fasta bśsetu į yfirrįšasvęši hvorugs žeirra. Ef fleiri en eitt EFTA-rķki eša fleiri en eitt SACU-rķki eiga ašild aš deilunni skulu žeir ašilar tilnefna einn geršarmann ķ sameiningu.
4.    Ef annar hvor deiluašilinn tilnefnir ekki geršarmann sinn eša komi tilnefndir geršarmenn sér ekki saman um žrišja geršarmanninn innan žess frests, sem er tilgreindur ķ 3. mgr., er hvorum deiluašila um sig heimilt aš fara žess į leit viš forseta Alžjóšadómstólsins ķ Haag aš hann annist žį skipun sem naušsynleg er.
5.    Geršardómurinn skal setja nišur deiluna ķ samręmi viš įkvęši žessa samnings og hefšbundnar reglur um tślkun žjóšaréttar.

6.    Valkvęšar reglur Alžjóšageršardómsins ķ Haag um geršardómsmešferš deilna milli tveggja rķkja, sem öšlušust gildi 20. október 1992, gilda, nema annaš sé tekiš fram ķ žessum samningi eša deiluašilar komi sér saman um annaš.
7.    Samningsašili, sem į ekki ašild aš deilunni, skal, žegar deiluašilar fį ķ hendur skriflega tilkynningu, eiga rétt į aš fį skriflegar greinargeršir deiluašila afhentar og vera višstaddur žinghald sem įheyrnarfulltrśi.
8.    Įkvaršanir geršardómsins skulu teknar meš einföldum meirihluta atkvęša.
9.    Deiluašilar skulu, aš öllu jöfnu, skipta kostnaši vegna geršardóms jafnt, ž.m.t. žóknunum til geršarmanna. Geršardómurinn getur engu aš sķšur įkvešiš aš kostnašarhluti annars deiluašilans skuli vera hęrri, m.a. meš hlišsjón af fjįrhagsstöšu hlutašeigandi samningsašila.


10.    Žessi grein gildir ekki um 15. gr. og III. og IV. kafla.

VII. KAFLI
LOKAĮKVĘŠI
38. gr.
Žróunarįkvęši.
1.    Samningsašilar skuldbinda sig til aš endurskoša žennan samning ķ ljósi frekari žróunar efnahagslegra samskipta į alžjóšavettvangi, m.a. į vettvangi Alžjóšavišskiptastofnunarinnar, og kanna tękifęri til aš žróa og styrkja enn frekar žaš samstarf sem žessi samningur kvešur į um og fella undir hann mįlefni sem liggja utan viš gildissviš hans. Samningsašilarnir geta fališ sameiginlegu nefndinni aš kanna žennan kost og leggja tillögur fyrir žį, eftir žvķ sem viš į, einkum ķ žvķ skyni aš hefja samningsvišręšur.
2.    Endurskošun žessa samnings, višbętur viš hann og breytingar į honum, sem leišir af mįlsmešferšinni sem um getur ķ 1. gr., skulu vera ķ samręmi viš įkvęši 40. gr.

39. gr.
Višaukar.
    Višaukarnir viš samning žennan eru óašskiljanlegur hluti hans. Sameiginlegu nefndinni er heimilt, meš fyrirvara um stjórnskipuleg skilyrši hvers samningsašila, aš įkveša aš breyta višaukunum.

40. gr.
Breytingar.
1.    Sérhverjum samningsašila er heimilt aš gera tillögur um breytingar į žessum samningi til sameiginlegu nefndarinnar til umfjöllunar og samžykktar.
2.    Žegar sameiginlega nefndin hefur samžykkt breytingar į žessum samningi skulu žęr lagšar fyrir samningsašila til fullgildingar, stašfestingar eša samžykkis, samkvęmt stjórnskipulegum skilyršum hvers samningsašila.
3.    Breytingarnar öšlast gildi į fyrsta degi žrišja mįnašar eftir aš sķšasta skjališ um fullgildingu, stašfestingu eša samžykki hefur veriš afhent til vörslu, nema samningsašilarnir įkveši annaš.
4.    Texta breytinga skal afhenda vörsluašila til vörslu.
5.    Mešferšin viš breytingar, sem um getur ķ žessari grein, gildir ekki um breytingu į višaukunum sem um getur ķ 39. gr.

41. gr.
Ašild.
1.    Sérhvert rķki, sem veršur ašili aš Frķverslunarsamtökum Evrópu eša Tollabandalagi Sušur-Afrķkurķkja, getur gerst ašili aš samningi žessum, meš žeim kjörum og skilyršum sem samningsašilarnir koma sér saman um. Skjal um ašild skal afhenda vörsluašila til vörslu.

2.    Aš žvķ er varšar inngöngurķki skal samningurinn öšlast gildi į fyrsta degi žrišja mįnašar eftir aš ašildarskjal žess hefur veriš afhent til vörslu eša žeir samningsašilar sem fyrir eru hafa samžykkt ašildarskilmįla, hvort sem sķšar veršur.

42. gr.
Uppsögn og samningsslit.
1.    Samningsašili getur sagt upp samningi žessum meš žvķ aš tilkynna vörsluašila žaš skriflega. Uppsögnin tekur gildi sex mįnušum eftir aš vörsluašili veitir tilkynningunni vištöku.

2.    Ef EFTA-rķki segir upp samningnum um stofnun Frķverslunarsamtaka Evrópu fellur ašild žess aš samningi žessum af žeim sökum nišur sama dag og uppsögnin tekur gildi.

3.    Ef SACU-rķki segir upp SACU-samningnum fellur ašild žess aš samningi žessum af žeim sökum nišur sama dag og uppsögnin tekur gildi.

4.    Ef öll EFTA-rķkin draga ašild sķna til baka eša ef SACU dregur ašild sķna til baka ķ samręmi viš 1. mgr. fellur samningur žessi śr gildi.

43. gr.
Gildistaka.
1.    Samningur žessi er meš fyrirvara um fullgildingu, stašfestingu eša samžykki ķ samręmi viš stjórnskipuleg skilyrši hvers samningsašila. Skjöl um fullgildingu, stašfestingu eša samžykki skulu afhent vörsluašila til vörslu.
2.    EFTA-rķki eša SACU-rķki er heimilt, ef stjórnskipuleg skilyrši žess heimila žaš, aš beita samningi žessum til brįšabirgša. Vörsluašila skal tilkynnt um brįšabirgšabeitingu samnings žessa samkvęmt žessari grein.
3.    Samningur žessi öšlast gildi 1. jślķ 2006, aš žvķ tilskildu aš allir samningsašilar hafi afhent vörsluašila skjöl sķn um fullgildingu, stašfestingu eša samžykki til vörslu, eša tilkynnt honum um beitingu samningsins til brįšabirgša, aš minnsta kosti einum mįnuši fyrir fyrrnefnda dagsetningu.
4.    Ef samningur žessi öšlast ekki gildi 1. jślķ 2006 skal hann öšlast gildi fyrsta dag annars mįnašar eftir aš sķšasti samningsašilinn hefur afhent skjal sitt til vörslu eša tilkynnt um beitingu til brįšabirgša.


44. gr.
Vörsluašili.
1.    Rķkisstjórn Noregs skal vera vörsluašili.

2.    Frumriti af samningi žessum skal komiš ķ geymslu hjį SACU-skrifstofunni.
3.    SACU-skrifstofan skal samręma ašgeršir SACU-rķkjanna sem miša aš žvķ aš fullnęgja skilmįlum 40. til 43. greinar.

ŽESSU TIL STAŠFESTU hafa undirrituš, sem til žess hafa fullt umboš, undirritaš samning žennan.


Gert ķ tveimur frumritum į ensku, og skal annaš žeirra afhent rķkisstjórn Noregs til vörslu en hitt geymt hjį SACU-skrifstofunni. Vörsluašili skal senda öllum samningsašilunum stašfest endurrit.


Gjört ķ
hinn                            2006
Fyrir hönd lżšveldisins Ķslands
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Furstadęmisins Liechtensteins
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Konungsrķkisins Noregs
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Rķkjasambandsins Sviss
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Lżšveldisins Botsvana
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Konungsrķkisins Lesótó
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Lżšveldisins Namibķu
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Lżšveldisins Sušur-Afrķku
    

Gjört ķ
hinn                             2006
Fyrir hönd Konungsrķkisins Svasķlands
    


FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE EFTA STATES
AND
THE SACU STATES

PREAMBLE

The Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Swiss Confederation, Members of the European Free Trade Association (hereinafter referred to as “the EFTA States”),

and

the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland, together forming the Southern African Customs Union (hereinafter referred to jointly as “SACU” or severally as “the SACU States”),

hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Parties”,


CONSIDERING that the EFTA States and the SACU States wish to further strengthen their links and to establish close and lasting relations based on partnership and co-operation;

RECOGNISING the efforts by the governments of the SACU States to further economic and social development for their people and the willingness of the EFTA States to support this process;

RECALLING the importance attached by the Parties to the principles and rules which govern international trade and to the need to apply them in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner;

TAKING ACCOUNT of the Parties' rights and obligations in terms of their membership of the World Trade Organisation (hereinafter referred to as “the WTO”) and their contribution to the further strengthening of the multilateral trading system;

RECOGNISING the special needs and interests of the SACU States as developing or least-developed countries and that such needs and interests be taken care of by less than full reciprocity in reduction commitments as referred to in the Doha Development Agenda;


CONFIRMING the commitment of the Parties to promote regional co-operation and economic integration between the countries of Southern Africa and Europe and to encourage the liberalization of trade between the Parties;

BEARING IN MIND the Parties' commitment to ensure that their mutual arrangements do not impede the process of regional integration among the EFTA States on the one hand and the SACU States on the other;

DESIRING to create new employment opportunities and to improve working conditions and living standards in their respective territories while promoting sustainable development;

REAFFIRMING their commitment to the principles and objectives set out in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and

CONVINCED that this Agreement will create conditions encouraging economic, trade and investment relations between the Parties;


HAVE AGREED, in pursuit of the above, to conclude the present Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “this Agreement”):

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 1
Objectives
1.    The Parties hereby establish a free trade area in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, which is based on trade relations between market economies.
2.    The objectives of this Agreement are to:
(a)    achieve the liberalisation of trade in goods in conformity with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (hereinafter referred to as “the GATT 1994”);
(b)    substantially increase investment opportunities in the free trade area;
(c)    promote adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights;
(d)    establish a framework for the further develop ment of their trade and economic relations with a view to expanding and enhancing the benefits of this Agreement; and
(e)    contribute in this way to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade by the removal of barriers to trade.

ARTICLE 2
Trade and Economic Relations Governed by this Agreement
    The provisions of this Agreement apply to the trade and economic relations between, on the one side, the individual EFTA States and, on the other side, the individual SACU States or, where specifically provided for, the SACU States acting jointly as SACU. In relation to SACU, the meaning to be attributed to “Parties” or “Party” in each case is to be deduced from the relevant provisions of this Agreement and from the respective competencies of SACU and the SACU States as they follow from the SACU Agreement 2002, as amended from time to time. This Agreement applies neither to the trade relations amongst the EFTA States, nor to the trade relations amongst the SACU States.

ARTICLE 3
Geographical Scope
1.    Without prejudice to Annex V, this Agreement shall apply:
(a)    to the land territory, internal waters, and the territorial sea of a Party, and the air-space above the territory in accordance with international law; as well as
(b)    beyond the territorial sea, with respect to measures taken by a Party in the exercise of its sovereign rights or jurisdiction in accordance with international law.
2.    Annex I applies with respect to Norway.

ARTICLE 4
Relation to Other International Agreements
1.    The Parties confirm their rights and obligations under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization and the other agreements negotiated thereunder (hereinafter referred to as “the WTO Agreement”) to which they are parties and any other international agreement applicable between them.
2.    No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted as exempting the Parties from the obligations which are incumbent on them under other international agreements.

ARTICLE 5
Preferential Agreements with Third Countries
    This Agreement shall not preclude the maintenance, establishment or enlargement of customs unions, free trade areas, arrangements for frontier trade and other preferential agreements of the Parties to the extent that these do not interfere with the fulfillment of obligations under this Agreement. The Parties shall inform each other in the Joint Committee established in accordance with Article 33 (hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Committee”) about such agreements with third countries.

CHAPTER II
TRADE IN GOODS
ARTICLE 6
Scope
1.    This Chapter shall apply to:
(a)    products falling within Chapters 25 to 98 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS), except as provided for in Annex II;
(b)    products specified in Annex III, with due regard to the arrangements provided for in that Annex; and
(c)    fish and other marine products as provided for in Annex IV,
originating in an EFTA State or in SACU in accordance with the rules of origin set out in Annex V.

2.    SACU and each EFTA State have concluded agreements on trade in agricultural products on a bilateral basis. These agreements form part of the instruments establishing the free trade area between the EFTA States and SACU.

ARTICLE 7
Rules of Origin and Administrative Co-operation
1.    The provisions on rules of origin are set out in Annex V.
2.    The provisions on mutual administrative co-operation in customs matters are set out in Annex VI.

ARTICLE 8
Customs Duties
1.    No new customs duties shall be introduced in trade between the EFTA States and SACU, covered by paragraph 1 of Article 6, except as provided for in this Agreement.
2.    The EFTA States shall, on entry into force of this Agreement, abolish all customs duties on imports of originating products from SACU.
3.    SACU shall progressively reduce its customs duties on imports of originating products from the EFTA States as provided for in Annexes IV and VII.
4.    The Parties shall, on entry into force of this Agreement, eliminate all customs duties on exports to the other Parties, except as provided for in this Agreement.
5.    A customs duty includes any duty or charge of any kind imposed in connection with the importation or exportation of a product, including any form of surtax or surcharge, but does not include any charge imposed in conformity with Articles III, VIII and XI of the GATT 1994.

ARTICLE 9
Basic Duties
1.    For each product the basic duty, to which the successive reductions set out in Annexes IV and VII are to be applied, shall be the most-favoured- nation (hereinafter referred to as “MFN”) rate of duty applied on 1 July 2003.
2.    If before, by or after 1 July 2003 any tariff reduction is applied on an erga omnes basis, in particular reductions in accordance with commitments resulting from multilateral negotiations under the WTO, such reduced duties shall replace the basic duties referred to in paragraph 1 as from the date when such reductions are applied, or from the entry into force of this Agreement if this is later.
3.    The reduced duties calculated in accordance with Annexes IV and VII shall be applied rounded to the first decimal place or, in case of specific duties, to the second decimal place.
4.    Paragraph 1 shall not apply to the products that are under investigation by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa as at 1 July 2003, as listed in Annex VIII, and the products listed in Tables 1 and 2 of Annex VII, categorized as Lists 5 and 6.
5.    With the exception of the margin of preference categorized as “motors partial 1” and “motors partial 2” in paragraph 5 of Annex VII, paragraph 2 shall not apply to the products listed in Tables 1 and 2 of Annex VII, categorized as List 5 and 6.

ARTICLE 10
Import and Export Restrictions
    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of export and import restrictions shall be governed by Article XI of the GATT 1994, which is hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 11
National Treatment
    Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the Parties shall apply national treatment in accordance with Article III of the GATT 1994, including its interpretative notes, which is hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.


ARTICLE 12
State Trading Enterprises
    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of state trading enterprises shall be governed by Article XVII of the GATT 1994 and the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XVII of the GATT 1994, which are hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 13
Technical Regulations, Standards and Conformity Assessment
1.    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment shall be governed by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (hereinafter referred to as “the WTO TBT Agreement”) as well as the decisions and recommendations adopted by the WTO TBT Committee since 1 January 1995.


2.    The Parties shall strengthen their co-operation in the field of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment with a view to increasing the mutual understanding of their systems and facilitating access to their respective markets. To this end, the Parties shall, upon request, exchange information and consider expeditiously any request for co- operation. Co-operation may consist of:
(a)    encouraging the application of the WTO TBT Agreement;
(b)    enhancing regulatory and standard setting practices;
(c)    promoting international harmonization of technical regulations;
(d)    reinforcing the role of international standards as a basis for technical regulations including conformity assessment procedures;
(e)    exchanging information on the variety of mechanisms to facilitate the acceptance of conformity assessment results;
(f)    promoting the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies on the basis of relevant Standards and Guides of the International Standards Organisation (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); and
(g)    identifying and assessing possible instruments for trade facilitation, such as equivalence of technical regulations and mutual recognition of conformity assessment results.
3.    Without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the Parties under the WTO TBT Agreement, the Parties agree to hold consultations in the framework of the Joint Committee to address any matter that may arise from the application of specific technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures if such application has created or is likely to create an obstacle to trade between the Parties, with a view to finding an appropriate solution in conformity with the WTO TBT Agreement.


ARTICLE 14
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
1.    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of sanitary and phytosanitary measures shall be governed by the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (hereinafter referred to as “the WTO SPS Agreement”).

2.    The Parties shall strengthen their co-operation in sanitary and phytosanitary matters with a view to increasing the mutual understanding of their systems and improving access to their markets. Such co-operation may include expert consultations.

3.    If a Party considers that another Party has taken measures which are likely to affect, or have affected, access to its market, expert consultations shall be convened with a view to finding an appropriate solution in conformity with the WTO SPS Agreement. Such consultations can be held both within and outside the framework of the Joint Committee. The Parties shall exchange names and addresses of contact points with sanitary and phytosanitary expertise in order to facilitate communication and the exchange of information.

4.    Any agreement between the Parties shall be commensurate with the domestic legislation of the Parties and safeguard the SACU States' individual and collective sanitary and phytosanitary status.
5.    The Parties affirm their support of the standards set by the international bodies that the WTO SPS Agreement recognizes, taking into consideration that not all the SACU States are signatories to the International Plant Protection Convention.


ARTICLE 15
Competition
1.    The Parties recognise that certain business practices, such as anti-competitive agreements or concerted practices and abuses of dominant positions, may restrict trade between the Parties and thereby hinder the fulfilment of the objectives of this Agreement.
2.    A Party which considers that the operation of this Agreement is adversely affected by a practice referred to in paragraph 1 may request the Party or Parties in whose territory such practice originates to co-operate with a view to putting an end to the practice concerned or its adverse effects. Co-operation shall include, to the extent permitted by domestic law, the exchange of information that is available to the Parties in relation to the matter in question.

3.    In the event that co-operation between the Parties directly involved according to paragraph 2 does not lead to a solution, the affected Party may request consultations in the Joint Committee with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution.


ARTICLE 16
Subsidies
1.    The rights and obligations of the Parties relating to subsidies and countervailing measures shall be governed by Articles VI and XVI of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, except as provided for in paragraph 2.
2.    Before an EFTA State or SACU initiates an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged subsidy in a SACU State, or in an EFTA State, as provided for in Article 11 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, the Party considering initiating an investigation shall notify in writing the Party whose goods are subject to investigation with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution within 30 days. Consultations shall take place in the Joint Committee if a Party so requests within ten days from the date of receipt of the notification.


ARTICLE 17
Anti-Dumping
1.    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of the application of anti-dumping measures shall be governed by Article VI of the GATT 1994 and the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994.
2.    After an EFTA State or SACU receives a properly documented application and before initiation of an investigation under the provisions of the Agreement referred to in paragraph 1, that Party shall notify in writing the Party whose goods are allegedly being dumped and invite such Party to consultations with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution within 30 days. The outcome of the consultations shall be communicated to the other Parties. Consultations shall take place in the Joint Committee if a Party so requests within ten days from the date of receipt of the notification.

ARTICLE 18
Global Safeguard Measures
    The Parties confirm their rights and obligations under Article XIX of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.

ARTICLE 19
Emergency Action on Imports of Particular Products
1.    Where, as a result of the reduction or elimination of a customs duty under this Agreement, any product originating in an EFTA State or in SACU is being imported into the territory of an EFTA State or SACU, in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause serious injury or threat therof to the domestic industry of like or directly competitive products in the territory of that Party, such Party may take emergency measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Article.
2.    An EFTA State or SACU intending to take emergency measures shall, as soon as possible and in any case before taking a measure, supply the Joint Committee with all relevant information, with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to all Parties concerned.
3.    Emergency measures shall not exceed what is necessary to remedy the difficulties which have arisen and should normally consist of the suspension of the further reduction of any applicable rate of duty provided for under this Agreement for the product concerned or the increase of the rate of duty for that product.
4.    Such measures shall contain clear elements progressively leading to their elimination at the end of the set period, at the latest. Measures shall not be taken for a period exceeding one year. In very exceptional circumstances, measures may be taken up to a total maximum period of three years.
5.    The Joint Committee shall, within 30 days from the date of notification, examine the information provided under paragraph 2 in order to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution to the matter. In the absence of such resolution, the importing Party may adopt a measure pursuant to paragraph 1 to remedy the problem. The emergency measure shall be immediately notified to the Joint Committee. In the selection of the emergency measure, priority must be given to the measure that least disturbs the functioning of this Agreement.
6.    In critical circumstances where delay would cause damage which would be difficult to repair, the EFTA State concerned or SACU may take a provisional emergency measure pursuant to a preliminary determination that there is clear evidence that increased imports have caused, or are threatening to cause, serious injury. The Party intending to take such a measure shall immediately inform the other Parties and the Joint Committee thereof and set into motion the procedure according to paragraph 2. The provisional measure shall be terminated within six months, at the latest.

ARTICLE 20
Agricultural Safeguard Measures
1.    Safeguard measures on agricultural products shall be taken pursuant to the conditions laid down in paragraph 1 of Article 19.
2.    A measure shall not be taken for a period exceeding one year and may consist in either of the following:
(a)    an increase of the import duty on the product in question to a level not higher than the MFN applied rate of duty on the product in effect at the time the measure is taken; or
(b)    the introduction of a tariff quota for preferential trade, based on historical trade volumes for the five preceding years, excluding the import surge volumes that necessitated the introduction of the safeguard measure.
3.    Before taking a safeguard measure, a Party shall notify the other Parties in writing of the measure to be taken. Within 60 days after notification, the notifying Party shall provide all relevant information concerning the safeguard measure. On request, that Party shall consult with the affected Party or Parties with respect of the conditions of application of the measure.



ARTICLE 21
Exceptional Measures in Case of Structural Adjustment
1.    Where any product originating in an EFTA State is being imported into the territory of a SACU State in such increased quantities and under such condi tions as to cause or threaten to cause serious disturbances to a particular infant industry or any sector undergoing restructuring, SACU may take exceptional measures of limited duration in the form of an increase or reintroduction of customs duties.
2.    Customs duties on imports applicable in SACU to products originating in the EFTA States introduced by these measures may not exceed the level of the applied MFN rates of duty and shall maintain an element of preference for products originating in the EFTA States. The total value of all imports of the products, which are subject to these measures, may not exceed 15 per cent of total imports from the EFTA States during the last year for which statistics are available.
3.    Exceptional measures shall be applied for a period not exceeding four years. They shall cease to apply at the latest on the expiry of the maximum transitional period of nine years. These time limits may exceptionally be extended by decision of the Joint Committee.
4.    No such measure can be introduced in respect of a product if more than three years have elapsed since the elimination of all duties and quantitative restrictions or charges or measures having an equivalent effect concerning that product.
5.    SACU shall notify the Joint Committee of the exceptional measures it intends to take and, at the request of an EFTA State, consultations shall be held on such measures before they are applied in order to reach a satisfactory solution. The notification shall include an indicative schedule for the introduction and subsequent elimination of the customs duties to be imposed.
6.    If no agreement on the proposed measures referred to above has been reached within 30 days of the notification, SACU may take appropriate measures to remedy the problem and shall provide the Joint Committee with the definite schedule for the elimination of the customs duties introduced under this Article. This schedule shall provide for a phasing out of these duties at equal annual rates starting at the latest one year after their introduction. The Joint Committee may decide on a different schedule.

ARTICLE 22
Balance of Payments Difficulties
1.    The rights and obligations of the Parties with regard to restrictions to safeguard the balance of payments shall be governed by Article XII of the GATT 1994, which is hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.
2.    The Party introducing a measure under this Article shall promptly notify the other Parties and the Joint Committee of such measure.

ARTICLE 23
General Exceptions
    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of general exceptions shall be governed by Article XX of the GATT 1994, which is hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 24
Security Exceptions
    The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of security exceptions shall be governed by Article XXI of the GATT 1994, which is hereby incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.


ARTICLE 25
Special Treatment for Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland
1.    Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland may, in accordance with Article 26 of the SACU Agreement 2002, temporarily levy duties on imports to protect infant industries. Such duties shall be equally levied on goods originating in other SACU States and in countries outside SACU.
2.    Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland may temporarily restrict the importation or exportation of goods for purposes of rural development, food security and poverty alleviation in a manner not inconsistent with the WTO Agreement. Such measures shall also be taken in respect of all other countries.
3.    The Party intending to take a measure in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 shall inform the Joint Committee, and shall be prepared, at the request of another Party, to discuss the matter in the Joint Committee.

CHAPTER III
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
ARTICLE 26
Intellectual Property Rights
1.    “Intellectual property” comprises in particular copyright, including computer programmes and compilations of data, as well as neighbouring rights, trademarks for goods and services, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, plant varieties, topographies of integrated circuits, as well as undisclosed information.
2.    The Parties shall grant and ensure adequate, effective and non-discriminatory protection of intellectual property rights, and provide for measures for the enforcement of such rights against infringement thereof, counterfeiting and piracy, in accordance with the provisions of this Article and the obligations set out in the international agreements to which they are parties.
3.    The Parties shall accord to each others' nationals treatment no less favourable than that they accord to their own nationals. Exemptions from this obligation must be in accordance with the substantive provision of Articles 3 and 5 of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (hereinafter referred to as “the TRIPS Agreement”).
4.    The Parties shall grant to each other's nationals treatment no less favourable than that accorded to nationals of any other State. Exemptions from this obligation must be in accordance with the substantive provisions of the TRIPS Agreement, in particular Articles 4 and 5 thereof.
5.    With the objective of progressively harmonizing their legal framework on intellectual property rights, the EFTA States and the SACU States affirm their commitment to review this Chapter not later than five years after the entry into force of this Agreement.
6.    In order to avoid or to remedy trade distortions caused by actual levels of protection of intellectual property rights, at the request of a Party, urgent consultations shall take place with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution.

CHAPTER IV
SERVICES, INVESTMENT, PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
ARTICLE 27
Services
1.    In recognition of the growing importance of services for the development of their economies, the Parties underline the importance of strict observance of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (hereinafter referred to as “the GATS”).

2.    The Parties shall endeavour to extend the scope of this Agreement with a view to further liberalising trade in services between the Parties. The Joint Committee shall make the necessary recommendations for the implementation of this objective not later than five years after the entry into force of this Agreement. When formulating these recommendations, it shall take into account the experience gained by the implementation of the obligations of the Parties under the GATS.
3.    If a Party enters into an agreement defined in Article V of the GATS, it shall upon request from the other Parties afford adequate opportunity to them to seek to obtain, including through possible negotiations, comparable conditions, on a mutually beneficial basis.

ARTICLE 28
Investment
1.    The Parties shall endeavour to create and maintain a stable and transparent investment framework and shall not impair by unreasonable or discriminatory measures the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal of investments by investors of the other Parties. Parties shall admit investments by investors of the other Parties in accordance with their laws and regulations.
2.    The Parties recognise the importance of promoting cross-border investment and technology flows as a means for achieving economic growth and development. Co-operation in this respect may include:
(a)    appropriate means of identifying investment opportunities and information channels on investment regulations;
(b)    the provision of information on the Parties' measures to promote investment abroad (technical assistance, financial support, investment insurance, etc.);
(c)    the furthering of a legal environment conducive to increased investment flows; and
(d)    the development of mechanisms for joint investments, in particular with small and medium enterprises.
3.    The Parties recognise that it is inappropriate to encourage investment by relaxing health, safety or environmental standards.

4.    The Parties affirm their commitment to review issues related to investment in the Joint Committee no later than five years after the entry into force of this Agreement. If a Party grants to a non-Party, after the entry into force of this Agreement, a more favourable investment framework than under this Agreement, it shall afford adequate opportunity to the other Parties to seek to obtain, including through possible negotiations, comparable conditions, on a mutually beneficial basis.


ARTICLE 29
Government Procurement
1.    The Parties agree on the importance of co-operation to enhance the mutual understanding of their respective government procurement laws and regulations.
2.    The Parties shall publish their laws, or otherwise make publicly available their laws, regulations and administrative rulings of general application. The Parties agree that it is important to respond to specific questions on their laws and regulations and to provide, upon request, clarification to each other on such matters.
3.    The Parties shall, no later than five years after the entry into force of this Agreement, hold consultations in the Joint Committee to consider possible steps to be taken with a view to mutually liberalizing their procurement markets. If a Party grants to a non-Party, after the entry into force of this Agreement, better conditions than under this Agreement with regard to access to its procurement markets, it shall afford adequate opportunity to the other Parties to seek to obtain, including through possible negotiations, comparable conditions, on a reciprocal basis.



CHAPTER V
ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
ARTICLE 30
Objectives and Scope
1.    The Parties declare their readiness to foster economic co-operation on mutually agreed terms and in accordance with their national policy objectives.

2.    The EFTA States shall provide technical assistance to the SACU States in order to:
(a)    facilitate the implementation of the overall objectives of this Agreement, in particular to enhance trading and investment opportunities arising from this Agreement;
(b)    support the SACU States' own efforts to achieve sustainable economic and social development.

3.    Assistance by the EFTA States shall focus on sectors affected by the process of liberalisation and restructuring of the economy of the SACU States as well as on sectors likely to bring the economies of the EFTA States and the SACU States closer together, particularly those generating growth and employment.

ARTICLE 31
Methods and Means
1.    The Parties shall co-operate with the objective of identifying and employing the most effective methods and means for the implementation of this Chapter. To this end, they shall co-ordinate efforts with relevant international organisations.

2.    Conservation of the environment shall be taken into account in the implementation of assistance in the various sectors to which it is relevant.
3.    Means of assistance may include:
(a)    exchange of information, transfer of expertise and training;
(b)    implementation of joint actions such as seminars and workshops; and
(c)    technical and administrative assistance.

ARTICLE 32
Fields of Co-operation
1.    In order to facilitate the implementation of this Agreement the Parties shall agree on appropriate modalities for technical assistance and co-operation between their respective authorities. To this end, they shall co-ordinate efforts with relevant international organisations.

2.    Assistance may cover targeted fields jointly identified by the Parties that may serve to enhance the SACU States' capacities to benefit from increased international trade and investment, including in particular:
(a)    trade policy, trade facilitation and trade promotion;
(b)    customs and origin matters;
(c)    technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment as well as sanitary and phytosanitary measures;
(d)    local enterprise development; and
(e)    regulatory assistance and implementation of laws in areas such as services, investment, intellectual property and public procurement.
3.    Technical assistance in the fields referred to in paragraph 2(c) shall be provided on such matters as capacity building, infrastructure development, enhanced participation in international standards setting activities and improvement of risk assessment.
4.    The Government of Norway, as the Depositary by virtue of Article 44, shall seek to co-operate with the SACU Secretariat in order to build capacity in the SACU Secretariat relating to all the functions of a depositary.

CHAPTER VI
INSTITUTIONAL AND PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 33
The Joint Committee
1.    The implementation of this Agreement shall be supervised and administered by a Joint Committee. Each Party shall be represented in the Joint Com mittee. The Joint Committee shall be jointly chaired by a representative of an EFTA State and a representative of a SACU State.
2.    For the purpose of the proper implementation of this Agreement, the Parties shall exchange information and, at the request of a Party, shall hold consultations within the Joint Committee on any matter concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement. The Joint Committee may review the possibility of further removing obstacles to trade between the Parties.
3.    The Joint Committee may take decisions in the cases provided for in this Agreement. On other matters, the Joint Committee may make recommendations to the Parties.

ARTICLE 34
Procedures of the Joint Committee
1.    The first meeting of the Joint Committee shall be held not later than one year after the entry into force of this Agreement. For the proper implementation of this Agreement, the Joint Committee shall, upon request of a Party, thereafter meet whenever necessary, but at least once every two years.
2.    The Joint Committee shall act by consensus.

3.    If a representative of a Party in the Joint Committee has accepted a decision subject to the fulfillment of constitutional requirements, the decision shall enter into force, if no later date is contained therein, on the date of receipt of the notification of the fulfillment of the necessary constitutional requirements.
4.    For the purpose of this Agreement, the Joint Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure which shall, inter alia, contain provisions for convening meetings and for the designation of the Joint Chairpersons and their term of office.
5.    The Joint Committee may decide to set up such sub-committees and working parties as it considers necessary to assist it in accomplishing its tasks.

ARTICLE 35
Consultations
1.    The Parties shall take all necessary measures to ensure the fulfillment of their obligations under this Agreement. Should any divergence with respect to the interpretation and application of this Agreement arise, the Parties shall make every attempt through co-operation and consultations to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution.
2.    A Party may request in writing consultations with another Party regarding any actual or proposed measure or any other matter that it considers might affect the operation of this Agreement. The Party requesting consultations shall at the same time notify the other Parties in writing thereof and supply all relevant information.

3.    The consultations shall take place in the Joint Committee, if a Party so requests, within 20 days from the receipt of the notification referred to in paragraph 2, with a view to finding a mutually satisfactory solution.

ARTICLE 36
Provisional Measures
    If a Party considers that another Party has failed to fulfil an obligation under this Agreement and the Joint Committee has failed to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution within 90 days from the date of receipt of the request for consultations in the Joint Committee, the Party concerned may take such provisional rebalancing measures as are appropriate and strictly necessary to remedy the imbalance. Priority shall be given to such measures that will least disturb the functioning of this Agreement. The measures taken shall be notified immediately to the other Parties and to the Joint Committee, which shall hold regular consultations with a view to their abolition. The measures shall be abolished when conditions no longer justify their maintenance, or, if the dispute is submitted to arbitration, when an arbitral award has been rendered and complied with.


ARTICLE 37
Arbitration
1.    Disputes between Parties, relating to the interpretation of rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement, which have not been settled, pursuant to Article 35, through direct consultations or in the Joint Committee within 90 days from the date of the receipt of the written request for consultations, may be referred to arbitration by one or more parties to the dispute by means of a written notification addressed to the Party complained against. A copy of this notification shall be communicated to all Parties.
2.    Disputes on the same matter arising under both this Agreement and the WTO Agreement may be settled in either forum at the discretion of the complaining Party. The forum thus selected shall be used to the exclusion of the other. Before a Party initiates dispute settlement proceedings under the WTO Agreement against another Party or Parties, that Party shall notify all other Parties of its intention to do so.
3.    The arbitral tribunal shall comprise three members. Each party to the dispute shall, within 30 days from the date of receipt of notification, nominate an arbitrator and the two arbitrators shall, within 30 days from the date of the last nomination, appoint a third arbitrator who will be the Chairperson of the arbitral tribunal. The Chairperson shall not be a national of either party to the dispute, nor permanently reside in the territory of either party to the dispute. If more than one EFTA State or more than one SACU State are parties to a dispute, these parties shall jointly nominate one arbitrator.
4.    In case either party to the dispute fails to nominate its arbitrator or the nominated arbitrators fail to agree on a third member within the period specified in paragraph 3, each party to the dispute may request the President of the International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointment.

5.    The arbitral tribunal shall settle the dispute in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the customary rules of interpretation of public international law.
6.    Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement or agreed between the parties to the dispute, the Optional Rules for Arbitrating Disputes between Two States of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, effective 20 October 1992, shall apply.
7.    A Party that is not a party to the dispute, on delivery of a written notice to the disputing parties, shall be entitled to receive written submissions of the disputing parties and attend all hearings as observer.
8.    The arbitral tribunal shall take its decisions by majority vote.
9.    The expenses of the arbitral tribunal, including the remuneration of its members, shall normally be borne by the parties to the dispute in equal shares. The arbitral tribunal may, however, at its discretion decide that a higher proportion of the expenses be paid by one of the parties to the dispute, taking into account, inter alia, the financial situations of the Parties involved.
10.    This Article shall not apply to Article 15 and Chapters III and IV.

CHAPTER VII
FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 38
Evolutionary Clause
1.    The Parties undertake to review this Agreement in light of further developments in international economic relations, inter alia in the framework of the WTO, and to examine the possibility of further developing and deepening the co-operation under this Agreement and to extend it to areas not covered therein. The Parties may instruct the Joint Commit tee to examine this possibility and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to them, particularly with a view to opening up negotiations.
2.    Revisions, additions or amendments to this Agreement resulting from the procedure referred to in paragraph 1 shall be done in accordance with the provisions of Article 40.

ARTICLE 39
Annexes
    The Annexes to this Agreement are an integral part of it. The Joint Committee may, subject to the respective constitutional requirements of the Parties, decide to amend the Annexes.

ARTICLE 40
Amendments
1.    Any Party may submit proposals for amendments to this Agreement to the Joint Committee for consideration and approval.
2.    Amendments to this Agreement shall, after approval by the Joint Committee, be submitted to the Parties for ratification, acceptance or approval in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.
3.    Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, amendments shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of the last instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.
4.    The text of the amendments shall be deposited with the Depositary.
5.    The amendment procedure provided for in this Article shall not apply to the amendment of Annexes referred to in Article 39.

ARTICLE 41
Accession
1.    Any State, becoming a Member of the European Free Trade Association, or any State, becoming a Member of the Southern African Customs Union, may accede to this Agreement, on terms and conditions to be agreed upon by the Parties. The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the Depositary.
2.    In relation to an acceding State, this Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the third month following the deposit of its instrument of accession, or the approval of the terms of accession by the existing Parties, whichever is later.

ARTICLE 42
Withdrawal and Termination
1.    A Party may withdraw from this Agreement by means of a written notification to the Depositary. The withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date on which the notification is received by the Depositary.
2.    Any EFTA State which withdraws from the Convention Establishing the European Free Trade Association shall ipso facto on the same day as the withdrawal takes effect cease to be a Party to this Agreement.
3.    Any SACU State which withdraws from the SACU Agreement shall ipso facto on the same day as the withdrawal takes effect cease to be a Party to this Agreement.
4.    If all the EFTA States withdraw or if SACU withdraws in accordance with paragraph 1, this Agreement shall be terminated.

ARTICLE 43
Entry into Force
1.    This Agreement is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval in accordance with the respective constitutional requirements of the Parties. The instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Depositary.
2.    If its constitutional requirements permit, any EFTA State or SACU State may apply this Agreement provisionally. Provisional application of this Agreement under this paragraph shall be notified to the Depositary.
3.    This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 July 2006, provided all the Parties have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval with, or notified provisional application to, the Depositary at least one month before this date.

4.    In case this Agreement does not enter into force on 1 July 2006 it shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the last Party has deposited its instrument or notified provisional application.

ARTICLE 44
Depositary
1.    The Government of Norway shall act as Depositary.
2.    An original copy of this Agreement shall be lodged with the SACU Secretariat.
3.    The SACU Secretariat shall co-ordinate the actions of the SACU States in fulfilment of the terms of Articles 40 to 43.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement.

Done in two originals in the English language, one of which shall be deposited with the Government of Norway and the other shall be lodged with the SACU Secretariat. The Depositary shall transmit certified copies to all the Parties.

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Republic of Iceland
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Principality of Liechtenstein
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Kingdom of Norway
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Swiss Confederation
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Republic of Botswana
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Kingdom of Lesotho
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Republic of Namibia
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Republic of South Africa
    

Done at
This                     day of     2006
For the Kingdom of Swaziland