THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT 
OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT 
OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION

The Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the "Contracting Parties"), 

Recognizing the importance of science and technology to the development of prosperous national economies, 

Being convinced that international cooperation in science and technology will strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between their peoples and will advance the development of science and technology to the benefit of both countries, and
 
Desiring to encourage and promote cooperation in the field of science and technology on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, 

Have agreed as follows: 

Article 1

1. The Contracting Parties shall develop and support cooperation in the field of science and technology according to the provisions of this Agreement and in accordance with the national laws and regulations in force in the Slovak Republic and in the Republic of Korea. 

2. The Contracting Parties shall encourage and support cooperation and the exchange of information in science and technology through direct contact between scientific and technological organizations and institutions, including schools of higher education, research and development institutions, and scientific associations of the two countries in accordance with their respective national laws and regulations. 

3. The bodies responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Agreement shall be the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive Bodies"). 

Article 2

1. The cooperation contemplated in this Agreement may include:

a)	Joint scientific and technological projects in areas mutually agreed upon by the Contracting Parties;
b)	Exchanges of scientists, specialists, researchers, university professors, and experts in the field of science and technology; 
c)	Exchanges of scientific and technological information and documentation, as well as laboratory samples and equipment in the context of cooperative activities;
d)	Joint scientific conferences, symposia, workshops, other meetings, and exhibitions; and
e)	Other forms of scientific and technical cooperation as may be mutually agreed upon by the Contracting Parties.

2. The two Contracting Parties shall encourage collaboration in research and technological development between the entrepreneurial entities of their two countries. 

Article 3

1. The Contracting Parties shall establish a joint committee (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Committee”) for coordinating and facilitating cooperative activities under this Agreement, composed of representatives of the Executive Bodies.

2. The Joint Committee shall decide on the fields of cooperation, create favorable conditions for the implementation of this Agreement, facilitate and support the implementation of joint projects and programs, and propose and endorse programs of cooperation.

3. The Joint Committee shall meet every two year or at the request of either Executive Body, alternately in the Slovak Republic and in the Republic of Korea, on mutually agreed upon dates.

4. The Joint Committee shall formulate its regulations for the implementation of this Agreement at its meetings.

Article 4

The Contracting Parties shall bear the expenses incurred in connection with the cooperative activities under this Agreement on the basis of the principle of equality and reciprocity and in accordance with the availability of appropriated funds. 

Article 5

1. Intellectual property rights arising from the cooperative activities under this Agreement shall be regulated by implementing arrangements between the cooperating organizations. Intellectual property protection shall be subject to the international agreements on intellectual property law to which both the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Korea are parties, as well as subject to the national laws and regulations in force in the two countries.

2. Scientific and technological information of a non-proprietary nature deriving from the cooperation under this Agreement shall be possessed by the Contracting Parties and/or cooperating organizations in accordance with the national laws and regulations of the two countries. Such information shall not be made available to a third party unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the Contracting Parties and/or the cooperating organizations if required by the respective national laws of the Contracting Parties.

Article 6

Scientists, technical experts, governmental agencies and institutions of third countries or international organizations may, in appropriate cases, be invited by the Contracting Parties to participate, at their own expense unless otherwise agreed by the Executive Bodies in writing, in projects and programs being carried out under this Agreement. 

Article 7

1. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the written consent of the Contracting Parties. 

2. Any dispute or questions between the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement arising during its term shall be settled through consultations within the Joint Committee or by the Executive Bodies.

Article 8

This Agreement shall not affect the validity or execution of any rights and obligations deriving from other international treaties or agreements entered into by either Party 

Article 9

1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the Contracting Parties exchange diplomatic notes confirming the completion of their internal procedures for the entry into force of this Agreement. 

2. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either Party. The Agreement shall cease to be valid six months after the date of the submission to the other Party of the request for termination.

3. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or duration of any projects or programs undertaken under this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly appointed by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done in duplicate at ……………….. on ……………, 2009, in the Slovak, Korean, and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail. 

For the Government 				           For the Government 
of the Slovak Republic		                        of the Republic of Korea