A G R E E M E N T
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ON THE WAIVER OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC AND SERVICE/OFFICIAL PASSPORTS

PREAMBLE

The Government of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the Republic of South Africa (hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”; and separately as a “Party”);

WISHING to facilitate entry and movement of their citizens who are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports in the territory of the State of the other Party, and

DESIRING to enhance the friendly relations between the Parties;

HEREBY AGREE as follows:

Article 1
WAIVER OF VISA REQUIREMENTS

(1)	Citizens of the Slovak Republic who are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports may enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the Republic of South Africa without a visa for a maximum period of ninety (90) days from the date of entry.

(2)	Citizens of the Republic of South Africa who are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports may enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the Slovak Republic without a visa for a maximum period of ninety (90) days from the date of entry during the period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

Article 2
COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

The Competent Authorities responsible for the implementation of this Agreement shall be:
(a)	on behalf of the Government of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Interior; and
(b)	on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs.

Article 3
ACCREDITED DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR STAFF

(1)	Citizens of the State of either Party, who are members of the diplomatic missions, consular offices or international organizations with headquarters in the territory of the State of the other Party, as well as the members of delegations empowered to negotiate the international agreements and who are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports, shall be allowed to enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the State of the other Party without a visa while performing their duties.

(2)	If the family members of the persons referred to in subArticle (1) are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports, the provisions of subArticle (1) will also be applicable to them.

Article 4
ENTRY INTO TERRITORIES OF CONTRACTING PARTIES

Citizens of the State of one Party, who are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports, shall enter the territory of the State of the other Party through the points of entry designated for international traffic.

Article 5
OBSERVANCE OF DOMESTIC LAW

This Agreement shall not exempt the citizens of the States of the Parties who are holders of valid diplomatic or service/official passports from complying with the domestic law of the States of the Parties.

Article 6
REFUSAL OF ENTRY

Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Parties from refusing entry into or sojourn in their States of persons whose presence in their States is undesirable or of persons who could endanger the public order, health or security of their States.

Article 7
NOTIFICATION OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

(1)	The Parties shall exchange through the diplomatic channel, specimens of valid diplomatic and service/official passports not later than thirty (30) days after the entry into force of this Agreement.

(2)	The Parties shall exchange through the diplomatic channel specimens of new or amended diplomatic and service/official passports as well as information concerning their use not later than thirty (30) days before the said passports are brought into use.

Article 8
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Any dispute between the Parties arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultation or negotiation between the Parties.

Article 9
AMENDMENT

This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Parties through an Exchange of Notes between the Parties through the diplomatic channel.

Article 10
SUSPENSION OF AGREEMENT

(1)	Either Party reserves the right to completely or partially suspend this Agreement.

(2)	The suspension, together with the reasons therefore, shall be conveyed to the other Party in writing through the diplomatic channel and shall take effect immediately upon receipt of such notification.

(3)	The suspending Party shall lift the suspension as soon as possible by way of written notice to the other Party through the diplomatic channel.

Article 11
ENTRY INTO FORCE

(1)	This Agreement shall enter into force on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of receipt of the last notification, by which the Parties notify each other through the diplomatic channel of its fulfilment of the constitutional requirements necessary for entry into force of this Agreement.

(2)	This Agreement shall remain in force for an indefinite period unless terminated by either Party in accordance with subArticle (3).

(3)	Either Party may terminate this Agreement by written notification to the other Party through the diplomatic channel of its intention to terminate the Agreement. In such case this Agreement shall terminate on the ninetieth (90th) day following the date of receipt of such notification.

DONE at…………… this …………………day of…………………………… 2007. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed and sealed this Agreement in two originals in the Slovak and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In the case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail. 

        For the Government 						For Government
      of the Slovak Republic 					 of the Republic of South Africa