Belarus' upper house approves termination of agreement with France

MINSK, 30 January (BelTA) - The senators passed a bill "On the termination of the agreement between the government of the Republic of Belarus and the government of the French Republic on cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, and mass media" at the tenth session of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus of the seventh convocation on 30 January, BelTA has learned.

“The agreement was signed in Paris on 20 January 2010, ratified by the Law of Belarus of 2 December 2010 and entered into force on 31 July 2011,” member of the Council of the Republic Yekaterina Serafimovich said.

According to her, the analysis showed that the projects that have been included in this agreement in recent years have not been implemented. "There is no point in continuing this agreement at the moment. That's for the first. Secondly the French Republic has recently pursued an unfriendly policy towards our country. All this prompted us to revise this agreement and make a decision to terminate it."

In accordance with Article 14 of the agreement, it is concluded for five years and automatically extended for the same period, unless either party notifies the other party in writing of its intention to amend or terminate it no later than three months before it expires.

In accordance article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties an international treaty can be terminated in the event of a fundamental change of circumstances which has occurred with regard to those existing at the time of the conclusion of a treaty.