AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AND THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC ON COOPERATION IN THE
FIELD OF TOURISM
The Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic, hereinafter called the 'Parties',
Recognising the importance of tourism in promoting economic development, mutual
understanding, good will and close relations between peoples,
Bearing in mind the Status of World Tourism Organization and the recommendations of the
United Nations Conference on Tourism and International Travel held in Rome in 1963, the
relevant provisions in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in
Europe held in Helsinki on August 1, 1975, and the provisions of the Charter of Paris for
a New Europe of 1990,
Wishing to establish a close and effective cooperation in the field of tourism, have
agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
The Parties, within the framework of this Agreement and in accordance with the legislation
of their countries, shall seek to develop and strengthen the cooperation in the field of
tourism between the two countries.
ARTICLE 2
The Parties shall facilitate tourist traffic between their countries in accordance
with their respective laws and regulations and with prejudice to their international
obligations and will encourage the cooperation between enterprises and organisations
operating in the field of tourism. In this context, mutual visits, meetings and seminars
between entities operating in the field of tourism shall be encouraged and organised.
Furthermore and in order that their respective tourist attractions and worth seeing sights
become mutually known, the Parties shall encourage tourist promotion between the two
countries through the exchange of information and promotional materials.
ARTICLE 3
The Parties shall communicate to each other the incentives for Tourist investments
provided by their laws and regulations and inform each other about the existing
possibilities for such investments.
ARTICLE 4
The Parties shall give emphasis on the exchange of know-how and practical experience
in the field of tourism between enterprises, organisations and institutions operating in
this field.
ARTICLE 5
The Parties shall cooperate for ensuring sustainable tourist development and promotion of
special forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, youth tourism, cultural tourism, faith
tourism etc.
ARTICLE 6
The Parties shall exchange information and documentation concerning research, statistics
and legislation in the field of tourism.
ARTICLE 7
The Parties shall cooperate in the field of vocational training. They shall therefore
initiate an exchange program between their respective entities competent for such
training. This program shall include educational trips and attendance of specially
structured seminars, aiming to offer the participants knowledge of the modus operandi in
the relevant branches of the tourism sector of each country.
ARTICLE 8
The Parties agree upon the need for a deeper mutual cultural approach as a basic motive in
travelling and tourism and they commit themselves to encourage such an approach between
the two countries. In this context, cultural events and festivals aiming at reinforcing
the mutual tourist movement shall, inter alia, be encouraged and organised.
ARTICLE 9
The Parties, in order to stimulate the tourist flows from third countries into their
countries, shall encourage bilateral cooperation between the representatives of the
tourism sectors of both countries including the coordination of their activities within
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Article 10 The Parties shall encourage
bilateral cooperation in the field of yachting in accordance with their respective laws
and regulations and without prejudice to their international obligations.
ARTICLE 11
A Joint Tourism Committee, composed of an equal number of authorised representatives from
each Party, shall steer and supervise the implementation of the present agreement. In the
meetings of the Joint Tourism Committee, representatives of the private tourist sector may
also be invited to participate.
The Committee's meetings will take place alternately in each of the two countries at such
time as agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
ARTICLE 12
This Agreement shall enter into force upon the date upon which both parties will have
notified each other, through diplomatic channels, of the completion of the legal
formalities required in each country for the entry into force of the Agreement.
This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five (5) years from the date of entry
into force and shall thereafter be automatically renewed each time for additional
five-year periods, unless denounced by notification through diplomatic channels by one of
the Parties at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of each period.
Done in duplicate in Ankara on 20th January, 2000, in the Turkish, Greek and English
languages. All texts are equally authentic.
In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Republic of
Turkey For the Hellenic
Republic
Ismail
CEM George
A. PAPANDREOU
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs