-Bretonia-
20-02-2008, 10:13
Recognising the difficulties inherent to trading under interstellar conditions, we the undersigned representatives of our respective governments are resolved to:
Strengthen economic relations and break down barriers to interstellar trade,
Promote a transparent business environment that will allow enterprises to plan effectively under consistent conditions,
Foster innovation and promote stronger links between dynamic sectors of our economies,
Encourage liberalised economic conditions and respect for the right to private property of our citizens,
Implement this Treaty in a manner consistent with our respective commitment to high standards of labour, sustainable development and economic growth,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
All Members hereby establish a free trade area in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty.
The Treaty shall not be construed to derogate from any international legal obligation between the Members that entitles goods or services, or suppliers of goods or services, to treatment more favourable than that accorded by this Treaty.
Article 2
Each Member shall progressively eliminate its customs duties on originating goods of the other Members.
No Member may increase an existing customs duty or introduce a new customs duty on imports of an originating good.
No Member may apply a customs duty to a good, regardless of its origin, that re-enters its territory after that good has been exported temporarily from its territory to the territory of one of the other Members for repair or alteration, regardless of whether the repair or alteration could be performed in its territory.
No Member may apply a customs duty to a good, regardless of its origin, imported temporarily from the territory of another Member for repair or alteration.
Each Member shall grant duty-free entry to commercial samples of negligible value, and to printed advertising materials, imported from the territory of another Member, regardless of their origin.
Each Member retains the right to levy new or modify existing customs duties against nations which have not signed this agreement.
Article 3
This Treaty does not disregard each Member's sovereign right to disallow entry of goods which are designated as illegal contraband within their borders.
Under this Treaty, each Member retains the right to stop and search any incoming cargo where reason exists to suspect illegal activities, provided this suspicion is justified to the Galactic Economic Treaty Council of Members.
All Members agree to allow originating goods to flow unhindered unless reason exists to suspect illegal activities.
Article 4
All Members agree to the formation of the Galactic Economic Treaty Council of Members, for the purposes of regulating and enforcing this Treaty.
All Members will nominate a single citizen to sit on the Council of Members to represent their interests.
On any matter where the Articles of this Treaty are called into question, the Council of Members may vote on an amendment or addition. A two-third vote of all Council Members shall be required for any such change to pass.
Where any Member fails to abide by the Articles of this Treaty, or abuses any Articles of this Treaty, the Council of Members shall vote to determine an appropriate course of action, ranging from fines up to the total expulsion of the Member in question from this Treaty.
Article 5
All Members must recognise the rights of individuals to the ownership of personal property, and afford this right to all citizens without prejudice to race, gender, ability or religion.
The right to ownership of personal property does not preclude the right of the Member to extract taxation from its citizens, provided this taxation is below 60%.
All Members must agree to afford the measures in this Article to any citizens of other Members whilst located within the borders of the Galactic Economic Treaty.
All Members agree to progressively introduce the measures outlined in this Article upon signing this Treaty, where such measures do not exist already.
Article 6
Where a state of active war exists between two or more Members, the Article of this Treaty may be temporarily suspended between them. All warring members must continue to uphold the Articles of this Treaty with all uninvolved Members.
When a conclusion to any conflict is reached, and a state of active war no longer exists, all involved members must recommence honouring of these Articles with each other immediately.
This Treaty does not commit Members to any military responsibilities to any other Members. At no time may this Treaty be used to compel other Members to aiding in any conflict.
Article 7
The Articles of this Treaty shall come into force 60 days after signing.
Members will be considered probationary until this Treaty comes into force, during which time they may enact any measures necessary to abide by these Articles.
Members may resign from this Treaty at any time, but 60 days notice must be given to the Council of Members. Furthermore, any subsequent re-admittance following the withdrawal from this Treaty shall result in a 120 day probationary period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement:
Prime Minister John Jacobi, the Constitutional Monarchy of -Bretonia-
Strengthen economic relations and break down barriers to interstellar trade,
Promote a transparent business environment that will allow enterprises to plan effectively under consistent conditions,
Foster innovation and promote stronger links between dynamic sectors of our economies,
Encourage liberalised economic conditions and respect for the right to private property of our citizens,
Implement this Treaty in a manner consistent with our respective commitment to high standards of labour, sustainable development and economic growth,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
All Members hereby establish a free trade area in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty.
The Treaty shall not be construed to derogate from any international legal obligation between the Members that entitles goods or services, or suppliers of goods or services, to treatment more favourable than that accorded by this Treaty.
Article 2
Each Member shall progressively eliminate its customs duties on originating goods of the other Members.
No Member may increase an existing customs duty or introduce a new customs duty on imports of an originating good.
No Member may apply a customs duty to a good, regardless of its origin, that re-enters its territory after that good has been exported temporarily from its territory to the territory of one of the other Members for repair or alteration, regardless of whether the repair or alteration could be performed in its territory.
No Member may apply a customs duty to a good, regardless of its origin, imported temporarily from the territory of another Member for repair or alteration.
Each Member shall grant duty-free entry to commercial samples of negligible value, and to printed advertising materials, imported from the territory of another Member, regardless of their origin.
Each Member retains the right to levy new or modify existing customs duties against nations which have not signed this agreement.
Article 3
This Treaty does not disregard each Member's sovereign right to disallow entry of goods which are designated as illegal contraband within their borders.
Under this Treaty, each Member retains the right to stop and search any incoming cargo where reason exists to suspect illegal activities, provided this suspicion is justified to the Galactic Economic Treaty Council of Members.
All Members agree to allow originating goods to flow unhindered unless reason exists to suspect illegal activities.
Article 4
All Members agree to the formation of the Galactic Economic Treaty Council of Members, for the purposes of regulating and enforcing this Treaty.
All Members will nominate a single citizen to sit on the Council of Members to represent their interests.
On any matter where the Articles of this Treaty are called into question, the Council of Members may vote on an amendment or addition. A two-third vote of all Council Members shall be required for any such change to pass.
Where any Member fails to abide by the Articles of this Treaty, or abuses any Articles of this Treaty, the Council of Members shall vote to determine an appropriate course of action, ranging from fines up to the total expulsion of the Member in question from this Treaty.
Article 5
All Members must recognise the rights of individuals to the ownership of personal property, and afford this right to all citizens without prejudice to race, gender, ability or religion.
The right to ownership of personal property does not preclude the right of the Member to extract taxation from its citizens, provided this taxation is below 60%.
All Members must agree to afford the measures in this Article to any citizens of other Members whilst located within the borders of the Galactic Economic Treaty.
All Members agree to progressively introduce the measures outlined in this Article upon signing this Treaty, where such measures do not exist already.
Article 6
Where a state of active war exists between two or more Members, the Article of this Treaty may be temporarily suspended between them. All warring members must continue to uphold the Articles of this Treaty with all uninvolved Members.
When a conclusion to any conflict is reached, and a state of active war no longer exists, all involved members must recommence honouring of these Articles with each other immediately.
This Treaty does not commit Members to any military responsibilities to any other Members. At no time may this Treaty be used to compel other Members to aiding in any conflict.
Article 7
The Articles of this Treaty shall come into force 60 days after signing.
Members will be considered probationary until this Treaty comes into force, during which time they may enact any measures necessary to abide by these Articles.
Members may resign from this Treaty at any time, but 60 days notice must be given to the Council of Members. Furthermore, any subsequent re-admittance following the withdrawal from this Treaty shall result in a 120 day probationary period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorised by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement:
Prime Minister John Jacobi, the Constitutional Monarchy of -Bretonia-