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Agreement Between Canada and the Republic of Serbia for the Promotion and Protection of Investments

Table of Contents

Canada and the Republic of Serbia (the “Parties”),

Recognizing that the promotion and the protection of investments of investors of one Party in the territory of the other Party will be conducive to the stimulation of mutually beneficial business activity, to the development of economic cooperation between them and to the promotion of sustainable development,

Have Agreed as follows:

Section A – Definitions

Article 1: Definitions

For the purpose of this Agreement:

“competition authority” means:

for Canada, the Commissioner of Competition or a successor to be notified to the Republic of Serbia by diplomatic note; and

for the Republic of Serbia, the Commission for the Protection of Competition or a successor to be notified to Canada by diplomatic note;

“confidential information” means confidential business information or information that is privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure under the law of a Party;

“covered investment” means, with respect to a Party, an investment in its territory that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an investor of the other Party existing on the date of entry into force of this Agreement, as well as an investment made or acquired thereafter;

“disputing party” means either the respondent Party or the investor that has made a claim under Section C;

“enterprise” means an entity constituted or organized under applicable law, whether or not for profit, whether privately owned or governmentally owned, including a corporation, trust, partnership, sole proprietorship, joint venture or other association and a branch of any such entity. For greater certainty, the term enterprise in the case of the Republic of Serbia, includes an enterprise undergoing privatization;

“existing” means in effect on the date of entry into force of this Agreement;

“financial institution” means a financial intermediary or other enterprise that is authorized to do business and regulated or supervised as a financial institution under the law of the Party in whose territory it is located;

“financial service” means a service of a financial nature, including insurance, and a service incidental or auxiliary to a service of a financial nature;

“ICSID” means the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes established by the ICSID Convention;

“ICSID Convention” means the Convention on the settlement of investment disputes between States and nationals of other States, done at Washington on 18 March 1965;

“information protected under its competition laws” means:

for Canada, information within the scope of Section 29 of the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 34, or a successor provision; and

for the Republic of Serbia, information in accordance with Article 45 of the Law on the Protection of Competition, or a successor provision;

“intellectual property rights” means copyright and related rights, trademark rights, rights in geographical indications, rights in industrial designs, patent rights, rights in layout designs of integrated circuits, rights in relation to protection of undisclosed information, and plant breeders’ rights;

“investment” means:

but “investment” does not mean:

“investor of a Party” means a Party, or a national or an enterprise of a Party, that seeks to make, is making or has made an investment. For greater certainty, it is understood that an investor seeks to make an investment only when the investor has taken concrete steps necessary to make the said investment, such as when the investor has made an application for permit or licence authorising the establishment of an investment;

“measure” includes a law, regulation, procedure, requirement or practice;

“national” means:

except that:

“national government” means:

“New York Convention” means the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, done at New York on 10 June 1958;

“person” means a natural person or an enterprise;

“person engaged in a cultural industry” means a person engaged in the following activities:

“respondent Party” means a Party against which a claim is made under Section C;

“sub-national government” means:

“tax convention” means a convention for the avoidance of double taxation or other international taxation agreement or arrangement;

“territory” means:

for Canada:

for the Republic of Serbia:

“ Tribunal” means an arbitration tribunal established under Article 24 or Article 28 of this Agreement;

“TRIPS Agreement” means the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights;

“UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules” means the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, in their most recent form; and

“WTO Agreement” means the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, done at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994.

Section B – Substantive Obligations

Article 2: Scope

1. This Agreement shall apply to measures adopted or maintained by a Party relating to:

2. The obligations in Section B apply to a person of a Party when it exercises a regulatory, administrative or other governmental authority delegated to it by that Party.

Article 3: Promotion of Investment

Each Party shall encourage the creation of favourable conditions for investment in its territory by investors of the other Party and shall admit those investments in accordance with this Agreement.

Article 4: National Treatment

1. Each Party shall accord to an investor of the other Party treatment no less favourable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to its own investors with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation and sale or other disposition of an investment in its territory.

2. Each Party shall accord to a covered investment treatment no less favourable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to investments of its own investors with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation and sale or other disposition of an investment in its territory.

3. The treatment accorded by a Party under paragraphs 1 and 2 means, with respect to a sub-national government, treatment accorded, in like circumstances, by that sub-national government to investors, and to investments of investors, of the Party of which it forms a part.

Article 5: Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment

1. Each Party shall accord to an investor of the other Party treatment no less favourable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to investors of a non-Party with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation and sale or other disposition of an investment in its territory.

2. Each Party shall accord to a covered investment treatment no less favourable than that it accords, in like circumstances, to investments of investors of a non-Party with respect to the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct, operation and sale or other disposition of an investment in its territory.

3. For greater certainty, the treatment accorded by a Party under paragraphs 1 and 2 means, with respect to a sub-national government, treatment accorded, in like circumstances, by that sub-national government to investors, and to investments of investors, of a non-Party.

Article 6: Minimum Standard of Treatment

1. Each Party shall accord to a covered investment treatment in accordance with the customary international law minimum standard of treatment of aliens, including fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security.

2. The concepts of “fair and equitable treatment” and “full protection and security” in paragraph 1 do not require treatment in addition to or beyond that which is required by the customary international law minimum standard of treatment of aliens.

3. A breach of another provision of this Agreement, or of a separate international agreement, does not establish that there has been a breach of this Article.

Article 7: Compensation for Losses

Notwithstanding Article 17(5)(b), each Party shall accord to an investor of the other Party, and to a covered investment, non-discriminatory treatment with respect to measures it adopts or maintains relating to compensation for losses incurred by investments in its territory as a result of armed conflict, civil strife, or state of emergency, including as a result of a natural disaster.

Article 8: Senior Management, Boards of Directors and Entry of Personnel

1. A Party may not require that an enterprise of that Party that is a covered investment appoint to a senior management position an individual of any particular nationality.

2. A Party may require that a majority of the board of directors, or a committee thereof, of an enterprise of that Party that is a covered investment be of a particular nationality or resident in the territory of the Party, provided that the requirement does not materially impair the ability of the investor to exercise control over its investment.

3. Subject to its domestic law relating to the entry of aliens, each Party shall grant temporary entry to nationals employed by an investor of the other Party who seek to render managerial or executive services, or services that require specialized knowledge, to an investment of that investor in the territory of the Party.

Article 9: Performance Requirements

1. A Party may not impose or enforce the following requirements, or enforce a commitment or undertaking, in connection with the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct or operation of a covered investment or any other investment in its territory:

2. A measure that requires an investment to use a technology to meet generally applicable health, safety or environmental requirements is not inconsistent with subparagraph 1(f).

3. A Party may not condition the receipt or continued receipt of an advantage, in connection with a covered investment or any other investment in its territory, on compliance with the following requirements:

4.

5. Paragraphs 1 and 3 do not apply to a requirement other than the requirements set out in those paragraphs.

6. The provisions of:

Article 10: Expropriation

1. A Party may not nationalize or expropriate a covered investment either directly or indirectly through measures having an effect equivalent to nationalization or expropriation (“expropriation”), except for a public purpose, in accordance with due process of law, in a non-discriminatory manner and on payment of compensation in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3. For greater certainty, this paragraph shall be interpreted in accordance with Annex B.10.

2. The compensation referred to in paragraph 1 must be equivalent to the fair market value of the expropriated investment immediately before the expropriation took place (“date of expropriation”), and must not reflect a change in value occurring because the intended expropriation had become known earlier. Valuation criteria must include going concern value, asset value including the declared tax value of tangible property, and other criteria, as appropriate, to determine fair market value.

3. Compensation shall be paid without delay and shall be fully realizable and freely transferable. Compensation shall be paid in a freely convertible currency and shall include interest at an appropriate commercial rate for that currency accrued from the date of expropriation until the date of payment.

4. The affected investor shall have a right under the law of the expropriating Party to prompt review of its case and of the valuation of its investment by a judicial or other independent authority of that Party in accordance with the principles set out in this Article.

5. This Article does not apply to the issuance of a compulsory licence granted in relation to intellectual property rights, or to the revocation, limitation or creation of an intellectual property right, to the extent that the issuance, revocation, limitation or creation is consistent with the WTO Agreement.

Article 11: Transfers

1. Each Party shall permit all transfers relating to a covered investment to be made freely, and without delay, into and out of its territory. Those transfers include:

2. Each Party shall permit transfers relating to a covered investment to be made in the convertible currency in which the capital was originally invested, or in another convertible currency agreed to by the investor and the Party concerned. Unless otherwise agreed by the investor, transfers shall be made at the market rate of exchange in effect on the date of transfer.

3. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, a Party may prevent a transfer through the equitable, non-discriminatory and good faith application of its domestic law relating to:

4. A Party may not require one of its investors to transfer, or penalize one of its investors for failing to transfer, the income, earnings, profits or other amounts derived from, or attributable to, an investment in the territory of the other Party.

5. Paragraph 4 does not prevent a Party from imposing a measure through the equitable, non-discriminatory and good faith application of its domestic law relating to the matters in subparagraphs 3(a) through 3(e).

6. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 4, and without limiting the applicability of paragraph 5, a Party may prevent or limit transfers by a financial institution to, or for the benefit of, an affiliate of or person related to that institution, through the equitable, non-discriminatory and good faith application of a measure relating to maintenance of the safety, soundness, integrity or financial responsibility of financial institutions.

7. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, a Party may restrict transfers of returns in kind in circumstances where it could otherwise restrict those transfers under the WTO Agreement and as set out in paragraph 3.

Article 12: Transparency

1. Each Party shall ensure that its laws, regulations, procedures, and administrative rulings of general application respecting a matter covered by this Agreement are promptly published or otherwise made available in such a manner as to enable interested persons and the other Party to become acquainted with them.

2. To the extent possible, each Party shall:

3. Upon request by a Party, the other Party shall provide information on a measure that may have an impact on a covered investment.

Article 13: Subrogation

1. If a Party or an agency of a Party makes a payment to one of its investors under a guarantee or a contract of insurance it has entered into in respect of an investment, the other Party shall recognize the validity of the subrogation in favour of the first-mentioned Party or agency to a right or claim held by the investor.

2. A Party or an agency of a Party, that is subrogated to a right of an investor in accordance with paragraph 1, is entitled to the same rights as those of the investor regarding the investment. Those rights may be exercised by the Party or an agency of the Party or by the investor if the Party or its agency so authorizes.

Article 14: Taxation Measures

1. Except as set out in this Article, this Agreement does not apply to a taxation measure.

2. This Agreement does not affect the rights and obligations of a Party under a tax convention. In the event of inconsistency between this Agreement and a tax convention, that convention prevails.

3. This Agreement does not require a Party to furnish or allow access to information, which if disclosed, would be contrary to the Party’s law protecting information concerning the taxation affairs of a taxpayer.

4. Subject to paragraph 2, the provisions of Articles 4 and 5 apply to all taxation measures, other than those on income, capital gains or on the taxable capital of corporations, except that nothing in those Articles shall apply:

5. Provided that the conditions in paragraph 6 are met:

6. An investor may not make a claim under paragraph 5 unless:

7. If, in connection with a claim by an investor of a Party or a dispute between the Parties, an issue arises as to whether a measure of a Party is a taxation measure, a Party may refer the issue to the taxation authorities of the Parties. A decision of the taxation authorities shall bind a Tribunal formed pursuant to Section C or arbitral panel formed pursuant to Section D. A Tribunal or arbitral panel seized of a claim or a dispute in which the issue arises may not proceed until it receives the decision of the taxation authorities. If the taxation authorities have not decided the issue within six months of the referral, the Tribunal or arbitral panel shall decide the issue.

8. Each Party shall notify the other Party by diplomatic note of the identity of the taxation authorities referred to in this Article.

Article 15: Health, Safety and Environmental Measures

The Parties recognize that it is inappropriate to encourage investment by relaxing domestic health, safety or environmental measures. Accordingly, a Party should not waive or otherwise derogate from, or offer to waive or otherwise derogate from, those measures to encourage the establishment, acquisition, expansion or retention in its territory of an investment of an investor. If a Party considers that the other Party has offered such an encouragement, it may request consultations with the other Party and the two Parties shall consult with a view to avoiding the encouragement

Article 16: Corporate Social Responsibility

Each Party should encourage enterprises operating within its territory or subject to its jurisdiction to voluntarily incorporate internationally recognized standards of corporate social responsibility in their practices and internal policies, such as statements of principle that have been endorsed or are supported by the Parties. These principles address issues such as labour, the environment, human rights, community relations and anti-corruption.

Article 17: Reservations and Exceptions

1. Articles 4, 5, 8 and 9 shall not apply to:

2. For illustrative purposes only and without prejudice to paragraph 1, each Party shall, to the extent possible, set out in its Schedule to Annex I any existing non-conforming measures that it maintains at the national level.

3. Articles 4, 5, 8 and 9 shall not apply to any measure that a Party adopts or maintains with respect to sectors, subsectors or activities, as set out in its Schedule to Annex II.

4. Article 5 shall not apply to treatment accorded by a Party pursuant to agreements as set out in its schedule to Annex III.

5. In respect of intellectual property rights, a Party may derogate from Articles 4, 5 and 9(1)(f) in a manner that is consistent with:

6. Articles 4, 5 and 8 do not apply to:

7. Article 5 of this Agreement does not apply to financial services.

Article 18: General Exceptions

1. For the purpose of this Agreement:

2. This Agreement does not prevent a Party from adopting or maintaining reasonable measures for prudential reasons, such as:

3. This Agreement does not apply to non-discriminatory measures of general application taken by a public entity in pursuit of monetary and related credit or exchange rate policies. This paragraph shall not affect a Party’s obligations under Article 9 or Article 11.

4. This Agreement does not:

5. This Agreement does not require a Party to furnish or allow access to information which if disclosed would impede law enforcement or would be contrary to the Party’s law protecting the deliberative and policy-making processes of the executive branch of government at the cabinet level, personal privacy or the confidentiality of the financial affairs and accounts of individual customers of financial institutions.

6. In the course of a dispute settlement procedure under this Agreement:

7. This Agreement does not apply to a measure adopted or maintained by a Party with respect to a person engaged in a cultural industry.

8. If a right or obligation in this Agreement duplicates one under the WTO Agreement, the Parties agree that a measure adopted by a Party in conformity with a waiver decision granted by the WTO pursuant to Article IX of the WTO Agreement is deemed to be also in conformity with the present Agreement. Such conforming measure of either Party may not give rise to a claim by an investor of one Party against the other under Section C of this Agreement.

Article 19: Denial of Benefits

A Party may deny the benefits of this Agreement to an investor of the other Party that is an enterprise of that Party and to investments of that investor if investors of a non-Party or of the denying Party own or control the enterprise and:

Section C – Settlement of Disputes Between an Investor and the Host Party

Article 20: Purpose

Without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the Parties under Section D, this Section establishes a mechanism for the settlement of investment disputes.

Article 21: Claim by an Investor of a Party on Its Own Behalf or on Behalf of an Enterprise

1. An investor of a Party may submit to arbitration under this Section a claim that:

2. An investor of a Party, on behalf of an enterprise of the respondent Party that is a juridical person that the investor owns or controls directly or indirectly, may submit to arbitration under this Section a claim that:

Article 22: Conditions Precedent to Submission of a Claim to Arbitration

1. The disputing parties shall hold consultations and attempt to settle a claim amicably before an investor may submit a claim to arbitration. Unless the disputing parties agree to a longer period, consultations shall be held within 60 days of the submission of the notice of intent to submit a claim to arbitration under subparagraph 2(c). The place of consultation shall be the capital of the respondent Party, unless the disputing parties otherwise agree.

2. An investor may submit a claim to arbitration under Article 21 only if:

3. Subparagraphs 2(e)(ii), (iii) and 2(f)(ii) do not apply to proceedings before a judicial or administrative tribunal or court under the domestic law of the respondent Party for injunctive, declaratory or other extraordinary relief, not involving the payment of damages.

4. The disputing investor or the enterprise shall deliver the consent and waiver required under paragraph 2 to the respondent Party and the investor shall include them in the submission of a claim to arbitration. A waiver from the enterprise under subparagraphs 2(e)(iii) or 2(f)(ii) is not required if the respondent Party has deprived the investor of control of the enterprise.

Article 23: Special Rules Regarding Financial Services

1. With respect to:

this Section applies only in respect of claims that the respondent Party has breached an obligation under Article 10, 11 or 19.

2. Where an investor or respondent Party claims that a dispute involves measures adopted or maintained by the respondent Party relating to financial institutions of the other Party or investors of the other Party and their investments in financial institutions in the respondent Party’s territory, or where the respondent Party invokes Articles 11(6), 18(2) or 18(3), the arbitrators shall, in addition to the criteria set out in Article 26(2), have expertise or experience in financial services law or practice, which may include the regulation of financial institutions.

3. Where an investor submits a claim to arbitration under this Section, and the respondent Party invokes Article 11(6), 18(2) or 18(3), at the request of that Party, the Tribunal shall request a report in writing from the Parties on the issue of whether and to what extent the invoked paragraph is a valid defence to the claim of the investor. The Tribunal may not proceed pending receipt of a report under this Article.

4. Where the Tribunal requests a report under paragraph 3, the Parties shall prepare a written report. If the Parties cannot agree, they shall submit the issue to an arbitral panel established in accordance with Section D that shall prepare the written report. The report shall be transmitted to the Tribunal and be binding on it.

5. The Tribunal may decide the matter where, within 70 days of the referral by the Tribunal, no request for the establishment of a panel pursuant to paragraph 4 has been made and no report has been received by the Tribunal.

Article 24: Submission of a Claim to Arbitration

1. An investor that meets the conditions precedent in Article 22 may submit a claim to arbitration under:

2. Except to the extent modified by this Agreement, the arbitration is governed by the arbitration rules applicable under paragraph 1 that are in effect on the date that the claim is submitted to arbitration under this Section.

3. The Parties may adopt supplemental rules of procedure that complement the arbitration rules listed in paragraph 1 and these rules apply to the arbitration. The Parties shall promptly publish the supplemental rules of procedure that they adopt or otherwise make them available in such a manner as to enable interested persons to become acquainted with them.

4. A claim is submitted to arbitration under this Section when:

5. Each Party shall notify the other Party by diplomatic note of the place of delivery of notices and other documents.

6. If, following the submission of a claim to arbitration under this Section, the investor fails to take any steps in the proceeding during six consecutive months, and subject to both disputing parties agreeing otherwise, the investor shall be deemed to have withdrawn its claim and to have discontinued the proceedings. Thereupon, the claim of the investor shall be deemed not to have been filed under this Section and the authority of any tribunal established to hear that claim to have lapsed.

Article 25: Consent to Arbitration

1. Each Party consents to the submission of a claim to arbitration in accordance with the procedures set out in this Agreement. Failure to meet a condition precedent listed in Article 22 nullifies that consent.

2. The consent given in paragraph 1 and the submission by an investor of a claim to arbitration satisfies the requirement of:

Article 26: Arbitrators

1. Except in respect of a Tribunal established under Article 28, and unless the disputing parties agree otherwise, the Tribunal shall be composed of three arbitrators. One arbitrator shall be appointed by each of the disputing parties and the third, who will be the presiding arbitrator, shall be appointed by agreement of the disputing parties.

2. Arbitrators shall have expertise or experience in public international law, international investment or international trade rules, or the resolution of disputes arising under international investment or international trade agreements. Arbitrators shall be independent of, and not be affiliated with or take instructions from, either Party and the disputing investor.

3. If the disputing parties do not agree on the remuneration of the arbitrators before the Tribunal is constituted, the prevailing ICSID rate for arbitrators shall apply.

4. If a Tribunal, other than a Tribunal established under Article 28, has not been constituted within 90 days from the date that a claim is submitted to arbitration, a disputing party may ask the Secretary-General of ICSID to appoint the arbitrator or arbitrators not yet appointed. The Secretary-General of ICSID shall make the appointment at his or her own discretion and, to the extent practicable, this appointment shall be made in consultation with the disputing parties. The Secretary-General of ICSID may not appoint as presiding arbitrator a national of a Party.

Article 27: Agreement to Appointment of Arbitrators

1. For the purposes of Article 39 of the ICSID Convention and Article 7 of Schedule C to the ICSID Additional Facility Rules, and without prejudice to an objection to an arbitrator based on a ground other than nationality:

Article 28: Consolidation

1. A disputing party that seeks a consolidation order under this Article shall request that the Secretary-General of ICSID establish a Tribunal and shall specify in the request:

2. The disputing party shall deliver a copy of the request to the respondent Party or investors against which the order is sought.

3. Within 60 days of receiving the request, the Secretary-General of ICSID shall establish a Tribunal composed of three arbitrators. The Secretary-General of ICSID shall appoint one member who is a national of the respondent Party, one member who is a national of the Party of the investors that submitted the claims, and a presiding arbitrator who is not a national of a Party.

4. A Tribunal established under this Article shall be established under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and shall conduct its proceedings in accordance with those Rules, except as modified by this Section.

5. If a Tribunal established under this Article is satisfied that claims submitted to arbitration under Article 24 have a question of law or fact in common, the Tribunal may, in the interest of fair and efficient resolution of the claims and after hearing the disputing parties, by order:

6. Where a Tribunal has been established under this Article, an investor that has submitted a claim to arbitration under Article 24 and that has not been named in a request made under paragraph 1 may make a written request to the Tribunal that it be included in an order made under paragraph 5, and shall specify in the request:

7. An investor referred to in paragraph 6 shall deliver a copy of its request to the disputing parties named in a request under paragraph 1.

8. A Tribunal established under Article 24 does not have jurisdiction to decide a claim, or a part of a claim, over which a Tribunal established under this Article has assumed jurisdiction.

9. On application of a disputing party, a Tribunal established under this Article, pending its decision under paragraph 5, may order that the proceedings of a Tribunal established under Article 24 be stayed unless the latter Tribunal has already adjourned its proceedings.

Article 29: Documents to, and Participation of, the Other Party

1. The respondent Party shall deliver to the other Party a copy of the notice of intent to submit a claim to arbitration and other documents within 30 days of the date those documents have been delivered to the respondent Party. The other Party is entitled, at its cost, to receive from the respondent Party a copy of the evidence that has been tendered to the Tribunal, copies of pleadings filed in the arbitration, and the written argument of the disputing parties. The Party receiving such information shall treat the information as if it were a respondent Party.

2. The other Party has the right to attend hearings held under this Section. Upon written notice to the disputing parties, the other Party may make submissions to a Tribunal on questions of interpretation of this Agreement.

Article 30: Place of Arbitration

The disputing parties may agree on the place of arbitration under the arbitral rules applicable under Article 24(1) or 28(4). If the disputing parties fail to agree, the Tribunal shall determine the place in accordance with the applicable arbitral rules, provided that the place shall be in the territory of a Party or of a third State that is a party to the New York Convention.

Article 31: Public Access to Hearings and Documents

1. A Tribunal award under this Section shall be publicly available, subject to the redaction of confidential information. All other documents submitted to, or issued by, the Tribunal shall be publicly available unless the disputing parties otherwise agree, subject to the redaction of confidential information.

2. Hearings held under this Section shall be open to the public. The Tribunal may hold portions of hearings in camera to the extent necessary to ensure the protection of confidential information.

3. A disputing party may disclose to other persons in connection with the arbitral proceedings such unredacted documents as it considers necessary for the preparation of its case, but it shall ensure that those persons protect the confidential information in those documents.

4. The Parties may share with officials of their respective national and sub-national governments all relevant unredacted documents in the course of dispute settlement under this Section, but they shall ensure that those persons protect the confidential information in those documents.

5. If a Tribunal’s order designates information as confidential and a Party’s law on access to information requires public access to that information, the Party’s law on access to information prevails. However, the Party should try to apply its law on access to information so as to protect information that the Tribunal’s order has designated as confidential.

Article 32: Submissions by a non-disputing party

A Tribunal has the authority to consider and accept written submissions from a person or entity that is not a disputing party with a significant interest in the arbitration. The Tribunal shall ensure that a non-disputing party submission does not disrupt the proceedings and does not unduly burden or unfairly prejudice a disputing party.

Article 33: Governing Law

1. A Tribunal established under this Section shall decide the issues in dispute consistently with this Agreement and applicable rules of international law. A joint interpretation by the Parties of a provision of this Agreement shall bind a Tribunal established under this Section, and an award under this Section must be consistent with that interpretation.

2. On the request of a respondent Party that asserts as a defence that the measure alleged to be a breach is within the scope of a reservation or exception set out in Article 17(1), or Annex II or Annex III, the Tribunal shall request the joint interpretation of the Parties on the issue. Within 60 days of the delivery of the request, the Parties shall submit in writing their joint interpretation to the Tribunal. The joint interpretation is binding on the Tribunal. If the Parties fail to submit their joint interpretation within 60 days of the Tribunal’s request, the Tribunal shall decide the issue.

Article 34: Expert Reports

1. Subject to paragraph 2, a Tribunal may appoint an expert to report to it in writing on a factual issue concerning environmental, health, safety or other scientific matter raised by a disputing party, subject to such terms and conditions as the disputing parties may decide.

2. The Tribunal may not appoint an expert under paragraph 1 if the disputing parties agree that the Tribunal may not do so.

3. Paragraph 1 does not affect the appointment of other kinds of experts where the appointment is authorized by the applicable arbitration rules.

Article 35: Interim Measures of Protection and Final Award

1. A Tribunal may order an interim measure of protection to preserve the rights of a disputing party or to ensure that the Tribunal’s jurisdiction is made fully effective, including an order to preserve evidence in the possession or control of a disputing party or to protect the Tribunal’s jurisdiction. A Tribunal may not order attachment or enjoin the application of the measure alleged to constitute a breach referred to in Article 21. For the purposes of this paragraph, an order includes a recommendation.

2. Where a Tribunal makes a final award against the respondent Party, the Tribunal may award, separately or in combination, only:

The Tribunal may also award costs in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules.

3. Subject to paragraph 2, where a claim is made under Article 21(2):

4. A Tribunal may not order the respondent Party to pay punitive damages.

Article 36: Finality and Enforcement of an Award

1. An award made by a Tribunal has no binding force except between the disputing parties and in respect of that particular case.

2. Subject to paragraph 3 and the applicable review procedure for an interim award, a disputing party shall abide by and comply with an award without delay.

3. A disputing party may not seek enforcement of a final award until:

4. Each Party shall provide for the enforcement of an award in its territory.

5. A claim that is submitted to arbitration under this Section shall be considered to arise out of a commercial relationship or transaction for the purposes of Article I of the New York Convention.

Article 37: Receipts under Insurance or Guarantee Contracts

In an arbitration under this Section, a respondent Party may not assert as a defence, counterclaim, right of setoff, or otherwise that the investor has received or will receive, under an insurance or guarantee contract, indemnification or other compensation for all or part of its alleged damages.

Section D – State-to-State Dispute Settlement Procedures

Article 38: Disputes between the Parties

1. A Party may request consultations on the interpretation or application of this Agreement. The other Party shall give sympathetic consideration to the request. A dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall, whenever possible, be settled amicably through consultations.

2. If a dispute cannot be settled through consultations, it shall, at the request of a Party, be submitted to an arbitral panel for decision.

3. An arbitral panel shall be constituted for each dispute. Within two months after receipt through diplomatic channels of the request for arbitration, each Party shall appoint one member to the arbitral panel. The two members shall then select a national of a third State who, upon approval by the two Parties, shall be appointed Chair of the arbitral panel. The Chair shall be appointed within two months from the date of appointment of the other two members of the arbitral panel.

4. If within the periods specified in paragraph 3 the necessary appointments have not been made, a Party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointments. If the President is a national of a Party or is otherwise prevented from discharging the said function, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the necessary appointments. If the Vice-President is a national of a Party or is otherwise prevented from discharging this function, the Member of the International Court of Justice next in seniority, who is not a national of a Party, shall be invited to make the necessary appointments.

5. Arbitrators shall have expertise or experience in public international law, international trade or international investment rules, or the resolution of disputes arising under international trade or international investment agreements. They shall be independent of, and not be affiliated with or take instructions from a Party.

6. Where a Party determines that the dispute involves measures relating to financial institutions, or to investors or investments of such investors in financial institutions, or where a Party invokes Article 11(6), 18(2) or 18(3), the arbitrators shall, in addition to the criteria set out in paragraph 5, have expertise or experience in financial services law or practice, which may include the regulation of financial institutions.

7. The arbitral panel shall determine its own procedure. The arbitral panel shall reach its decision by a majority of votes. The decision is binding on both Parties. Unless otherwise agreed, the decision of the arbitral panel shall be rendered within six months of the appointment of the Chair.

8. Each Party shall bear the costs of its own member of the panel and of its representation in the arbitral proceedings. The costs related to the Chair and any remaining costs shall be borne equally by the Parties. The arbitral panel may, however, award that a higher proportion of costs be borne by one of the two Parties, and this award shall be binding on both Parties.

9. Within 60 days of the decision of an arbitral panel, the Parties shall agree on the manner in which to resolve their dispute. The agreement must normally implement the decision of the arbitral panel. If the Parties fail to agree, the Party bringing the dispute shall be entitled to compensation or to suspend benefits of equivalent value to those awarded by the panel.

Section E – Final Provisions

Article 39: Consultations and other Actions

1. A Party may request in writing consultations with the other Party regarding an actual or proposed measure or any other matter that it considers might affect the operation of this Agreement.

2. The consultations under paragraph 1 may address, inter alia, matters relating to:

3. Further to consultations under this Article, the Parties may take an action as they may agree, including making and adopting rules supplementing the applicable arbitral rules under Section C of this Agreement.

Article 40: Extent of Obligations

Each Party shall ensure that it takes all necessary measures to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement, including their observance, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, by its sub-national governments.

Article 41: Exclusions

Sections C and D of this Agreement do not apply to the matters set out in Annex IV.

Article 42: Application and Entry into Force

1. All Annexes are an integral part of this Agreement.

2. Each Party shall notify the other in writing of the completion of the procedures required in its territory for the entry into force of this Agreement. This Agreement enters into force on the date of the later of these notifications.

3. This Agreement shall remain in force unless a Party notifies the other Party in writing of its intention to terminate it. The termination of this Agreement will be effective one year after notice of termination has been received by the other Party. In respect of investments or commitments to invest made prior to the date when the termination of this Agreement becomes effective, Articles 1 to 41 inclusive, as well as paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, shall remain in force for a period of 15 years.

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned, duly authorised, have signed this Agreement.

DONE in two originals at _____________________________ on this _____________________________ day of _____________________________ 2014, in the English, French and Serbian languages, each version being equally authentic.

For Canada

_____________________________

For the Republic of Serbia

_____________________________

Annex B.10: Expropriation

The Parties confirm their shared understanding that:

Annex I: Reservations for Existing Measures and Liberalization Commitments

Schedule of Canada

1. Investment Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 28 (1st Supp.)

Investment Canada Regulations, SOR/85-611

These measures deal with the acquisition and establishment of businesses by non-Canadians and state that the establishment of new businesses by non-Canadians may be subject to review. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4, 8 and 9.

2. Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-44

Canada Business Corporations Regulations, SOR/2001-512

Canada Cooperatives Act, S.C. 1998, c. 1

Canada Cooperatives Regulations, SOR/99-256

Canada Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-32

The Canada Business Corporations Act provides for constraints on shares of businesses and cooperatives incorporated pursuant to Canadian legislation to maintain participation requirements and Canadian ownership and control levels set out in the Canada Business Corporations Regulations. These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

3. Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-44

Canada Business Corporations Regulations, SOR/2001-512

Canada Cooperatives Act, S.C. 1998, c. 1

Canada Cooperatives Regulations, SOR/99-256

Canada Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-32

Special Acts of Parliament incorporating specific companies

These measures contain provisions dealing with the nationality of senior management or directors of Canadian businesses. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 8.

4. Citizenship Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-29

Foreign Ownership of Land Regulations, SOR/79-416

These measures deal with foreign ownership of land. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

5. Air Canada Public Participation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 35 (4th Supp.)

Canadian Arsenals Limited Divestiture Authorization Act, S.C. 1986, c. 20

Eldorado Nuclear Limited Reorganization and Divestiture Act, S.C. 1988, c. 41

Nordion and Theratronics Divestiture Authorization Act, S.C. 1990, c. 4

These measures set out non-resident ownership restrictions on the shares of certain companies. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

6. Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (2nd Supp.)

Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, SOR/86-1067

These measures set out residency requirements for customs brokers. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 8.

7. Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (2nd Supp.)

Duty Free Shop Regulations, SOR/86-1072

These measures set out residency and other requirements for duty free shop operations. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

8. Cultural Property Export and Import Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-51

This measure sets out restrictions on foreign participation in the import or export of cultural property. This measure is reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

9. Patent Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-4

Patent Rules, SOR/96-423

These measures set out Canadian residency requirements for registered patent agents. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 9.

10. Trade-Marks Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. T-13

Trade-mark Regulations, SOR/96-195

These measures set out Canadian residency requirements for registered trade-mark agents. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 9.

11. Canada Petroleum Resources Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 36 (2nd Supp.)

Territorial Lands Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. T-7

Federal Real Property and Federal Immovables Act, S.C. 1991, c. 50

Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, S.C. 1987, c. 3

Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, S.C. 1988, c. 28

Canada Oil and Gas Land Regulations, C.R.C. 1978, c. 1518

These measures set out Canadian ownership requirements for oil and gas production licenses. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

12. Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. O-7

Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, S.C. 1988, c. 28

Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, S.C. 1987, c. 3

Measures implementing the Canada-Yukon Oil and Gas Accord

Measures implementing the Northwest Territories Oil and Gas Accord

These measures deal with benefits plans required to obtain authorisations set out in these measures. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 9.

13. Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, S.C. 1987, c. 3

Hibernia Development Project Act, S.C. 1990, c. 41

These measures deal with benefits plans and performance requirements. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 9.

14. Investment Canada Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 28 (1st Supp.)

Investment Canada Regulations, SOR/85-611

Non-Resident Ownership Policy in the Uranium Mining Sector, 1987

These measures deal with non-resident ownership in the uranium mining sector. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 5.

15. Canada Transportation Act, S.C. 1996, c.10

Aeronautics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.A-2

Canadian Aviation Regulations, SOR/96-433

These measures set out restrictions on non-Canadians wishing to register or operate Canadian aircraft or to provide air services in Canada. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

16. Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26

This measure sets out requirements to own a ship on the Canadian register. It is reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

17. Canada Shipping Act, 2001, S.C. 2001, c. 26

Marine Personnel Regulations, SOR/2007-115

These measures set out restrictions on the provision of services on Canadian ships by non-Canadians. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 8.

18. Pilotage Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. P-14

General Pilotage Regulations, SOR/2000-132

Atlantic Pilotage Authority Regulations, C.R.C. 1978, c. 1264

Laurentian Pilotage Authority Regulations, C.R.C. 1978, c. 1268

Great Lakes Pilotage Regulations, C.R.C. 1978, c. 1266

Pacific Pilotage Regulations, C.R.C. 1978, c. 1270

These measures set out restrictions on non-Canadians in relation to pilotage. They are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 8.

Schedule of the Republic of Serbia

1. Law on Foreign Investments (“Official Journal of FRY”, No. 3/02 and 5/03)

Law on Foreign Trade in Armaments, Military Equipment and Dual Use Goods (“Official Journal of SaM”,No. 7/05 and 8/05-correction)

Law on the export and import of dual use items (Official Herald of RS, No: 95/13)

Law on Planning and Constructions (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia ”, No. 72/09,81/09,64/10,24/11,121/12,42/13,50/13 and 98/13)

Law on Basis of Ownership and Proprietary Relations (“Official Journal of the SFRY”, No. 6/80 and 36/90 and “Official Journal of the FRY” No. 29/96 and “Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia ”, No. 115/05-other law)

Law on Agricultural Land (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”No. 62/06, 65/08 and 41/09)

These measures deal with foreign persons’ majority ownership in enterprises dealing with trade of weapons and ammunition, or in enterprises established in restricted areas (such as frontier strip, national parks, military areas) and must have the approval of the competent ministry for investments in such cases. Foreign persons may establish or invest in such a company only with a domestic person upon meeting aforementioned requirement. Agricultural land cannot be owned by foreign persons. Foreign persons may not acquire and own real estate in the Republic of Serbia except subject to meeting reciprocity requirement and if acquired property is for business use.

These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 5.

2. Law on State Aid Control (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia” No. 51/09)

Subsidies eligibility may be limited to juridical persons established within the territory of the Republic of Serbia or a particular geographical sub-division thereof or to citizens of the Republic of Serbia in case of natural persons.

These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4.

3. Law on Privatization (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No.83/14 )

Law on Bankruptcy (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 104/09 and 99/11 – other law, 71/12 and 83/14 )

Measures maintained or adopted by the government at the time of a privatization or sale of government investments are deemed to be existing measures. These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 8.

4. Customs Law (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 18/10 and 111/12)

This law sets out citizenship requirement for customs brokers. These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 8.

5. Patent Law (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 99/11)

This law sets out citizenship and other requirements for registered trade-mark agents.

These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Articles 4 and 9.

6. Law on Broadcasting (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 42/02,97/04,76/05, 79/05 – other law, 62/06, 85/06, 86/06 - correction and 41/09)

These measures deal with foreign ownership in the areas of private TV broadcasting companies and participation in the public media companies.

These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

7. Law on Public Enterprises (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia” No. 119/12, 116/13 and 44/14)

Law on Public Utility Services (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia” No. 88/11)

Law on Energy (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia” No. 57/11,80/11 corr. 93/12, 124/12)) Set of environment protection laws, such as:

Law on Environmental Protection (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia” no. 135/04, 36/09, 36/09 other law, 72/09 other law and 43/11)

Law on Waters (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia” No.30/10 and 93/12 )

Law on Waste Management (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No.36/09 and 88/10)

Law on Air Protection (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 36/09, 10/13)

Law on Protection Against Noise (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No.36/09 and 88/10), etc.

These measures regulate activities – services considered public utilities at a central, regional or local levels that may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive rights granted to private operators, in sectors such as energy services, transport services and services auxiliary to all modes of transport, scientific and technical consulting services, R&D services on social sciences and humanities, technical testing and analysis services, environmental services, health services. Exclusive rights on such services are often granted to private operators, for instance operators with concessions from public authorities, subject to specific services obligation. Given that public utilities also exist at the sub-central level detailed and exhaustive sector-specific list is not practical.

These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

8. The Law on Road Transport (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”, No. 46/95, 66/01,61/05,91/05,62/06,31/11)

This law contains provisions reserving right of cabotage for domestic suppliers of the Republic of Serbia.

These measures are reserved from the obligations imposed by Article 4.

9. Law on Air Transport (“Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia”,No.73/10, 57/11 and 93/12)

Measures in air transport dealing with right to regulate aircrafts registration in the aircraft register of the Republic of Serbia, ownership either by natural persons meeting specific nationality criteria or by juridical persons meeting specific requirements regarding ownership of capital and control (including nationality of directors), where the measure does not conform with the obligations imposed by Articles 4, 5 and 8.

Annex II: Reservations for Future Measures

Schedule of Canada

In accordance with Article 17(3) of this Agreement, Canada reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure that does not conform to the obligations set out below with respect to the following sectors or matters:

Schedule of the Republic of Serbia

In accordance with Article 17(3) of this Agreement, the Republic of Serbia reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure that does not conform to the obligations set out below with respect to the following sectors or matters:

Annex III: Exceptions from Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment

1. Article 5 does not apply to treatment accorded by a Party under a bilateral or multilateral international agreement in force or signed prior to the entry into force of this Agreement.

2. Article 5 does not apply to treatment accorded by a Party under an existing or future bilateral, regional or multilateral agreement:

Annex IV: Exclusions from Dispute Settlement

For Canada:

1. A decision by Canada following a review under the Investment Canada Act, with respect to whether or not to permit an investment that is subject to review, is not subject to the dispute settlement provisions under Sections C or D of this Agreement.

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