Decreto

Decreto n.º 12/2003

Aprova o Acordo entre a República Portuguesa e a República da Lituânia sobre a Promoção e a Protecção Recíprocas de Investimentos e respectivo Protocolo, assinados em Lisboa em 27 de Maio de 1998

Artigo 1.º

Definições

Para efeitos do presente Acordo:

1 -O termo «investimentos» compreenderá toda a espécie de bens investidos por investidores de uma Parte Contratante no território da outra Parte Contratante, nos termos das leis e regulamentos da última, incluindo, em particular mas não exclusivamente:
1. a)Propriedade sobre bens móveis e imóveis, bem como quaisquer outros direitos reais, tais como hipotecas, garantias, penhores e direitos análogos;
2. b)Acções, quotas ou outras partes sociais que representem o capital de sociedades;
3. c)Direitos de crédito ou quaisquer outros direitos com valor económico;
4. d)Direitos de propriedade intelectual tais como direitos de autor, patentes, desenhos e modelos industriais, marcas, denominações comerciais, segredos comerciais e industriais, processos técnicos, know-how, e clientela (aviamento);
5. e)Concessões conferidas por força da lei, nos termos de contrato ou acto administrativo, emanado por uma autoridade pública competente, incluindo concessões para prospecção, exploração e pesquisa de recursos naturais;
6. f)Bens que no âmbito e de conformidade com a legislação e respectivos contratos de locação sejam colocados à disposição de um locador no território de uma Parte Contratante em conformidade com as suas leis e regulamentos.
  Qualquer alteração na forma de realização dos investimentos não afectará a sua qualificação como investimentos, desde que essa alteração seja feita de acordo com as leis e regulamentos da Parte Contratante no território da qual os investimentos tenham sido realizados.
2 -O termo «rendimentos» designará os proveitos gerados por investimentos, incluindo em particular, mas não exclusivamente, lucros, dividendos, juros, royalties, ou outras formas de ganhos relacionados com o investimento, incluindo pagamentos por conta de assistência técnica.
Os rendimentos de investimentos e de reinvestimentos gozarão da mesma protecção concedida aos investimentos.
3 -O termo «investidor» designa:
1. a)Uma pessoa singular, com a nacionalidade de qualquer uma das Partes Contratantes, nos termos da respectiva legislação; e
2. b)Uma pessoa colectiva, incluindo empresas, sociedades comerciais ou outras sociedades ou associações que tenham sede e actividade comercial efectiva no território de uma das Partes Contratantes e estejam constituídas e funcionem de acordo com a lei dessa Parte Contratante.
4 -O termo «território» compreenderá o território de cada uma das Partes Contratantes, incluindo o mar territorial e a área marítima ou submarina, em relação aos quais as Partes Contratantes possam exercer, de acordo com o direito internacional, direitos com vista à exploração, prospecção e preservação do leito, subsolo marítimos e recursos naturais.

Artigo 2.º

Promoção e protecção dos investimentos

1 -Qualquer das Partes Contratantes promoverá e encorajará, na medida do possível, a realização de investimentos por investidores da outra Parte Contratante no seu território, admitindo tais investimentos de acordo com as respectivas leis e regulamentos aplicáveis sobre a matéria. Em qualquer caso, concederão aos investimentos tratamento justo e equitativo.
2 -Os investimentos realizados por investidores de qualquer das Partes Contratantes no território da Parte Contratante gozarão de plena protecção e segurança no território da outra Parte Contratante.
Nenhuma Parte Contratante sujeitará a gestão, manutenção, uso, fruição ou disposição dos investimentos realizados no seu território por investidores de outra Parte Contratante a medidas injustificadas, arbitrárias ou de carácter discriminatório.

Artigo 3.º

Tratamento nacional e da nação mais favorecida

1 -Os investimentos realizados por investidores de qualquer Parte Contratante no território da outra Parte Contratante serão objecto de tratamento justo e equitativo e não menos favorável do que o concedido pela última Parte Contratante aos investimentos dos seus próprios investidores ou aos investimentos de investidores de terceiros Estados.
2 -Ambas as Partes Contratantes concederão aos investidores da outra Parte Contratante, no que respeita à gestão, manutenção, uso, fruição ou disposição dos investimentos realizados no seu território, um tratamento justo e equitativo e não menos favorável do que o concedido aos investimentos dos seus próprios investidores ou aos investimentos de investidores de terceiros Estados.
3 -As disposições deste artigo não implicam a concessão de tratamento de preferência ou privilégio por uma das Partes Contratantes a investidores da outra Parte Contratante que possa ser outorgado em virtude de:
1. a)Participação em zonas de comércio livre, uniões aduaneiras, mercados comuns existentes ou a criar, e em outros acordos internacionais similares, incluindo outras formas de cooperação económica, a que qualquer das Partes Contratantes tenha aderido ou venha a aderir; e
2. b)Acordos internacionais relacionados, total ou parcialmente, com matéria fiscal.

Artigo 4.º

Expropriação

1 -Os investimentos efectuados por investidores de uma das Partes Contratantes no território da outra Parte Contratante não poderão ser expropriados, nacionalizados ou sujeitos a outras medidas com efeitos equivalentes à expropriação ou nacionalização (adiante designadas como expropriação), excepto se:
1. a)Tal expropriação for realizada no interesse público e sujeita aos trâmites legalmente consagrados;
2. b)Tal expropriação for realizada de forma não discriminatória;
3. c)For paga compensação pronta, adequada e efectiva.
2 -A indemnização deverá corresponder ao valor de mercado que os investimentos expropriados tinham à data imediatamente anterior ao momento em que a expropriação tenha ocorrido ou ao momento em que a futura expropriação seja do conhecimento público, contando para o efeito a primeira das datas. A indemnização deverá ser paga sem demora injustificada, vencerá juros calculados com base na taxa LIBOR desde a data de expropriação até à data da sua liquidação. A indemnização deverá ser efectiva, em moeda convertível e livremente transferível.
3 -O investidor cujos investimentos tenham sido expropriados terá o direito, de acordo com a lei da Parte Contratante no território da qual os bens tiverem sido expropriados, à revisão do seu caso, em processo judicial ou outro, e à avaliação dos seus investimentos de acordo com os princípios definidos neste artigo.

Artigo 5.º

Compensação por perdas

Os investidores de uma das Partes Contratantes que venham a sofrer perdas de investimentos no território da outra Parte Contratante em virtude de guerra, estado de emergência nacional, insurreição, motim, conflitos armados, revolução ou outros eventos similares não receberão dessa Parte Contratante tratamento menos favorável do que o concedido aos seus próprios investidores ou a investidores de terceiros Estados, consoante o que for mais favorável, no que diz respeito à restituição, indemnizações ou outros factores pertinentes. As compensações daí resultantes deverão ser transferíveis livremente e sem demora injustificada, em moeda convertível.

Artigo 6.º

Transferências

1 -Cada Parte Contratante, em conformidade com a respectiva legislação aplicável à matéria, garantirá aos investidores da outra Parte Contratante a livre transferência das importâncias relacionadas com os investimentos, em particular mas não exclusivamente:
1. a)Do capital e das importâncias adicionais necessárias à manutenção ou ampliação dos investimentos;
2. b)Dos rendimentos definidos no n.º 2 do artigo 1.º deste Acordo;
3. c)Das importâncias necessárias ao reembolso de empréstimos regularmente contratados e directamente relacionados com o investimento;
4. d)Do produto resultante da alienação ou da liquidação total ou parcial dos investimentos;
5. e)Das indemnizações ou outros pagamentos previstos nos artigos 4.º e 5.º deste Acordo;
6. f)De quaisquer pagamentos preliminares que possam ter sido efectuados em nome do investidor de acordo com o artigo 7.º do presente Acordo; ou
7. g)Os salários dos nacionais de uma Parte Contratante, autorizados a trabalhar em conexão com o investimento, no território da outra Parte Contratante.
2 -As transferências referidas neste artigo serão efectuadas sem demora injustificada, à taxa de câmbio aplicável na data de transferência, em moeda convertível.

Artigo 7.º

Sub-rogação

No caso de uma das Partes Contratantes ou a agência por ela designada efectuar pagamentos a um dos seus investidores por virtude de uma garantia prestada a um investimento realizado no território da outra Parte Contratante ficará por esse facto sub-rogada nos direitos e acções desse investidor, podendo exercê-los nos mesmos termos e condições que o titular originário.

Artigo 8.º

Diferendos entre as Partes Contratantes

1 -Os diferendos que surjam entre as Partes Contratantes sobre a interpretação ou aplicação do presente Acordo serão, na medida do possível, resolvidos através de negociações por via diplomática.
2 -Se as Partes Contratantes não chegarem a acordo no prazo de seis meses após o início das negociações, o diferendo será, a pedido de qualquer das Partes Contratantes, submetido a um tribunal arbitral, nos termos do presente artigo.
3 -O tribunal arbitral será constituído ad hoc do seguinte modo: cada Parte Contratante designará um membro e ambos os membros proporão um nacional de um terceiro Estado como presidente, que será nomeado pelas duas Partes Contratantes. Os membros serão nomeados no prazo de dois meses e o presidente no prazo de três meses a contar da data em que uma das Parte Contratantes tiver comunicado à outra a intenção de submeter o diferendo a um tribunal arbitral.
4 -Se os prazos fixados no n.º 3 deste artigo não forem observados, qualquer das Partes Contratantes poderá, na falta de qualquer outro acordo, solicitar ao presidente do Tribunal Internacional de Justiça que proceda às necessárias nomeações. Se o presidente estiver impedido ou for nacional de uma das Partes Contratantes, as nomeações caberão ao vice-presidente.
Se este também estiver impedido ou for nacional de uma das Partes Contratantes, as nomeações caberão ao membro do Tribunal que se siga na hierarquia, desde que esse membro não seja nacional de qualquer das Partes Contratantes.
5 -O presidente do tribunal arbitral tem de ser nacional de um Estado com o qual ambas as Partes Contratantes mantenham relações diplomáticas.
6 -O tribunal arbitral decidirá por maioria de votos. As suas decisões serão definitivas e obrigatórias para ambas as Partes Contratantes. A cada Parte Contratante caberá suportar as despesas do respectivo árbitro, bem como da respectiva representação no processo perante o tribunal arbitral. Ambas as Partes Contratantes suportarão em partes iguais as despesas do presidente, bem como as demais despesas. O tribunal arbitral poderá adoptar um regulamento diferente quanto às despesas. Em relação a todas as outras matérias, o tribunal arbitral definirá as suas próprias regras processuais.

Artigo 9.º

Diferendos entre uma Parte Contratante e um investidor da outra Parte Contratante

1 -Os diferendos emergentes entre um investidor de uma das Partes Contratantes e a outra Parte Contratante relacionados com um investimento do primeiro no território da segunda serão resolvidos de forma amigável através de negociações entre as partes em diferendo.
2 -Se os diferendos não puderem ser resolvidos de acordo com o disposto no disposto no parágrafo 1 deste artigo no prazo de seis meses contados da data em que uma das partes litigantes o tiver suscitado, qualquer das partes poderá submeter o diferendo:
1. a)Ao tribunal competente da Parte Contratante no território da qual se situa o investimento; ou
2. b)Ao Centro Internacional para a Resolução de Diferendos relativos a Investimentos para a conciliação ou arbitragem nos termos da Convenção para a Resolução de Diferendos entre Estados e Nacionais de outros Estados celebrada em Washington D. C. em 18 de Março de 1965; ou
3. c)A um tribunal internacional arbitral ad hoc, estabelecido de acordo com as regras de arbitragem da Comissão das Nações Unidas para o Direito Internacional (UNCITRAL).
3 -Nenhuma das Partes Contratantes poderá recorrer às vias diplomáticas para resolver qualquer questão relacionada com a arbitragem, salvo se o processo já estiver concluído e a Parte Contratante não tiver acatado nem cumprido a decisão do Centro Internacional para a Resolução de Diferendos.
4 -A sentença arbitral será definitiva e obrigatória para ambas as partes. As Partes Contratantes executarão a sentença nos termos da respectiva legislação interna e de acordo com a Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Reconhecimento e Execução de Sentenças Arbitrais Estrangeiras (Convenção de Nova Iorque), de 1958.

Artigo 10.º

Aplicação de outras regras

Se para além do presente Acordo as disposições da lei interna de uma das Partes Contratantes ou as obrigações emergentes do direito internacional em vigor ou que venha a vigorar entre as duas Partes Contratantes estabelecerem um regime, geral ou especial, que confira aos investimentos efectuados por investidores da outra Parte Contratante um tratamento mais favorável do que o previsto no presente Acordo prevalecerá sobre este o regime mais favorável.

Artigo 11.º

Aplicação do Acordo

O presente Acordo aplicar-se-á a todos os investimentos realizados por investidores de uma das Partes Contratantes no território da outra Parte Contratante, antes e após a sua entrada em vigor, em conformidade com as respectivas disposições legais, com excepção dos diferendos relativos a investimentos, emergentes antes da respectiva entrada em vigor.

Artigo 12.º

Consultas

Os representantes das Partes Contratantes deverão, sempre que necessário, realizar consultas sobre qualquer matéria relacionada com a aplicação deste Acordo. Estas consultas serão realizadas sob proposta de qualquer das Partes Contratantes, em lugar e data a acordar por via diplomática.

Artigo 13.º

Entrada em vigor e duração

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor 30 dias após a data em que ambas as Partes Contratantes tiverem notificado uma à outra, por escrito, do cumprimento dos respectivos procedimentos legais internos, requeridos para o efeito.
2 -Este Acordo permanecerá em vigor por um período de 10 anos. O presente Acordo será tacitamente prorrogado por períodos de 10 anos, excepto se uma das Partes Contratantes notificar a outra da sua intenção de denunciar o Acordo, com a antecedência mínima de 12 meses antes da data de término do período de validade em curso. As Partes Contratantes reservam-se o direito de denunciar o Acordo mediante notificação apresentada com a antecedência mínima de 12 meses antes da data de término do período de validade em curso.
3 -Ocorrendo o término do presente Acordo nos termos do número precedente, e relativamente aos investimentos já realizados, as disposições dos artigos 1.º a 12.º continuarão em vigor por mais um período de 10 anos a partir da data de denúncia do presente Acordo.
Feito em duplicado, em Lisboa, no dia 27 do mês de Maio do ano de 1998, em língua portuguesa, lituana e inglesa, ambos os textos fazendo igualmente fé. Em caso de divergência de interpretação, prevalecerá a versão inglesa.
Pela República Portuguesa:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
Pela República da Lituânia:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
PROTOCOLO AO ACORDO ENTRE A REPÚBLICA PORTUGUESA E A REPÚBLICA DA LITUÂNIA SOBRE PROMOÇÃO E PROTECÇÃO RECÍPROCA DE INVESTIMENTOS.
(relativo à interpretação de algumas disposições do Acordo, que constitui parte integrante de referido Acordo)
1 -Com referência ao artigo 2.º do presente Acordo:
Aplicar-se-á o disposto no artigo 2.º do presente Acordo quanto aos investidores de qualquer das Partes Contratantes que já estejam estabelecidos no território da outra Parte Contratante e pretendam ampliar as suas actividades ou estabelecer-se noutros sectores;
Tais investimentos deverão ser considerados como novos investimentos e, para esse efeito, realizados de acordo com as regras que regulam a admissão dos investimentos nos termos do artigo 2.º do presente Acordo.
2 -Com referência ao artigo 3.º do presente Acordo:
As Partes Contratantes consideram que as disposições do artigo 3.º do presente Acordo não prejudicam o direito de qualquer das Partes Contratantes aplicar as disposições pertinentes do seu direito fiscal que estabeleçam, nos termos da respectiva legislação, uma distinção entre contribuintes que não se encontrem em idêntica situação no que se refere ao seu lugar de residência ou ao lugar em que o investimento for realizado.
Feito em duplicado, em Lisboa, no dia 27 do mês de Maio do ano de 1998, em língua portuguesa, lituana e inglesa, ambos os textos fazendo igualmente fé. Em caso de divergência de interpretação, prevalecerá a versão inglesa.
Pela República Portuguesa:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
Pela República da Lituânia:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
(ver texto em língua lituana no documento original)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA ON THE MUTAL PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS.
The Portuguese Republic and the Republic of Lithuania, hereinafter referred to as the Conctracting Parties:
Desiring to intensify the economic co-operation between the two States;
Intending to encourage and create favourable conditions for investments made by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;
Recognising that mutual promotion and protection of investments on the basis of this Agreement will stimulate business initiative;
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
For the purpose of this Agreement:
1 -The term «investments» shall mean every kind of assets invested by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party in accordance with the laws and regulations of the latter including, in particular, though not exclusively:
1. a)Movable and immovable property as well as any other rights in rem, such as mortgages, liens, pledges and similar rights;
2. b)Shares, stocks, debentures, or other forms of interest in the equity of companies;
3. c)Claims to money or to any performance under having an economic value;
4. d)Intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, industrial designs and models, trade marks, trade names, trade and business secretes, technical processes, know-how and good will;
5. e)Concessions conferred by law under a contract or an administrative act of a competent state authority, including concessions for prospecting, research and exploitation of natural resources.
  Any alteration of the form which assets are invested shall not affect their character as investments, provided that such a change does not contradict the laws and regulations of the relevant Contracting Party.
2 -The term «returns» shall mean the amount yielded by investments, in particular, though not exclusively, shall include profits, dividends, interests, royalties or other forms of income related to the investments including technical assistance fees.
Returns from investments and from re-investment shall enjoy the same protection as investment.
3 -The term «investors» means:
1. a)A natural person having the nationality of either Contracting Party, in accordance with its laws; and
2. b)A legal person, including corporations, commercial companies or other companies or associations, wich have a main office with substancial business activities in the territory of either Contracting Party and are incorporated or constituted in accordance with the law of that Contracting Party.
4 -The term «territory» means the territory of either of the Contracting Parties, including the territorial sea and maritime or submarine area within which the Contracting Parties may exercise, in accordance with internacional law, rights for the purpose of exploration, exploitation and preservation of the sea-bed, sub-soil and natural resouces.
Article 2
Promotion and protection of investments
1 -Each Contracting Party shall promote and encourage, as far as possible, within its territory investments made by investors of the other Contracting Party and shall admit such investments into its territory in accordance with its laws and regulations. It shall in any case accord such investments fair and equitable treatment.
2 -Investments made by investors of either Contracting Party shall enjoy full protection and security in the territory of the other Contracting Party.
Neither Contracting Party shall in any way impair by unreasonable, arbitrary or discriminatory measures the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal of investments in its territory of investors of the other Contracting Party.
Article 3
National and most favoured nation treatment
1 -Investments made by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party shall be accorded treatment which is fair and equitable and not less favourable than latter Contracting Party accords to the investments of its own investors or to the investments of investors of any third State.
2 -Investors of one Contracting Party shall be accorded by the other Contracting Party, as regards the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal or their investments, treatment which is fair and equitable and not less favourable that the latter Contracting Party accords to the investments of its own investors or to investments of investors of any third State.
3 -The provisions of this article shall not be construed so as to oblige one Contracting Party to the extend to the investors of the other Contracting Party the benefit of any treatment, preference or privilege which may be extended by the former Contracting Party by virtue of:
1. a)Any existing or future free trade area, customs union, common market or other similar international including other forms of regional economic co-operations to which either of the Contracting Parties is or may become a Party; and
2. b)Any international agreement relating wholly or mainly to taxation.
  Article 4
  Expropriation
1 -Neither Contracting Party shall expropriate, nationalise or take similar measures (hereinafter referred to as expropriation) against investments of investors of the other Contracting Party in its territory, unless:
1. a)Such expropriation is in the public interest and under due process of law;
2. b)Such expropriation is carried out on a non-discriminatory basis;
3. c)Prompt, adequate and effective compensation is given.
2 -Such compensation shall amount to the market value of the expropriated investments immediately before the expropriation ocurred or the impending expropriation becomes the public knowlege, whichever is the earlier. The compensation shall be paid without undue delay, shall include interest calculated on the LIBOR basis form the date of expropriation until the date of payment. The compensation shall be effectively realisable and freely tranferable.
3 -The investor whose investments are expropriated, shall have the right under the law of expropriating Contracting Party to the prompt review by a judicial or other competent authority of that Contracting Party of his case and of valuation of his or its investments in accordance with the principles set out in this article.
Article 5
Compensation for losses
Investors of either Contracting Party whose investments suffer losses in the territory owing to war, a state of national emergency, insurrection, riot, armed conflict, revolution or other similar events, shall be accorded treatment no less favourable by the latter Contracting Party than that Contracting Party accords to its own investors or to investors of any third State, whichever is more favourable, as regards restitution, indemnification, compensation or other valuable consideration. Any payment made under this article shall be, without undue delay, freely transferable in convertible currency.
Article 6
Transfers
1 -Pursuant to its own legislation, each Contracting Party shall guarantee investors of the other Contracting Party the free transfer of sums related to their investments, in particular, though not exclusively:
1. a)Capital and additional amounts necessary to maintain or increase the investments;
2. b)The returns defined in paragraph 2, article 1 of this Agreement;
3. c)Funds in repayment of loans regularly contracted and documented and directly related to the investment;
4. d)The proceeds obtained from the sale or from the total or partial liquidation of the investment;
5. e)Any compensation or other payment referred to in articles 4 and 5 of this Agreement;
6. f)Any preliminary payments that may be made in the name of the investor in accordance with article 7 of this Agreement; or
7. g)The earnings of nationals of one Contracting Party who are allowed to work in connection with an investment in the territory of the other Contracting Party.
2 -The transfers referred to in this article shall be made without undue delay at the exchange rate applicable on the date of the transfer in convertible currency.
Article 7
Subrogation
If either Contracting Party or its designated agency any payment to one of its investors as a result of a guarantee in respect of an investment made in the territory of the other Contracting Party, the former Contracting Party shall be surrogated to the rights and claims of this investor and may exercise them according to the same terms and conditions as the original holder.
Article 8
Disputes between the Contracting Parties
1 -Disputes between the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation and application of this Agreement should, as far as possible, be settled by negotiations through diplomatic channels.
2 -If the Contracting Parties fail to reach such settlement within six months after the beginning fo negotiations, the dispute shall, upon the request of either Contracting Party, be submitted to an arbitral tribunal, in accordance with the provisions of this article.
3 -The Arbitral Tribunal shall be constituted ad hoc, as follows: each of the Contracting Parties shall appoint one member and these two members shall propose a national of a third State as chairman to be appointed by the two Contracting Parties. The members shall be appointed within two months and the chairman shall be appointed within three months from the date on which either Contracting Party notifies the other that it wishes to submit the dispute to an arbitral tribunal.
4 -If the deadlines specified in paragraph 3 of this article are not complied with, either Contracting Party may, in the absence of any other agreement, invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointments. If the President is prevented from doing so, or is a national of either Contracting Party, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the necessary appointments.
If the Vice-President is also a national of either Contracting Party or if he is prevented from making the appointments for any other reason, the appointments shall be made by the member of the Court who is next in seniority and who is not a national of either Contracting Party.
5 -The chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal shall be a national of a third State with which both Contracting Parties maintain diplomatic relations.
6 -The Arbitral Tribunal shall rule according to majority vote. The decisions of the tribunal shall be final and binding on both Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall be responsible for the costs of its own member and of its representatives at the arbitral proceedings. Both Contracting Parties shall assume an equal share of the expenses incurred by the chairman, as well as any other expenses. The tribunal may make a different decision regarding division of costs. In all other respects, the tribunal court shall define its own rules of procedure.
Article 9
Disputes between a Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party
1 -Any dispute which may arise between one Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party concerning an investment of that investor in the territory of the former Contracting Party shall be settled amicably through negotiations.
2 -If such dispute cannot be settled within a period of six months from the date of request for settlement, the investor concerned may submit the dispute to:
1. a)The competent court of the Contracting Party for decision; or
2. b)The International Centre for the Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID) through conciliation or arbitration, established under the Convention on the Settlement of Investments Disputes between States and Nationals of other States, opened for signature in Washington D. C., on March 18, 1965; or
3. c)An ad hoc court of arbitration, in accordance with the Arbitration Rules issued in 1976 by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNICTRAL).
3 -Neither Contracting Party shall pursue through diplomatic channels any matter referred to arbitration until the proceedings have terminated and a Contracting Party has failed to abide by or to comply with the award rendered by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investments Disputes.
4 -The arbitral decision shall be final and biding on both parties to the dispute. Each Contracting Party shall execute it in accordance with its laws and in accordance with the 1958 United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention).
Article 10
Application of other rules
If the provisions of law of either Contracting Party or obligations under international law existing at present or established hereafter between the Contracting Parties in addition to this Agreement contain a regulation, whether general or specific, entitling investments made by investors of the other Contracting Party to a treatment more favourable than is provied for by this Agreement, such provisions shall, to the extent that they are more favourable, prevail over this Agreement.
Article 11
Application of the Agreement
This Agreement shall apply to all investments, made by investors from one of the Contracting Parties in the territory of the Contracting Party in accordance with the respective legal provisions, prior to as well as after its entry into force, but shall not apply to any dispute concerning investments which have arisen before its entry into force.
Article 12
Consultations
Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall, whenever necessary, hold consultations on any matter affecting the implementation of this Agreement. These consultations shall be held on the proposal of one of the Contracting Parties at a place and a time to be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Article 13
Entry into force and duration
1 -This Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the Contracting Parties notify each other in writing that their respective internal legal procedures have been fulfilled.
2 -This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless notice of termination has been given by either Contracting Party at least twelve months before the date of expiry of its validity, the present Agreement shall be extended tacitly for periods of ten years, each Contracting Party reserving the right to terminate the Agreement upon notice of at least twelve months before the date of expiry of the current period of validity.
3 -In respect of investment made prior to the date of termination of this Agreement the provisions of articles 1 to 12 shall remain in force a further period of ten years from the date of termination of this Agreement.
Done in duplicate in Lisbon at this 27 day of May 1998 in the Portuguese, Lithuanian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
For the Republic of Lithuania:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
PROTOCOL TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA ON THE MUTUAL PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS.
(concerning the interpretation of certain provisions of the Agreement, which constitue an integral part of the said Agreement)
1 -With reference to article 2 of this Agreement:
The provisions of article 2 of this Agreement should be also applicable when investors of one of the Contracting Parties are already established in the territory of the other Contracting Party and wish to extend their activities or to carry out activities in other sectors;
Such investments shall be considered as new ones and, to that extent, shall be made in accordance with the rules on the admission of investments, according to article 2 of this Agrrement.
2 -With reference to article 3 of this Agreement:
The Contracting Parties shall not consider that the provisions of article 3 of this Agreement are in prejudice of the right of either Contracting Party to apply the provisions of their legislation on taxes which makes the distinction between taxpayers with regard to their place of residence or with regard to the place where the investment was made.
Done in duplicate in Lisbon at this 27 day of May 1998 in the Portuguese, Lithuanian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
For the Republic of Lithuania:
(ver assinatura no documento original)

Artigo 13.º

Entrada em vigor e duração

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor 30 dias após a data em que ambas as Partes Contratantes tiverem notificado uma à outra, por escrito, do cumprimento dos respectivos procedimentos legais internos, requeridos para o efeito.
2 -Este Acordo permanecerá em vigor por um período de 10 anos. O presente Acordo será tacitamente prorrogado por períodos de 10 anos, excepto se uma das Partes Contratantes notificar a outra da sua intenção de denunciar o Acordo, com a antecedência mínima de 12 meses antes da data de término do período de validade em curso. As Partes Contratantes reservam-se o direito de denunciar o Acordo mediante notificação apresentada com a antecedência mínima de 12 meses antes da data de término do período de validade em curso.
3 -Ocorrendo o término do presente Acordo nos termos do número precedente, e relativamente aos investimentos já realizados, as disposições dos artigos 1.º a 12.º continuarão em vigor por mais um período de 10 anos a partir da data de denúncia do presente Acordo.
Feito em duplicado, em Lisboa, no dia 27 do mês de Maio do ano de 1998, em língua portuguesa, lituana e inglesa, ambos os textos fazendo igualmente fé. Em caso de divergência de interpretação, prevalecerá a versão inglesa.
Pela República Portuguesa:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
Pela República da Lituânia:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
PROTOCOLO AO ACORDO ENTRE A REPÚBLICA PORTUGUESA E A REPÚBLICA DA LITUÂNIA SOBRE PROMOÇÃO E PROTECÇÃO RECÍPROCA DE INVESTIMENTOS.
(relativo à interpretação de algumas disposições do Acordo, que constitui parte integrante de referido Acordo)
1 -Com referência ao artigo 2.º do presente Acordo:
Aplicar-se-á o disposto no artigo 2.º do presente Acordo quanto aos investidores de qualquer das Partes Contratantes que já estejam estabelecidos no território da outra Parte Contratante e pretendam ampliar as suas actividades ou estabelecer-se noutros sectores;
Tais investimentos deverão ser considerados como novos investimentos e, para esse efeito, realizados de acordo com as regras que regulam a admissão dos investimentos nos termos do artigo 2.º do presente Acordo.
2 -Com referência ao artigo 3.º do presente Acordo:
As Partes Contratantes consideram que as disposições do artigo 3.º do presente Acordo não prejudicam o direito de qualquer das Partes Contratantes aplicar as disposições pertinentes do seu direito fiscal que estabeleçam, nos termos da respectiva legislação, uma distinção entre contribuintes que não se encontrem em idêntica situação no que se refere ao seu lugar de residência ou ao lugar em que o investimento for realizado.
Feito em duplicado, em Lisboa, no dia 27 do mês de Maio do ano de 1998, em língua portuguesa, lituana e inglesa, ambos os textos fazendo igualmente fé. Em caso de divergência de interpretação, prevalecerá a versão inglesa.
Pela República Portuguesa:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
Pela República da Lituânia:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
(ver texto em língua lituana no documento original)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA ON THE MUTAL PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS.
The Portuguese Republic and the Republic of Lithuania, hereinafter referred to as the Conctracting Parties:
Desiring to intensify the economic co-operation between the two States;
Intending to encourage and create favourable conditions for investments made by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;
Recognising that mutual promotion and protection of investments on the basis of this Agreement will stimulate business initiative;
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
For the purpose of this Agreement:
1 -The term «investments» shall mean every kind of assets invested by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party in accordance with the laws and regulations of the latter including, in particular, though not exclusively:
1. a)Movable and immovable property as well as any other rights in rem, such as mortgages, liens, pledges and similar rights;
2. b)Shares, stocks, debentures, or other forms of interest in the equity of companies;
3. c)Claims to money or to any performance under having an economic value;
4. d)Intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, industrial designs and models, trade marks, trade names, trade and business secretes, technical processes, know-how and good will;
5. e)Concessions conferred by law under a contract or an administrative act of a competent state authority, including concessions for prospecting, research and exploitation of natural resources.
  Any alteration of the form which assets are invested shall not affect their character as investments, provided that such a change does not contradict the laws and regulations of the relevant Contracting Party.
2 -The term «returns» shall mean the amount yielded by investments, in particular, though not exclusively, shall include profits, dividends, interests, royalties or other forms of income related to the investments including technical assistance fees.
Returns from investments and from re-investment shall enjoy the same protection as investment.
3 -The term «investors» means:
1. a)A natural person having the nationality of either Contracting Party, in accordance with its laws; and
2. b)A legal person, including corporations, commercial companies or other companies or associations, wich have a main office with substancial business activities in the territory of either Contracting Party and are incorporated or constituted in accordance with the law of that Contracting Party.
4 -The term «territory» means the territory of either of the Contracting Parties, including the territorial sea and maritime or submarine area within which the Contracting Parties may exercise, in accordance with internacional law, rights for the purpose of exploration, exploitation and preservation of the sea-bed, sub-soil and natural resouces.
Article 2
Promotion and protection of investments
1 -Each Contracting Party shall promote and encourage, as far as possible, within its territory investments made by investors of the other Contracting Party and shall admit such investments into its territory in accordance with its laws and regulations. It shall in any case accord such investments fair and equitable treatment.
2 -Investments made by investors of either Contracting Party shall enjoy full protection and security in the territory of the other Contracting Party.
Neither Contracting Party shall in any way impair by unreasonable, arbitrary or discriminatory measures the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal of investments in its territory of investors of the other Contracting Party.
Article 3
National and most favoured nation treatment
1 -Investments made by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party shall be accorded treatment which is fair and equitable and not less favourable than latter Contracting Party accords to the investments of its own investors or to the investments of investors of any third State.
2 -Investors of one Contracting Party shall be accorded by the other Contracting Party, as regards the management, maintenance, use, enjoyment or disposal or their investments, treatment which is fair and equitable and not less favourable that the latter Contracting Party accords to the investments of its own investors or to investments of investors of any third State.
3 -The provisions of this article shall not be construed so as to oblige one Contracting Party to the extend to the investors of the other Contracting Party the benefit of any treatment, preference or privilege which may be extended by the former Contracting Party by virtue of:
1. a)Any existing or future free trade area, customs union, common market or other similar international including other forms of regional economic co-operations to which either of the Contracting Parties is or may become a Party; and
2. b)Any international agreement relating wholly or mainly to taxation.
  Article 4
  Expropriation
1 -Neither Contracting Party shall expropriate, nationalise or take similar measures (hereinafter referred to as expropriation) against investments of investors of the other Contracting Party in its territory, unless:
1. a)Such expropriation is in the public interest and under due process of law;
2. b)Such expropriation is carried out on a non-discriminatory basis;
3. c)Prompt, adequate and effective compensation is given.
2 -Such compensation shall amount to the market value of the expropriated investments immediately before the expropriation ocurred or the impending expropriation becomes the public knowlege, whichever is the earlier. The compensation shall be paid without undue delay, shall include interest calculated on the LIBOR basis form the date of expropriation until the date of payment. The compensation shall be effectively realisable and freely tranferable.
3 -The investor whose investments are expropriated, shall have the right under the law of expropriating Contracting Party to the prompt review by a judicial or other competent authority of that Contracting Party of his case and of valuation of his or its investments in accordance with the principles set out in this article.
Article 5
Compensation for losses
Investors of either Contracting Party whose investments suffer losses in the territory owing to war, a state of national emergency, insurrection, riot, armed conflict, revolution or other similar events, shall be accorded treatment no less favourable by the latter Contracting Party than that Contracting Party accords to its own investors or to investors of any third State, whichever is more favourable, as regards restitution, indemnification, compensation or other valuable consideration. Any payment made under this article shall be, without undue delay, freely transferable in convertible currency.
Article 6
Transfers
1 -Pursuant to its own legislation, each Contracting Party shall guarantee investors of the other Contracting Party the free transfer of sums related to their investments, in particular, though not exclusively:
1. a)Capital and additional amounts necessary to maintain or increase the investments;
2. b)The returns defined in paragraph 2, article 1 of this Agreement;
3. c)Funds in repayment of loans regularly contracted and documented and directly related to the investment;
4. d)The proceeds obtained from the sale or from the total or partial liquidation of the investment;
5. e)Any compensation or other payment referred to in articles 4 and 5 of this Agreement;
6. f)Any preliminary payments that may be made in the name of the investor in accordance with article 7 of this Agreement; or
7. g)The earnings of nationals of one Contracting Party who are allowed to work in connection with an investment in the territory of the other Contracting Party.
2 -The transfers referred to in this article shall be made without undue delay at the exchange rate applicable on the date of the transfer in convertible currency.
Article 7
Subrogation
If either Contracting Party or its designated agency any payment to one of its investors as a result of a guarantee in respect of an investment made in the territory of the other Contracting Party, the former Contracting Party shall be surrogated to the rights and claims of this investor and may exercise them according to the same terms and conditions as the original holder.
Article 8
Disputes between the Contracting Parties
1 -Disputes between the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation and application of this Agreement should, as far as possible, be settled by negotiations through diplomatic channels.
2 -If the Contracting Parties fail to reach such settlement within six months after the beginning fo negotiations, the dispute shall, upon the request of either Contracting Party, be submitted to an arbitral tribunal, in accordance with the provisions of this article.
3 -The Arbitral Tribunal shall be constituted ad hoc, as follows: each of the Contracting Parties shall appoint one member and these two members shall propose a national of a third State as chairman to be appointed by the two Contracting Parties. The members shall be appointed within two months and the chairman shall be appointed within three months from the date on which either Contracting Party notifies the other that it wishes to submit the dispute to an arbitral tribunal.
4 -If the deadlines specified in paragraph 3 of this article are not complied with, either Contracting Party may, in the absence of any other agreement, invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointments. If the President is prevented from doing so, or is a national of either Contracting Party, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the necessary appointments.
If the Vice-President is also a national of either Contracting Party or if he is prevented from making the appointments for any other reason, the appointments shall be made by the member of the Court who is next in seniority and who is not a national of either Contracting Party.
5 -The chairman of the Arbitral Tribunal shall be a national of a third State with which both Contracting Parties maintain diplomatic relations.
6 -The Arbitral Tribunal shall rule according to majority vote. The decisions of the tribunal shall be final and binding on both Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall be responsible for the costs of its own member and of its representatives at the arbitral proceedings. Both Contracting Parties shall assume an equal share of the expenses incurred by the chairman, as well as any other expenses. The tribunal may make a different decision regarding division of costs. In all other respects, the tribunal court shall define its own rules of procedure.
Article 9
Disputes between a Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party
1 -Any dispute which may arise between one Contracting Party and an investor of the other Contracting Party concerning an investment of that investor in the territory of the former Contracting Party shall be settled amicably through negotiations.
2 -If such dispute cannot be settled within a period of six months from the date of request for settlement, the investor concerned may submit the dispute to:
1. a)The competent court of the Contracting Party for decision; or
2. b)The International Centre for the Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID) through conciliation or arbitration, established under the Convention on the Settlement of Investments Disputes between States and Nationals of other States, opened for signature in Washington D. C., on March 18, 1965; or
3. c)An ad hoc court of arbitration, in accordance with the Arbitration Rules issued in 1976 by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNICTRAL).
3 -Neither Contracting Party shall pursue through diplomatic channels any matter referred to arbitration until the proceedings have terminated and a Contracting Party has failed to abide by or to comply with the award rendered by the International Centre for the Settlement of Investments Disputes.
4 -The arbitral decision shall be final and biding on both parties to the dispute. Each Contracting Party shall execute it in accordance with its laws and in accordance with the 1958 United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention).
Article 10
Application of other rules
If the provisions of law of either Contracting Party or obligations under international law existing at present or established hereafter between the Contracting Parties in addition to this Agreement contain a regulation, whether general or specific, entitling investments made by investors of the other Contracting Party to a treatment more favourable than is provied for by this Agreement, such provisions shall, to the extent that they are more favourable, prevail over this Agreement.
Article 11
Application of the Agreement
This Agreement shall apply to all investments, made by investors from one of the Contracting Parties in the territory of the Contracting Party in accordance with the respective legal provisions, prior to as well as after its entry into force, but shall not apply to any dispute concerning investments which have arisen before its entry into force.
Article 12
Consultations
Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall, whenever necessary, hold consultations on any matter affecting the implementation of this Agreement. These consultations shall be held on the proposal of one of the Contracting Parties at a place and a time to be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Article 13
Entry into force and duration
1 -This Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the Contracting Parties notify each other in writing that their respective internal legal procedures have been fulfilled.
2 -This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless notice of termination has been given by either Contracting Party at least twelve months before the date of expiry of its validity, the present Agreement shall be extended tacitly for periods of ten years, each Contracting Party reserving the right to terminate the Agreement upon notice of at least twelve months before the date of expiry of the current period of validity.
3 -In respect of investment made prior to the date of termination of this Agreement the provisions of articles 1 to 12 shall remain in force a further period of ten years from the date of termination of this Agreement.
Done in duplicate in Lisbon at this 27 day of May 1998 in the Portuguese, Lithuanian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
For the Republic of Lithuania:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
PROTOCOL TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA ON THE MUTUAL PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS.
(concerning the interpretation of certain provisions of the Agreement, which constitue an integral part of the said Agreement)
1 -With reference to article 2 of this Agreement:
The provisions of article 2 of this Agreement should be also applicable when investors of one of the Contracting Parties are already established in the territory of the other Contracting Party and wish to extend their activities or to carry out activities in other sectors;
Such investments shall be considered as new ones and, to that extent, shall be made in accordance with the rules on the admission of investments, according to article 2 of this Agrrement.
2 -With reference to article 3 of this Agreement:
The Contracting Parties shall not consider that the provisions of article 3 of this Agreement are in prejudice of the right of either Contracting Party to apply the provisions of their legislation on taxes which makes the distinction between taxpayers with regard to their place of residence or with regard to the place where the investment was made.
Done in duplicate in Lisbon at this 27 day of May 1998 in the Portuguese, Lithuanian and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver assinatura no documento original)
For the Republic of Lithuania:
(ver assinatura no documento original)