Resolução

Resolução da Assembleia da República n.º 63/2006

Aprova o Acordo de Sede entre a República Portuguesa e o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco e o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel, assinado em Lisboa em 17 de Novembro de 2005

Parte I - Disposições gerais

Artigo 1.º

Definições

Para os fins do presente Acordo entende-se que:

a)«Grupo» designa o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco ou o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel;
b)«Governo» designa o Governo da República Portuguesa;
c)«Representantes» designa os representantes dos membros de cada Grupo, chefes de delegação ou os seus substitutos;
d)«Instalações de cada Grupo» designa todos os prédios urbanos ou fracções dos mesmos e seus logradouros utilizados para as actividades oficiais e arquivos da cada Grupo;
e)«Arquivos de cada Grupo» inclui todos os registos, correspondência, documentos, manuscritos, fotografias, películas e gravações, que pertençam ou estejam na posse de cada Grupo, bem como toda a informação neles contida, independentemente da sua localização;
f)«Actividades oficiais de cada Grupo» inclui as actividades administrativas e quaisquer outras levadas a cabo ao abrigo dos termos de referência de cada Grupo;
g)«Secretariado» designa o Secretário-Geral e todas as pessoas nomeadas ou contratadas a tempo integral ou parcial por um dos Grupos e que ficam sujeitas aos regulamentos de pessoal e às regras de pessoal de um Grupo, com excepção dos peritos, do pessoal auxiliar de apoio aos Grupos e do pessoal recrutado localmente em regime de prestação de serviços;
h)«Secretário-Geral» designa o Secretário-Geral nomeado pelo Grupo Internacional do Estudos do Cobre, pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco e pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel, que poderá agir, separada ou conjuntamente, em representação de cada Grupo.

Artigo 2.º

Objecto

O presente Acordo tem por finalidade proporcionar a cada um dos Grupos todas as condições necessárias ao cumprimento integral e eficiente dos seus objectivos, funções e obrigações na sua sede em Portugal, devendo ser interpretado em conformidade.

Artigo 3.º

Personalidade jurídica de cada Grupo

Cada Grupo possui personalidade jurídica individual e separada e tem capacidade jurídica individual e separada, em especial, para contratar, adquirir e dispor de bens imóveis e móveis, bem como para instaurar processos legais.

Parte II - Sede

Artigo 4.º

Inviolabilidade das instalações e arquivos dos Grupos

1 -As instalações e os arquivos de cada Grupo são invioláveis.
2 -A propriedade e os bens para uso oficial de cada Grupo, incluindo os seus arquivos, onde quer que estejam situados e independentemente do seu detentor, não podem ser objecto de busca, arresto, requisição, confisco, expropriação ou qualquer outra forma de restrição executiva, administrativa, judicial ou legislativa.
3 -As autoridades portuguesas exercerão as diligências necessárias e tomarão as medidas necessárias para proteger as instalações de cada Grupo contra qualquer intrusão ou danos.
4 -O Secretário-Geral deverá informar o Governo acerca da localização das instalações e arquivos de cada Grupo e mantê-lo informado sobre quaisquer alterações, bem como sobre qualquer ocupação temporária das instalações.
5 -Sempre que quaisquer instalações sejam utilizadas ou ocupadas temporariamente por um Grupo para o prosseguimento das respectivas funções oficiais, a essas instalações será atribuído o estatuto de instalações do Grupo.
6 -Nenhum representante do Governo ou das autoridades públicas poderá entrar nas instalações de qualquer dos Grupos sem autorização prévia do Secretário-Geral e em conformidade com as condições por ele estabelecidas, excepto em caso de incêndio ou outro acidente que coloque em grave perigo a segurança pública e requeiram uma intervenção imediata.
7 -A execução de uma decisão judicial ou acção semelhante, tal como o arresto de bens privados nas instalações de qualquer Grupo, não será permitida, excepto quando autorizada pelo Secretário-Geral e em conformidade com as condições por ele estabelecidas.
8 -Sem prejuízo do disposto no presente Acordo, nenhum dos Grupos permitirá que as suas instalações sejam utilizadas para refúgio de indivíduos procurados pela justiça ou contra os quais tenha sido emitida pelas autoridades competentes uma ordem de extradição ou expulsão.

Artigo 5.º

Sede

1 -O Governo disponibiliza, através de um contrato de arrendamento celebrado entre o proprietário do imóvel, o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco e o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel e a autoridade governamental portuguesa designada, os 5.º e 6.º pisos do prédio sito na Rua do Almirante Barroso, 38, em Lisboa, para a instalação da sede dos três Grupos, durante o período em que um qualquer dos Grupos mantenha a respectiva sede em Portugal.
2 -Para além da plena utilização dos citados dois pisos do imóvel, os três Grupos fruirão ainda:
1. a)De seis lugares de estacionamento;
2. b)Das salas de conferências localizadas no rés-do-chão do prédio, de acordo com as necessidades de reuniões dos Grupos, durante um período máximo de 30 dias úteis por ano, e, caso necessário, uma sala de conferências com capacidade para até 200 pessoas, localizada perto das instalações, poderá ser utilizada nas mesmas condições que a sala de conferências localizada no imóvel;
3. c)Da utilização de todos os serviços comuns do prédio, incluindo medidas contra invasão de propriedade e incêndios.
3 -A renda é de (euro) 90000 por ano, sendo (euro) 40000 por ano suportados conjuntamente pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco e pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel e os restantes (euro) 50000 por ano pagos pela autoridade governamental portuguesa designada, que será também responsável pelo pagamento do aumento anual de renda relativo aos arrendamentos comerciais.
4 -Se um dos Grupos decidir retirar a respectiva sede de Portugal, os outros dois Grupos têm direito a utilizar dois terços da área prevista no n.º 1, terão direito a quatro lugares de estacionamento e a utilizar as salas de conferência durante 20 dias úteis, pagando para o efeito dois terços de renda mencionada no número anterior.
5 -Se um dos Grupos decidir retirar a respectiva sede de Portugal, conforme referido no número anterior, os outros dois Grupos podem optar por manter a plena utilização das condições previstas nos n.os 1 e 2, sendo que, neste caso, a percentagem da renda paga pela autoridade governamental portuguesa designada, conforme referido no n.º 3, será reduzida em um terço do seu valor total anual.

Artigo 6.º

Bandeira e símbolo

Cada Grupo tem o direito de utilizar a sua bandeira e símbolo nas suas instalações e veículos e outros meios de transporte usados para fins oficiais.

Parte III - Imunidades e privilégios de cada Grupo

Artigo 7.º

Imunidade de jurisdição e de execução

1 -No âmbito das suas actividades oficiais, cada Grupo e a sua propriedade terão imunidade de jurisdição e execução, excepto:
1. a)Quando qualquer Grupo renuncie expressamente essas imunidades;
2. b)Quando terceiros instaurem um processo reivindicando uma indemnização pecuniária por morte ou por danos causados por acidente provocado por um veículo pertencente a qualquer dos Grupos, ou ao serviço de qualquer dos Grupos, ou no caso de uma infracção de trânsito que envolva um desses veículos;
3. c)No caso de execução de uma decisão arbitral proferida ao abrigo dos artigos 22.º ou 23.º do presente Acordo;
4. d)Numa acção judicial relacionada com um contrato de trabalho entre um ou mais Grupos e um indivíduo relativo a trabalho realizado ou a realizar, no todo ou em parte, no território da República Portuguesa, desde que tal indivíduo seja de nacionalidade portuguesa ou residente permanente naquele território.
2 -No caso de um pedido para renunciar à sua imunidade, na sequência de uma acção intentada por terceiros, cada Grupo requerido deverá fazer uma declaração a afirmar a sua imunidade no prazo de 15 dias após a recepção do pedido, sob pena de se considerar a sua imunidade como renunciada.
3 -A decisão de um Grupo de renunciar à sua imunidade não prejudicará as imunidade dos outros Grupos.
4 -Sem prejuízo do previsto no n.º 2 do artigo 4.º, os veículos pertencentes a qualquer dos Grupos podem ser temporariamente sujeitos a medidas judiciais ou administrativas de busca ou penhora, se necessárias para investigação dos acidentes referidos na alínea b) deste artigo.

Artigo 8.º

Facilidades relativas a comunicações

Cada Grupo beneficiará, em todo o território português, nas suas comunicações e correspondência oficiais de um tratamento não menos favorável do que o conferido pela República Portuguesa a qualquer missão diplomática no que respeita a prioridades, tarifas e taxas de correio aplicáveis a correio e a outras formas de comunicação e correspondência.

Artigo 9.º

Circulação de publicações

A circulação de publicações e de outros materiais de informação emitidos por qualquer Grupo ou enviados para qualquer Grupo, no âmbito das suas actividades oficiais, não sofrerá qualquer tipo de restrição.

Artigo 10.º

Isenção de impostos directos

Os bens e rendimentos provenientes das actividades oficiais de cada Grupo estão isentos de quaisquer impostos directos, incluindo o imposto sobre rendimentos das pessoas colectivas, imposto de capital, imposto sobre mais valias, imposto sobre transacções e imposto autárquico sobre imóveis.

Artigo 11.º

Isenção de impostos indirectos

1 -Os bens e serviços adquiridos por cada Grupo para o exercício de actividades oficiais estão isentos de todos os impostos indirectos, nomeadamente o imposto sobre o valor acrescentado (IVA), imposto automóvel e impostos sobre produtos petrolíferos e bebidas alcoólicas.
2 -Em relação ao IVA, na aquisição de automóveis novos e de bens e serviços no mercado nacional, para desempenho das respectivas actividades oficiais, cada Grupo será reembolsado caso o valor de cada aquisição exceda (euro) 270, imposto incluído.
3 -As aquisições de bens e serviços referidos no número anterior efectuadas noutros Estados membros da União Europeia não estão sujeitas ao pagamento de IVA em Portugal.
4 -Na aquisição no mercado nacional de veículos automóveis novos necessários para as actividades oficiais, cada Grupo está isento do pagamento do imposto automóvel.

Artigo 12.º

Isenções na importação e exportação

1 -Cada Grupo está isento do pagamento de direitos aduaneiros e de quaisquer outros impostos, proibições ou restrições sobre os bens de qualquer natureza por eles importados ou exportados no exercício das suas actividades oficiais.
2 -Os bens importados, exportados ou transferidos podem, caso sejam transportados sob a forma de bagagem, ser declarados à alfândega utilizando as etiquetas e formulários usuais para as malas diplomáticas.

Artigo 13.º

Alienação a terceiros

1 -Os bens adquiridos ao abrigo dos artigos 10.º e 11.º ou importados ao abrigo do artigo 12.º do presente Acordo não poderão ser doados, vendidos, alugados ou transaccionados de outra forma antes de decorridos cinco anos da sua aquisição.
2 -Se o prazo referido no n.º 1 não for respeitado, as autoridades competentes serão notificadas e pagos os respectivos impostos ou direitos de importação, conforme o caso.

Artigo 14.º

Fundos, divisas e títulos

1 -Sem estar limitado por qualquer tipo de controlo, regulamentação ou moratória:
1. a)Cada Grupo poderá deter fundos, divisas ou valores mobiliários de qualquer natureza e possuir contas em qualquer moeda;
2. b)Cada Grupo poderá transferir livremente os seus fundos, divisas ou valores mobiliários e converter em qualquer moeda as divisas que detenha, de um país para outro ou de um local para outro dentro de qualquer país.
2 -Cada Grupo beneficiará de isenção do imposto do selo sobre operações bancárias.

Parte IV - Imunidades e privilégios dos representantes, funcionários do Secretariado e peritos

Artigo 15.º

Representantes

1 -Os representantes que participem nas reuniões de qualquer Grupo gozam, durante o exercício das suas funções oficiais e no decurso das viagens com destino ao local da reunião ou no regresso dessa reunião, dos seguintes privilégios e imunidades:
1. a)Imunidade de qualquer acção judicial, civil ou criminal, mesmo após o termo da sua missão, relativamente a declarações orais ou escritas e a todos os actos praticados nas suas missões oficiais;
2. b)Inviolabilidade de todos os documentos destinados ao uso oficial;
3. c)Quando exigido pela legislação nacional ou comunitária, emissão gratuita de visto para o próprio e para o cônjuge ou para pessoa com quem viva em união de facto e respectivo processamento tão rápido quanto possível;
4. d)Os representantes de cada Grupo beneficiarão de igual tratamento ao que é dispensado aos agentes diplomáticos em iguais circunstâncias, incluindo no que diz respeito a facilidades alfandegárias, salvo se residirem em Portugal.
2 -O disposto no número anterior não prejudica qualquer imunidade especial a que tais representantes possam ter direito de acordo com o direito internacional.
3 -Os privilégios e imunidades previstos no n.º 1 não são aplicáveis a nenhum representante do Governo, nem a nenhum cidadão da República Portuguesa.
4 -Cada Grupo deverá comunicar ao Governo Português os nomes dos representantes dos membros antes da sua chegada a Portugal.

Artigo 16.º

Funcionários do Secretariado

1 -O Secretário-Geral do Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, do Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco e do Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel beneficiará dos mesmos privilégios e imunidades habitualmente concedidos aos chefes das missões diplomáticas e será incluído na lista diplomática organizada pelo Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros.
2 -Os funcionários do Secretariado gozam dos seguintes privilégios:
1. a)Imunidade de qualquer acção judicial no que diz respeito aos actos praticados no exercício das suas funções para cada Grupo, incluindo declarações orais e escritas;
2. b)Inviolabilidade dos documentos, qualquer que seja o seu conteúdo ou tipo de material, relacionados com as suas funções em cada Grupo;
3. c)Quando exigido pela legislação nacional ou comunitária, emissão gratuita de visto para o próprio, para o cônjuge ou para pessoa com quem viva em união de facto e ainda para os ascendentes ou descendentes na linha recta e em 1.º grau que estejam a seu cargo, bem como filhos adoptivos em igualdade de circunstâncias, e respectivo processamento tão rápido quanto possível;
4. d)Facilidades de câmbio idênticas às concedidas aos funcionários das representações diplomáticas de categoria idêntica, excepto se os funcionários do Secretariado tiverem a nacionalidade portuguesa ou forem residentes permanentes em Portugal;
5. e)Isenção de impostos sobre o rendimento e remuneração complementar a pagar por cada Grupo; todavia, o valor destas remunerações será tido em conta pelo Governo para cálculo da tributação a aplicar relativamente a rendimentos provenientes de outras fontes;
6. f)Isenção, no momento em que assumem funções em Portugal, de direitos de importação, IVA, impostos especiais sobre o consumo, excepto quanto aos encargos destinados ao pagamento de serviços, em relação à importação de mobiliário e outros bens pessoais de que sejam proprietários ou que venham a adquirir no prazo de seis meses após a transferência de residência para Portugal;
7. g)Os bens importados com isenção de direitos alfandegários de importação ao abrigo da alínea anterior não poderão ser vendidos nem alienados no prazo de um ano após a importação e ficam sujeitos à regulamentação da União Europeia na matéria;
8. h)Direito a importar temporariamente, pelo período que durar o exercício das suas funções em Portugal, um veículo automóvel destinado ao seu uso pessoal, isento de direitos de importação, IVA e imposto automóvel. O pedido de importação temporária deve ser apresentado às autoridades alfandegárias no prazo de seis meses a partir do início das funções;
9. i)O Secretário-Geral poderá importar, em idênticas condições, um segundo veículo para uso do seu agregado familiar;
10. j)A alienação de veículos automóveis importados ao abrigo das alíneas h) e i) supracitadas está sujeita, com as modificações necessárias, às regras e normas vigentes na legislação portuguesa aplicável aos veículos dos funcionários das missões diplomáticas e postos consulares;
11. k)Nem os Grupos, nem os funcionários do Secretariado, estão obrigados a contribuir para o sistema nacional de segurança social português, desde que tenham escolhido contribuir apenas para o esquema de fundos de pensão dos Grupos.
3 -A regularização do estatuto dos funcionários do Secretariado de cada Grupo como cidadãos estrangeiros, bem como do cônjuge ou pessoa com quem viva em união de facto e dos ascendentes ou descendentes na linha recta e em 1.º grau que estejam a seu cargo, bem como filhos adoptivos em igualdade de circunstâncias, está sujeita ao regime aplicável ao pessoal não diplomático das missões diplomáticas.
4 -As condições de trabalho dos funcionários do Secretariado serão reguladas pelas disposições dos regulamentos de pessoal e das regras de pessoal de cada Grupo. Nenhum funcionário do Secretariado poderá reclamar direitos adicionais para além dos definidos nas normas e regulamentos mencionados.

Artigo 17.º

Peritos

As alíneas a), b) e c) do n.º 1 do artigo 15.º aplicam-se aos peritos que não são funcionários do Secretariado de um Grupo e que se encontrem no exercício das respectivas funções durante uma missão para um Grupo.

Artigo 18.º

Notificação de nomeações e cartões de identidade

1 -Cada Grupo informará o Governo do início e termo de funções de qualquer funcionário do Secretariado ou perito, devendo enviar regularmente ao Governo uma lista de todos os funcionários do Secretariado e peritos em funções, especificando, nomeadamente, se se trata de cidadãos de nacionalidade portuguesa ou cidadãos estrangeiros com residência permanente em Portugal.
2 -O Governo emitirá cartões de identidade com fotografia para cada funcionário do Secretariado e perito. Tal documento será reconhecido por todas as autoridades oficiais.
3 -Cada Grupo devolverá os cartões de identidade dos funcionários do Secretariado e peritos que tenham cessado funções.

Artigo 19.º

Objectivo dos privilégios e imunidades

1 -Os privilégios e imunidades concedidos pelo presente Acordo aos representantes, funcionários do Secretariado e peritos não são concedidos para o benefício pessoal dos mesmos, mas visam assegurar o exercício independente das suas actividades relacionadas com o trabalho de cada Grupo.
2 -Qualquer Estado membro deverá considerar renunciar à imunidade dos seus representantes sempre que a mesma possa impedir o curso da justiça e desde que, segundo a opinião exclusiva do Estado membro, tal renúncia não prejudique os propósitos para os quais a imunidade foi concedida.
3 -O Secretário-Geral tem o direito e o dever de levantar os privilégios e as imunidades concedidas a qualquer funcionário do Secretariado ou perito (além dos seus próprios), quando tal imunidade impedir o curso da justiça e seja possível renunciar à mesma sem prejuízo do objectivo para o qual os privilégios e as imunidades foram concedidos.
4 -O Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e do Zinco e o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel podem renunciar às imunidades concedidas ao Secretário-Geral.

Artigo 20.º

Cooperação entre cada Grupo e o Governo

1 -Cada Grupo cooperará sempre com as autoridades competentes do Governo para facilitar o cumprimento da lei e dos regulamentos da República Portuguesa e de modo a evitar a ocorrência de qualquer abuso dos privilégios, imunidades e facilidades previstos no presente Acordo.
2 -Sem prejuízo dos seus privilégios e imunidades, é dever de todas as pessoas que gozam de privilégios e imunidades no âmbito do presente Acordo respeitar as leis e regulamentos da República Portuguesa. Devem também abster-se de interferir nos assuntos internos do Estado Português.
3 -O direito de o Governo tomar todas as medidas preventivas necessárias em conformidade com o direito internacional para garantir a segurança nacional não será prejudicado por qualquer disposição deste Acordo.

Parte V - Resolução de diferendos

Artigo 21.º

Resolução de diferendos com terceiros

Os diferendos em matéria de contratos ou outros diferendos de direito privado em que um qualquer dos Grupos e um cidadão ou entidade portuguesa sejam partes serão submetidos a arbitragem nos termos da lei portuguesa, excepto se o contrato ou a lei portuguesa estipularem a sua submissão a outra jurisdição, designadamente aos tribunais portugueses.

Artigo 22.º

Submissão a arbitragem internacional

A pedido do Governo, cada Grupo terá de submeter a um tribunal internacional de arbitragem qualquer disputa que:

a)Seja gerada por danos provocados por um Grupo;
b)Envolva qualquer outra questão de responsabilidade civil não contratual;
c)Envolva qualquer funcionário do Secretariado ou perito de qualquer Grupo, quando a pessoa em causa pode reclamar imunidade de jurisdição ao abrigo do presente Acordo, sempre que essa imunidade não tendo sido objecto de renúncia.

Artigo 23.º

Resolução de diferendos entre qualquer Grupo e o Governo

1 -Todos os diferendos que surjam entre qualquer Grupo e a República Portuguesa, em consequência da interpretação ou aplicação do presente Acordo ou relativamente a qualquer outra matéria que afecte as relações entre qualquer Grupo e a República Portuguesa, serão resolvidos através de consulta, negociação ou outra forma de resolução acordada.
2 -Se o diferendo não for resolvido de acordo com o disposto no n.º 1 deste artigo nos três meses seguintes ao pedido feito por escrito por uma das Partes no diferendo, será, a pedido de qualquer das Partes no diferendo, submetido a um tribunal arbitral internacional, de acordo com os procedimentos estabelecidos nos n.os 3 a 7 deste artigo.
3 -O tribunal arbitral será composto por três árbitros: um será escolhido pelo Governo, outro pelo Secretário-Geral após consulta prévia com o Grupo ou Grupos envolvidos no diferendo, e o terceiro, que será o presidente do tribunal, escolhido pelos outros dois árbitros.
4 -Se uma qualquer das Partes no diferendo não nomear o seu membro do tribunal no prazo de três meses após a nomeação do outro membro pela outra Parte, esta pode convidar o presidente do Tribunal Internacional de Justiça a fazer aquela nomeação.
5 -Caso os primeiros dois membros nomeados não chegarem a acordo na nomeação do presidente do Tribunal no prazo de dois meses após a sua nomeação, uma qualquer das Partes pode convidar o presidente do Tribunal Internacional de Justiça a escolher o presidente.
6 -A não ser que as Partes decidam de modo diferente, o tribunal arbitral estabelecerá as suas regras de procedimento e as despesas serão suportadas pelas Partes no diferendo por decisão do tribunal.
7 -O tribunal arbitral, que decidirá por maioria de votos, decidirá com base nas disposições do presente Acordo e das normas de direito internacional aplicáveis. A decisão do tribunal arbitral será final e vinculativa para as Partes.

Parte VI - Disposições finais

Artigo 24.º

Entrada em vigor

1 -O presente Acordo entrará em vigor na data da recepção da última notificação pelas partes a informar que foram cumpridas as formalidades requeridas pelos termos de referência de cada Grupo e os requisitos necessários para o efeito previstos no direito interno português e produzirá os seus efeitos a partir de 1 de Janeiro de 2006.
2 -Após a entrada em vigor do presente Acordo, o Acordo de Sede entre o Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre, assinado a 9 de Novembro de 1993, deixará de estar em vigor.

Artigo 25.º

Revisão

1 -O presente Acordo pode ser revisto por acordo entre as Partes.
2 -As emendas entrarão em vigor de acordo com o procedimento previsto no n.º 1 do artigo 24.º

Artigo 26.º

Cessação de vigência e denúncia

1 -O presente Acordo poderá cessar a sua vigência por acordo entre as Partes, devendo as mesmas acordar a data a partir da qual as disposições do Acordo deixarão de estar em vigor.
2 -O presente acordo poderá ser denunciado por uma qualquer das Partes, devendo a intenção de proceder à denúncia ser notificada por escrito às outras Partes com pelo menos 12 meses de antecedência.
Em fé do que, os abaixo assinados, estando devidamente autorizados, assinaram o presente Acordo.
Feito em Lisboa, aos 17 dias do mês de Novembro de 2005, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, fazendo ambos os textos igualmente fé.
Pela República Portuguesa:
(ver documento original)
Pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre:
(ver documento original)
Pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco:
(ver documento original)
Pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel:
(ver documento original)
HEADQUARTERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE INTERNATIONAL COPPER STUDY GROUP, THE INTERNATIONAL LEAD AND ZINC STUDY GROUP AND THE INTERNATIONAL NICKEL STUDY GROUP.
The Portuguese Republic, the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group, hereinafter called «the Parties», with the purpose of defining the status, privileges and immunities of each Group and persons connected with it, as defined herein, have come to the following Agreement:
PART I
Introduction
Article 1
Use of terms
For the purpose of the present Agreement:
1. a)«Group» means the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group or the International Nickel Study Group;
2. b)«Government» means the Government of the Portuguese Republic;
3. c)«Representatives» means the representatives of the members of each Group, heads of delegation and their alternates;
4. d)«Premises of each Group» means all buildings or portion thereof and the land ancillary thereto used for the official activities and archives of each Group;
5. e)«Archives of each Group» includes all records, correspondence, documents, manuscripts, photographs, films and recordings that belong to or are in the possession of each Group, as well as the information contained therein, wherever they are located;
6. f)«Official activities of each Group» includes its administrative activities as well as all other activities undertaken pursuant to the terms of reference of each Group;
7. g)«Staff members» means the Secretary-General and all persons appointed or recruited for full-time or part-time employment with a Group and subject to the staff regulations and staff rules of a Group, other than experts, assistant personnel to support each Group and persons recruited locally assigned to hourly rates of pay;
8. h)«Secretary-General» means the Secretary-General appointed by the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group, who may act separately or jointly on behalf of each Group.
  Article 2
  Object
  The purpose of the present Agreement is to provide each Group with all the necessary conditions for the full and efficient discharge of its objectives, functions and obligations at its headquarters in Portugal and shall be interpreted accordingly.
  Article 3
  Legal personality of each Group
  Each Group has a separate and individual legal personality and has separate and individual legal capacity, in particular, to contract, to acquire and to dispose of immovable and movable property and to institute legal proceedings.
  PART II
  Headquarters
  Article 4
  Inviolability of the premises and archives of the Groups
1 -The premises and archives of each Group shall be inviolable.
2 -The property and goods of official use of each Group, including archives, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be exempt from search, seizure, requisition, confiscation, expropriation and any other form of interference, whether by executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action.
3 -The Portuguese authorities shall exercise due diligence and take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of each Group against any intrusion or damage.
4 -The Secretary-General shall inform the Government of the location of the premises and archives of each Group and keep it informed on any changes as well as of any temporary occupation of the premises.
5 -Where premises are temporarily used or occupied by a Group for the fulfilment of its official functions these premises shall be accorded the status of premises of the Group.
6 -Officials of the Government or of public authorities are not allowed to enter the premises of any one of the Groups without prior authorisation from the Secretary-General and under the terms established by him, except in case of fire or other disaster that seriously endangers public safety and requires immediate intervention.
7 -Execution of a judicial decision or similar action, such as the seizure of private property in the premises of any Group, is not permitted except when authorised by the Secretary-General and under the terms established by him.
8 -Without prejudice to the present Agreement, no Group shall allow its premises to be used as a refuge for individuals fleeing justice or for whom an extradition or deportation order has been issued by the competent authorities.
Article 5
Headquarters
1 -The Government shall provide, through a lease contract signed by the real estate owner, the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group and the Portuguese designated government authority, the 5th and 6th floors of the building located at Rua do Almirante Barroso, 38, in Lisbon, for the headquarters of the three Groups, as long as any one of the Groups maintains its headquarters in Portugal.
2 -Besides the full use of the above-mentioned office space, the three Groups shall have full use of:
1. a)Six parking spaces;
2. b)The conference rooms located on the ground floor of the building as required for the meetings of the Groups, during a maximum of 30 working days every year, and, if necessary, conference room up to 200 hundred people, located close to the premises, can be used in the same conditions as the conference room located in the building;
3. c)Use of other common services of the building, including measures against trespassing and fire.
3 -The rent shall be (euro) 90000/year, being (euro) 40000/ year paid jointly by the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group and (euro) 50000/ year paid by the Portuguese designated government authority, which shall also be responsible for paying the annual adjustment fixed for commercial rents.
4 -If one Group decides to withdraw its headquarters from Portugal, the other two have the right to use two thirds of the space specified in paragraph 1, the right to use four parking spaces and the right to use the conference rooms for 20 working days, paying two thirds of the rent mentioned in the previous paragraph.
5 -If one Group decides to withdraw its headquarters from Portugal as mentioned in the previous paragraph, the other two Groups may decide to maintain the full use of the conditions described in paragraphs 1 and 2, in case which the share of the rent paid by the Portuguese designated government authority as referred to in paragraph 3 will be reduced in a third of its total annual value.
Article 6
Flag and emblem
Each Group is entitled to display its flag and emblem at its premises and on vehicles and other means of transportation used for official purposes.
PART III
Immunities and privileges of each Group
Article 7
Immunity from jurisdiction and from execution
1 -Within the scope of its official activities, each Group and its property shall benefit from jurisdictional immunity and immunity from execution, except:
1. a)When any Group expressly waives those immunities;
2. b)When a third party initiates a proceeding which relates to pecuniary compensation for death or injury suffered in an accident caused by a vehicle belonging to any Group or being used by any Group or in case such vehicle is involved in a traffic violation;
3. c)In respect of an enforcement of an arbitral decision rendered in accordance with articles 22 and 23 of the present Agreement;
4. d)In a proceeding which relates to a contract of employment between one or more of the Groups and an individual for work performed or to be performed, in whole or in part, in the territory of the Portuguese Republic and that individual is a Portuguese national or permanent resident in that territory.
2 -In the event of a request to waive their immunity in a judicial proceeding instituted by a third party, each Group so requested shall make a declaration claiming immunity within fifteen days of its receipt, the absence of which being regarded as a waiver of immunity.
3 -The decision of one Group to waive its immunity shall not affect another Groups' immunities.
4 -Without prejudice to paragraph 2 of article 4, vehicles belonging to any of the Groups may be temporarily subject to judicial or administrative measures of search or seizure if needed for the investigation of the accidents referred to above in sub-paragraph b) of this article.
Article 8
Facilities in respect of communications
Each Group shall enjoy in the territory of the Portuguese Republic for the purposes of its official communications and correspondence treatment not less favourable than that accorded by the Portuguese Republic to diplomatic missions in the matter of priorities, rates and taxes applicable to mail and the various forms of communication and correspondence.
Article 9
Circulation of publications
The circulation of publications and other information issued by any Group or sent to any Group relating to their official activities shall not be restricted in any way.
Article 10
Direct tax exemptions
The property and income resulting from the official activities of each Group are exempt from all direct taxes, including corporate income tax, capital tax and capital gains tax, conveyance tax and local tax on real estate.
Article 11
Indirect tax exemptions
1 -The goods and services acquired by each Group for official activities are exempt from all indirect taxes, including value added tax (VAT), automobile tax, taxes concerning petroleum products and alcoholic beverages tax.
2 -Relating to VAT, each Group, on acquiring new automobiles, goods and services from the national market for their official activities, shall be reimbursed if the value of each acquisition exceeds EUR 270, taxes included.
3 -The acquisition of goods and services referred to in the previous paragraph, purchased in other member States of the European Union, are not subject to the payment of VAT in Portugal.
4 -On purchasing in the national market new automobiles for official use, each Group shall be exempt from paying the automobile tax.
Article 12
Import and export exemptions
1 -Each Group shall be exempt from import and export duties and from any other taxes, prohibitions and restrictions on goods of whatsoever nature imported or exported by them as the result of its official activities.
2 -Imported, exported or transferred goods, if transported as luggage, may be declared to the custom offices by using the diplomatic pouch, labels and forms.
Article 13
Alienation to third parties
1 -The goods acquired in accordance with articles 10 and 11, or imported in accordance with article 12 of this Agreement, shall not be donated, sold, rented or otherwise disposed of within five years of their acquisition.
2 -If the period specified in the previous paragraph is not respected, the competent authorities will be notified and any necessary taxes or import duties shall be paid.
Article 14
Funds, foreign currency and assets
1 -Without being restricted by controls, regulations or moratoria of any kind:
1. a)Each Group may hold funds, currency or movable valuables of any kind and operate accounts in any currency;
2. b)Each Group may freely transfer its funds, currency or movable valuables from one country to another or within any country and convert any currency held by it into any other currency.
2 -Each Group shall be exempt from paying stamp duties on banking operations.
PART IV
Immunities and privileges of representatives, staff members and experts
Article 15
Representatives
1 -The Representatives attending the meetings of any Group shall, while exercising their official functions and during their journey to and from the place of meeting, enjoy the following privileges and immunities:
1. a)Immunity from any legal proceedings, including both civil and criminal, even after the termination of their mission, in respect of words spoken or written, and all acts performed by them in their official capacity;
2. b)Inviolability of all official papers and documents;
3. c)When required by Portuguese or European Union legislation, issuance of passport visas for the representatives and their spouses or partners free of any cost and as rapidly as possible;
4. d)The Representatives of each Group shall enjoy the same treatment as accorded to diplomatic representatives in the same circumstances, including customs privileges, unless they have residence in Portugal.
2 -The provisions of the above paragraph are without prejudice to any other immunity to which the Representative may be entitled under international law.
3 -The privileges and immunities mentioned in paragraph 1 may not be enjoyed by representatives of the Portuguese Government or portuguese nationals.
4 -Each Group shall inform the Portuguese Government of the names of Representatives of members before they enter Portugal.
Article 16
Staff members
1 -The Secretary-General of the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group shall enjoy the same privileges and immunities normally granted to heads of diplomatic missions and shall be included in the diplomatic list organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2 -Staff members shall be entitled to the following privileges:
1. a)Immunity from legal proceedings in respect of acts performed by them in the course of the performance of their functions for each Group, including words spoken or written;
2. b)Inviolability of papers and documents in whatever form and materials relating to their functions for each Group;
3. c)When required by Portuguese or European Union laws, issuance of passport visas for staff members and their spouses, partners, as well as to other dependants such as ascendants or descendants in direct line and first degree, including adoptive children in the same circumstances, free of any cost and as rapidly as possible;
4. d)The same facilities in respect to currency exchange as the ones given to members of the diplomatic missions of comparable rank, except when the Staff member has Portuguese nationality or permanent residence in Portugal;
5. e)Exemption from taxes on income and complementary remuneration to be paid by each Group; however, the Government shall take into consideration the value of all such remuneration for the purposes of estimating the taxation to apply relatively to income derived from other sources;
6. f)As they commence their functions in Portugal, the staff members shall be exempt from importation duties, VAT and special consumer taxes, except for costs destined for the payment of services, relative to the importation of furniture and other personal goods they own or shall acquire within six months of changing their residence to Portugal;
7. g)The imported goods that are exempt from importation duties cannot be sold or otherwise alienated within one year after importation and are subject to European Union regulations on this matter;
8. h)The right to import temporarily an automobile for personal use, while working in Portugal, exempt from importation duties, VAT, and automobile tax. The temporary importation request shall be presented to the customs authorities within six months from the beginning of functions;
9. i)The Secretary-General may import, under the same conditions, a second automobile to be used by his family;
10. j)The alienation of automobiles imported under sub-paragraphs h) and i) above shall be subject, with the necessary modifications, to the rules in force under Portuguese law, applicable to automobiles owned by members of diplomatic missions and consular posts;
11. k)Neither the Groups nor their employees are obliged to contribute to the Portuguese National social security system, provided that they have chosen to contribute only to the Groups' provident fund schemes.
3 -The regularisation of the status of each Group's staff members as expatriated citizens, as well as spouses or partners, dependent ascendants or descendants in direct line and first degree, as well as adoptive children in the same circumstances, is subject to the same regime as applied to the members of diplomatic missions.
4 -The conditions of work of the staff members shall be governed by the provisions of the staff rules and regulations of each Group. No Staff member can claim additional rights than those defined in the said rules and regulations.
Article 17
Experts
Paragraphs a), b) and c) of paragraph 1 of article 15 shall apply to experts who are not staff members of a Group during the exercise of their functions while on a mission for a Group.
Article 18
Notification of appointments and identity cards
1 -Each Group shall inform the Government of the beginning and cessation of the activities of any staff members and experts, and shall regularly provide the Government with the list of all active and experts, indicating whether they have Portuguese nationality or if they are foreign citizens with permanent residence in Portugal.
2 -The Government shall issue an identity card with photographs to all Staff members and experts. This document shall be recognised by all official authorities.
3 -Each Group shall return the identity cards of Staff members or experts that have ceased their activities.
Article 19
Purpose of privileges and immunities
1 -Privileges and immunities provided by the present Agreement to Representatives, staff members and experts are accorded not for the personal benefit of the individuals themselves, but in order to safeguard the independent exercise of their activities in connection with the work of each Group.
2 -Each Member State should consider waiving the immunity of its Representatives whenever this immunity could obstruct the course of justice, providing that, in the sole opinion of the Member State, this waiving of immunity does not prejudice the purposes for what the immunity was accorded.
3 -The Secretary-General shall have the right and the duty to waive those privileges and immunities accorded to any staff members or experts (other than his own), in any case where they would impede the course of justice and can be waived without prejudice to the purpose for which the privileges and immunities are accorded.
4 -The International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group may waive the immunities of the Secretary-General.
Article 20
Cooperation between each Group and the Government
1 -Each Group shall cooperate at all times with the appropriate authorities of the Government to facilitate the enforcement of the laws and regulations of the Portuguese Republic and to prevent the occurrence of any abuse in connection with the privileges, immunities and facilities referred to in the present Agreement.
2 -Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying privileges and immunities under the present Agreement to respect the laws and regulations of the Portuguese Republic. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Portuguese State.
3 -The right of the Government to take all preventive measures consistent with international law to guarantee national security shall not be prejudiced by the provisions of this Agreement.
PART V
Settlement of disputes
Article 21
Settlement of disputes with third parties
Disputes arising out of contracts and other disputes of a private law character to which any Group and a Portuguese person or entity are a Party shall be submitted to arbitration under Portuguese law, except if the contract or Portuguese law provides for submission to other jurisdiction, namely the Portuguese courts.
Article 22
Submission to international arbitration
When requested by the Government, each Group shall submit to international arbitration all disputes that:
1. a)Result from damages caused by any Group;
2. b)Involve any other non-contractual liability of any Group;
3. c)Involve a Staff member or expert of any Group, in which the person concerned can claim immunity from jurisdiction under this Agreement, where such immunity has not been waived.
  Article 23
  Settlement of disputes between any Group and the Government
1 -All disputes between any Group and the Portuguese Republic arising out of the interpretation or application of the present Agreement or any other matter that affects relations between any Group and the Portuguese Republic, shall be settled by consultation, negotiation or other agreed mode of settlement.
2 -If the dispute is not settled in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article within three months following a written request by one of the parties to the dispute, the dispute shall, at the request of either Party to the dispute, be referred to an international arbitral tribunal according to the procedure set forth in paragraphs 3 to 7 of this article.
3 -The arbitral tribunal shall be composed of three arbitrators: one to be chosen by the Government, another by the Secretary-General after having previously consulted with the Group or Groups involved in the dispute, and the third, who shall be the chairman of the tribunal, to be chosen by the other two arbitrators.
4 -If either Party to the dispute has failed to make its appointment of an arbitrator of the tribunal within three months of the appointment of the arbitrator by the other party, that other party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make such appointment.
5 -Should the first two arbitrators fail to agree upon the appointment of the chairman of the tribunal within two months following their appointment, either Party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to choose the chairman.
6 -Unless the Parties to the dispute otherwise agree, the arbitral tribunal shall determine its own procedure and the expenses shall be borne by the Parties to the dispute as assessed by the tribunal.
7 -The arbitral tribunal, which shall decide by a majority of votes, shall reach a decision on the dispute on the basis of the provisions of the present Agreement and the applicable rules of international law. The decision of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding on the Parties.
PART VI
Final provisions
Article 24
Entry into force
1 -The present Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last notification by the Parties that the formalities required by the terms of reference of each Group and the necessary requirements and shall produce its effects from the 1st of January of 2006.
2 -Upon entry into force of the present Agreement, the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities concluded between the International Copper Study Group and the Portuguese Republic, signed in Lisbon on the 9th of November of 1993, shall cease to be in force.
Article 25
Amendment
1 -The present agreement may be amended by agreement of the Parties.
2 -The amendments shall enter into force according to the procedure established in paragraph 1 of article 24.
Article 26
Termination and withdrawal
1 -The present Agreement can be terminated by agreement between the Parties. The Parties shall agree upon the date from which the provisions of the Agreement will cease to be in force.
2 -Any Party may withdraw from this Agreement, provided the intention to withdraw is notified in writing to the other Parties with at least twelve months notice.
In witness thereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed the present Agreement.
Done in Lisbon, on the 17th of November of 2005, in Portuguese and English, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver documento original)
For the International Copper Study Group:
(ver documento original)
For the International Lead and Zinc Study Group:
(ver documento original)
For the International Nickel Study Group:
(ver documento original)

Artigo 26.º

Cessação de vigência e denúncia

1 -O presente Acordo poderá cessar a sua vigência por acordo entre as Partes, devendo as mesmas acordar a data a partir da qual as disposições do Acordo deixarão de estar em vigor.
2 -O presente acordo poderá ser denunciado por uma qualquer das Partes, devendo a intenção de proceder à denúncia ser notificada por escrito às outras Partes com pelo menos 12 meses de antecedência.
Em fé do que, os abaixo assinados, estando devidamente autorizados, assinaram o presente Acordo.
Feito em Lisboa, aos 17 dias do mês de Novembro de 2005, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, fazendo ambos os textos igualmente fé.
Pela República Portuguesa:
(ver documento original)
Pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Cobre:
(ver documento original)
Pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Chumbo e Zinco:
(ver documento original)
Pelo Grupo Internacional de Estudos do Níquel:
(ver documento original)
HEADQUARTERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE INTERNATIONAL COPPER STUDY GROUP, THE INTERNATIONAL LEAD AND ZINC STUDY GROUP AND THE INTERNATIONAL NICKEL STUDY GROUP.
The Portuguese Republic, the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group, hereinafter called «the Parties», with the purpose of defining the status, privileges and immunities of each Group and persons connected with it, as defined herein, have come to the following Agreement:
PART I
Introduction
Article 1
Use of terms
For the purpose of the present Agreement:
1. a)«Group» means the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group or the International Nickel Study Group;
2. b)«Government» means the Government of the Portuguese Republic;
3. c)«Representatives» means the representatives of the members of each Group, heads of delegation and their alternates;
4. d)«Premises of each Group» means all buildings or portion thereof and the land ancillary thereto used for the official activities and archives of each Group;
5. e)«Archives of each Group» includes all records, correspondence, documents, manuscripts, photographs, films and recordings that belong to or are in the possession of each Group, as well as the information contained therein, wherever they are located;
6. f)«Official activities of each Group» includes its administrative activities as well as all other activities undertaken pursuant to the terms of reference of each Group;
7. g)«Staff members» means the Secretary-General and all persons appointed or recruited for full-time or part-time employment with a Group and subject to the staff regulations and staff rules of a Group, other than experts, assistant personnel to support each Group and persons recruited locally assigned to hourly rates of pay;
8. h)«Secretary-General» means the Secretary-General appointed by the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group, who may act separately or jointly on behalf of each Group.
  Article 2
  Object
  The purpose of the present Agreement is to provide each Group with all the necessary conditions for the full and efficient discharge of its objectives, functions and obligations at its headquarters in Portugal and shall be interpreted accordingly.
  Article 3
  Legal personality of each Group
  Each Group has a separate and individual legal personality and has separate and individual legal capacity, in particular, to contract, to acquire and to dispose of immovable and movable property and to institute legal proceedings.
  PART II
  Headquarters
  Article 4
  Inviolability of the premises and archives of the Groups
1 -The premises and archives of each Group shall be inviolable.
2 -The property and goods of official use of each Group, including archives, wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall be exempt from search, seizure, requisition, confiscation, expropriation and any other form of interference, whether by executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action.
3 -The Portuguese authorities shall exercise due diligence and take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of each Group against any intrusion or damage.
4 -The Secretary-General shall inform the Government of the location of the premises and archives of each Group and keep it informed on any changes as well as of any temporary occupation of the premises.
5 -Where premises are temporarily used or occupied by a Group for the fulfilment of its official functions these premises shall be accorded the status of premises of the Group.
6 -Officials of the Government or of public authorities are not allowed to enter the premises of any one of the Groups without prior authorisation from the Secretary-General and under the terms established by him, except in case of fire or other disaster that seriously endangers public safety and requires immediate intervention.
7 -Execution of a judicial decision or similar action, such as the seizure of private property in the premises of any Group, is not permitted except when authorised by the Secretary-General and under the terms established by him.
8 -Without prejudice to the present Agreement, no Group shall allow its premises to be used as a refuge for individuals fleeing justice or for whom an extradition or deportation order has been issued by the competent authorities.
Article 5
Headquarters
1 -The Government shall provide, through a lease contract signed by the real estate owner, the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group and the Portuguese designated government authority, the 5th and 6th floors of the building located at Rua do Almirante Barroso, 38, in Lisbon, for the headquarters of the three Groups, as long as any one of the Groups maintains its headquarters in Portugal.
2 -Besides the full use of the above-mentioned office space, the three Groups shall have full use of:
1. a)Six parking spaces;
2. b)The conference rooms located on the ground floor of the building as required for the meetings of the Groups, during a maximum of 30 working days every year, and, if necessary, conference room up to 200 hundred people, located close to the premises, can be used in the same conditions as the conference room located in the building;
3. c)Use of other common services of the building, including measures against trespassing and fire.
3 -The rent shall be (euro) 90000/year, being (euro) 40000/ year paid jointly by the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group and (euro) 50000/ year paid by the Portuguese designated government authority, which shall also be responsible for paying the annual adjustment fixed for commercial rents.
4 -If one Group decides to withdraw its headquarters from Portugal, the other two have the right to use two thirds of the space specified in paragraph 1, the right to use four parking spaces and the right to use the conference rooms for 20 working days, paying two thirds of the rent mentioned in the previous paragraph.
5 -If one Group decides to withdraw its headquarters from Portugal as mentioned in the previous paragraph, the other two Groups may decide to maintain the full use of the conditions described in paragraphs 1 and 2, in case which the share of the rent paid by the Portuguese designated government authority as referred to in paragraph 3 will be reduced in a third of its total annual value.
Article 6
Flag and emblem
Each Group is entitled to display its flag and emblem at its premises and on vehicles and other means of transportation used for official purposes.
PART III
Immunities and privileges of each Group
Article 7
Immunity from jurisdiction and from execution
1 -Within the scope of its official activities, each Group and its property shall benefit from jurisdictional immunity and immunity from execution, except:
1. a)When any Group expressly waives those immunities;
2. b)When a third party initiates a proceeding which relates to pecuniary compensation for death or injury suffered in an accident caused by a vehicle belonging to any Group or being used by any Group or in case such vehicle is involved in a traffic violation;
3. c)In respect of an enforcement of an arbitral decision rendered in accordance with articles 22 and 23 of the present Agreement;
4. d)In a proceeding which relates to a contract of employment between one or more of the Groups and an individual for work performed or to be performed, in whole or in part, in the territory of the Portuguese Republic and that individual is a Portuguese national or permanent resident in that territory.
2 -In the event of a request to waive their immunity in a judicial proceeding instituted by a third party, each Group so requested shall make a declaration claiming immunity within fifteen days of its receipt, the absence of which being regarded as a waiver of immunity.
3 -The decision of one Group to waive its immunity shall not affect another Groups' immunities.
4 -Without prejudice to paragraph 2 of article 4, vehicles belonging to any of the Groups may be temporarily subject to judicial or administrative measures of search or seizure if needed for the investigation of the accidents referred to above in sub-paragraph b) of this article.
Article 8
Facilities in respect of communications
Each Group shall enjoy in the territory of the Portuguese Republic for the purposes of its official communications and correspondence treatment not less favourable than that accorded by the Portuguese Republic to diplomatic missions in the matter of priorities, rates and taxes applicable to mail and the various forms of communication and correspondence.
Article 9
Circulation of publications
The circulation of publications and other information issued by any Group or sent to any Group relating to their official activities shall not be restricted in any way.
Article 10
Direct tax exemptions
The property and income resulting from the official activities of each Group are exempt from all direct taxes, including corporate income tax, capital tax and capital gains tax, conveyance tax and local tax on real estate.
Article 11
Indirect tax exemptions
1 -The goods and services acquired by each Group for official activities are exempt from all indirect taxes, including value added tax (VAT), automobile tax, taxes concerning petroleum products and alcoholic beverages tax.
2 -Relating to VAT, each Group, on acquiring new automobiles, goods and services from the national market for their official activities, shall be reimbursed if the value of each acquisition exceeds EUR 270, taxes included.
3 -The acquisition of goods and services referred to in the previous paragraph, purchased in other member States of the European Union, are not subject to the payment of VAT in Portugal.
4 -On purchasing in the national market new automobiles for official use, each Group shall be exempt from paying the automobile tax.
Article 12
Import and export exemptions
1 -Each Group shall be exempt from import and export duties and from any other taxes, prohibitions and restrictions on goods of whatsoever nature imported or exported by them as the result of its official activities.
2 -Imported, exported or transferred goods, if transported as luggage, may be declared to the custom offices by using the diplomatic pouch, labels and forms.
Article 13
Alienation to third parties
1 -The goods acquired in accordance with articles 10 and 11, or imported in accordance with article 12 of this Agreement, shall not be donated, sold, rented or otherwise disposed of within five years of their acquisition.
2 -If the period specified in the previous paragraph is not respected, the competent authorities will be notified and any necessary taxes or import duties shall be paid.
Article 14
Funds, foreign currency and assets
1 -Without being restricted by controls, regulations or moratoria of any kind:
1. a)Each Group may hold funds, currency or movable valuables of any kind and operate accounts in any currency;
2. b)Each Group may freely transfer its funds, currency or movable valuables from one country to another or within any country and convert any currency held by it into any other currency.
2 -Each Group shall be exempt from paying stamp duties on banking operations.
PART IV
Immunities and privileges of representatives, staff members and experts
Article 15
Representatives
1 -The Representatives attending the meetings of any Group shall, while exercising their official functions and during their journey to and from the place of meeting, enjoy the following privileges and immunities:
1. a)Immunity from any legal proceedings, including both civil and criminal, even after the termination of their mission, in respect of words spoken or written, and all acts performed by them in their official capacity;
2. b)Inviolability of all official papers and documents;
3. c)When required by Portuguese or European Union legislation, issuance of passport visas for the representatives and their spouses or partners free of any cost and as rapidly as possible;
4. d)The Representatives of each Group shall enjoy the same treatment as accorded to diplomatic representatives in the same circumstances, including customs privileges, unless they have residence in Portugal.
2 -The provisions of the above paragraph are without prejudice to any other immunity to which the Representative may be entitled under international law.
3 -The privileges and immunities mentioned in paragraph 1 may not be enjoyed by representatives of the Portuguese Government or portuguese nationals.
4 -Each Group shall inform the Portuguese Government of the names of Representatives of members before they enter Portugal.
Article 16
Staff members
1 -The Secretary-General of the International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group shall enjoy the same privileges and immunities normally granted to heads of diplomatic missions and shall be included in the diplomatic list organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2 -Staff members shall be entitled to the following privileges:
1. a)Immunity from legal proceedings in respect of acts performed by them in the course of the performance of their functions for each Group, including words spoken or written;
2. b)Inviolability of papers and documents in whatever form and materials relating to their functions for each Group;
3. c)When required by Portuguese or European Union laws, issuance of passport visas for staff members and their spouses, partners, as well as to other dependants such as ascendants or descendants in direct line and first degree, including adoptive children in the same circumstances, free of any cost and as rapidly as possible;
4. d)The same facilities in respect to currency exchange as the ones given to members of the diplomatic missions of comparable rank, except when the Staff member has Portuguese nationality or permanent residence in Portugal;
5. e)Exemption from taxes on income and complementary remuneration to be paid by each Group; however, the Government shall take into consideration the value of all such remuneration for the purposes of estimating the taxation to apply relatively to income derived from other sources;
6. f)As they commence their functions in Portugal, the staff members shall be exempt from importation duties, VAT and special consumer taxes, except for costs destined for the payment of services, relative to the importation of furniture and other personal goods they own or shall acquire within six months of changing their residence to Portugal;
7. g)The imported goods that are exempt from importation duties cannot be sold or otherwise alienated within one year after importation and are subject to European Union regulations on this matter;
8. h)The right to import temporarily an automobile for personal use, while working in Portugal, exempt from importation duties, VAT, and automobile tax. The temporary importation request shall be presented to the customs authorities within six months from the beginning of functions;
9. i)The Secretary-General may import, under the same conditions, a second automobile to be used by his family;
10. j)The alienation of automobiles imported under sub-paragraphs h) and i) above shall be subject, with the necessary modifications, to the rules in force under Portuguese law, applicable to automobiles owned by members of diplomatic missions and consular posts;
11. k)Neither the Groups nor their employees are obliged to contribute to the Portuguese National social security system, provided that they have chosen to contribute only to the Groups' provident fund schemes.
3 -The regularisation of the status of each Group's staff members as expatriated citizens, as well as spouses or partners, dependent ascendants or descendants in direct line and first degree, as well as adoptive children in the same circumstances, is subject to the same regime as applied to the members of diplomatic missions.
4 -The conditions of work of the staff members shall be governed by the provisions of the staff rules and regulations of each Group. No Staff member can claim additional rights than those defined in the said rules and regulations.
Article 17
Experts
Paragraphs a), b) and c) of paragraph 1 of article 15 shall apply to experts who are not staff members of a Group during the exercise of their functions while on a mission for a Group.
Article 18
Notification of appointments and identity cards
1 -Each Group shall inform the Government of the beginning and cessation of the activities of any staff members and experts, and shall regularly provide the Government with the list of all active and experts, indicating whether they have Portuguese nationality or if they are foreign citizens with permanent residence in Portugal.
2 -The Government shall issue an identity card with photographs to all Staff members and experts. This document shall be recognised by all official authorities.
3 -Each Group shall return the identity cards of Staff members or experts that have ceased their activities.
Article 19
Purpose of privileges and immunities
1 -Privileges and immunities provided by the present Agreement to Representatives, staff members and experts are accorded not for the personal benefit of the individuals themselves, but in order to safeguard the independent exercise of their activities in connection with the work of each Group.
2 -Each Member State should consider waiving the immunity of its Representatives whenever this immunity could obstruct the course of justice, providing that, in the sole opinion of the Member State, this waiving of immunity does not prejudice the purposes for what the immunity was accorded.
3 -The Secretary-General shall have the right and the duty to waive those privileges and immunities accorded to any staff members or experts (other than his own), in any case where they would impede the course of justice and can be waived without prejudice to the purpose for which the privileges and immunities are accorded.
4 -The International Copper Study Group, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group and the International Nickel Study Group may waive the immunities of the Secretary-General.
Article 20
Cooperation between each Group and the Government
1 -Each Group shall cooperate at all times with the appropriate authorities of the Government to facilitate the enforcement of the laws and regulations of the Portuguese Republic and to prevent the occurrence of any abuse in connection with the privileges, immunities and facilities referred to in the present Agreement.
2 -Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying privileges and immunities under the present Agreement to respect the laws and regulations of the Portuguese Republic. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Portuguese State.
3 -The right of the Government to take all preventive measures consistent with international law to guarantee national security shall not be prejudiced by the provisions of this Agreement.
PART V
Settlement of disputes
Article 21
Settlement of disputes with third parties
Disputes arising out of contracts and other disputes of a private law character to which any Group and a Portuguese person or entity are a Party shall be submitted to arbitration under Portuguese law, except if the contract or Portuguese law provides for submission to other jurisdiction, namely the Portuguese courts.
Article 22
Submission to international arbitration
When requested by the Government, each Group shall submit to international arbitration all disputes that:
1. a)Result from damages caused by any Group;
2. b)Involve any other non-contractual liability of any Group;
3. c)Involve a Staff member or expert of any Group, in which the person concerned can claim immunity from jurisdiction under this Agreement, where such immunity has not been waived.
  Article 23
  Settlement of disputes between any Group and the Government
1 -All disputes between any Group and the Portuguese Republic arising out of the interpretation or application of the present Agreement or any other matter that affects relations between any Group and the Portuguese Republic, shall be settled by consultation, negotiation or other agreed mode of settlement.
2 -If the dispute is not settled in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article within three months following a written request by one of the parties to the dispute, the dispute shall, at the request of either Party to the dispute, be referred to an international arbitral tribunal according to the procedure set forth in paragraphs 3 to 7 of this article.
3 -The arbitral tribunal shall be composed of three arbitrators: one to be chosen by the Government, another by the Secretary-General after having previously consulted with the Group or Groups involved in the dispute, and the third, who shall be the chairman of the tribunal, to be chosen by the other two arbitrators.
4 -If either Party to the dispute has failed to make its appointment of an arbitrator of the tribunal within three months of the appointment of the arbitrator by the other party, that other party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to make such appointment.
5 -Should the first two arbitrators fail to agree upon the appointment of the chairman of the tribunal within two months following their appointment, either Party may invite the President of the International Court of Justice to choose the chairman.
6 -Unless the Parties to the dispute otherwise agree, the arbitral tribunal shall determine its own procedure and the expenses shall be borne by the Parties to the dispute as assessed by the tribunal.
7 -The arbitral tribunal, which shall decide by a majority of votes, shall reach a decision on the dispute on the basis of the provisions of the present Agreement and the applicable rules of international law. The decision of the arbitral tribunal shall be final and binding on the Parties.
PART VI
Final provisions
Article 24
Entry into force
1 -The present Agreement shall enter into force on the date of receipt of the last notification by the Parties that the formalities required by the terms of reference of each Group and the necessary requirements and shall produce its effects from the 1st of January of 2006.
2 -Upon entry into force of the present Agreement, the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities concluded between the International Copper Study Group and the Portuguese Republic, signed in Lisbon on the 9th of November of 1993, shall cease to be in force.
Article 25
Amendment
1 -The present agreement may be amended by agreement of the Parties.
2 -The amendments shall enter into force according to the procedure established in paragraph 1 of article 24.
Article 26
Termination and withdrawal
1 -The present Agreement can be terminated by agreement between the Parties. The Parties shall agree upon the date from which the provisions of the Agreement will cease to be in force.
2 -Any Party may withdraw from this Agreement, provided the intention to withdraw is notified in writing to the other Parties with at least twelve months notice.
In witness thereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed the present Agreement.
Done in Lisbon, on the 17th of November of 2005, in Portuguese and English, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Portuguese Republic:
(ver documento original)
For the International Copper Study Group:
(ver documento original)
For the International Lead and Zinc Study Group:
(ver documento original)
For the International Nickel Study Group:
(ver documento original)