Italaw 6222
Italaw 6222
PREAMBLE
The United States of America and the Republic of Poland; (hereinafter referred to as
"the Parties");
Desiring to develop further the friendship between the American and Polish peoples;
Recognizing that the further development of business and economic ties can
contribute to a general strengthening of their relations;
Recognizing that agreement upon the treatment to be accorded such investment will
stimulate the flow of private capital and the economic development of the Parties;
Desiring to develop long-term business and economic cooperation based upon the
principles of sovereign equality and mutual benefits;
Recognizing that the development of business and economic ties can contribute to
the well-being of workers in both countries and promote respect for fundamental
worker rights;
Convinced that private enterprise operating within a free and open market offers the
best opportunities for raising living standards and the quality of life for the inhabitants
of the Parties; and
Recognizing the desire of the Republic of Poland to reduce the role of state
enterprises and privatize its economy;
Agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
(a) "company of a Party" means any kind of corporation, company, association, state
enterprise, or other organization, legally constituted under the laws and regulations of
a Party or a political subdivision thereof whether or not organized for pecuniary gain,
or privately or governmentally owned;
(b) "investment" means every kind of investment, in the territory of one Party owned
or controlled directly or indirectly by nationals or companies of the other party, and
includes:
(i) tangible and intangible property, including rights, such as mortgages, liens and
pledges;
(iv) intellectual property which includes, rights relating to: literary and artistic works,
including sound recordings, patent rights, industrial designs, semiconductor mask
works, trade secrets, and trademarks, service marks, and trade names; and
(v) any right conferred by law or contract, and any licenses and permits pursuant to
law;
(c) "national of a Party" means, a natural person who is a national of a Party under its
applicable law;
(e) "associated activities" are activities associated with an investment, such as the
organization, control, operation, maintenance and disposition of companies,
branches, agencies, offices, factories or other facilities for the conduct business; the
making, performance and enforcement of contracts; the acquisition, use, protection
and disposition of property of all kinds including intellectual property rights; the
borrowing of funds; the purchase and issuance of equity shares and other securities;
and the purchase of foreign exchange;
(g) "national treatment" means treatment that is at least as favorable as the most
favorable treatment accorded by a Party to companies or nationals of that Party in
like circumstances;
2. Each Party reserves the right to deny to any company the advantages of this
Treaty if nationals of any third country control such company and, in the case of a
company of the other Party, that company has no substantial business activities in
the territory of the other Party or is controlled by nationals of a third country with
which the denying Party does not maintain normal economic relations.
3. Any alteration of the form in which assets are invested or reinvested undertaken in
accordance with the laws of the Party concerned, provided that the application of
such laws does not impair any rights conferred by this Treaty, shall not affect their
character as investment.
ARTICLE II
Treatment of Investment
1. Each Party shall permit, in accordance with its relevant laws and regulations, and
treat investment and associated activities on a nondiscriminatory basis, subject to the
right of each Party to make or maintain exceptions falling within one of the sectors or
matters listed in the Annex to this Treaty. Each Party agrees to notify the other Party
before or on the date of entry into force of this Treaty of all laws and regulations of
which it is aware concerning the sectors or matters listed in the Annex. Moreover,
each Party agrees to notify the other of any future exception with respect to the
sectors or matters listed in the Annex, and to limit such exceptions to a minimum.
Any future exceptions by either Party shall not apply to investment existing in that
sector or matter at the time the exception becomes effective. Except as stated
otherwise in the Annex, the treatment accorded pursuant to any exceptions shall not
be less favorable than that accorded in like situations to investments and associated
activities of nationals or companies of any third country, except with respect to
ownership of real property. Rights to engage in mining on the public domain shall be
dependent on reciprocity.
2. Subject to the laws relating to the entry and sojourn of aliens, nationals of either
Party and their families shall be permitted to enter and to remain in the territory of the
other Party for the purpose of establishing, developing, administering or advising on
the operation of an investment to which they, or a company of the first Party that
employs them, have committed or are in the process of committing a substantial
amount of capital or other resources.
6. Investment shall at all times be accorded fair and equitable treatment, shall enjoy
full protection and security and shall in no case be accorded treatment less than that
required by international law. Neither Party shall in any way impair by arbitrary and
discriminatory measures the management, operation, maintenance, use, enjoyment,
acquisition, expansion or disposal of investments. Each Party shall observe any
obligation it may have entered into with regard to investments.
7. Each Party shall provide effective means of asserting claims and enforcing rights
with respect to investments under this Treaty and authorizations relating thereto, with
the exception of denials thereof, and investment agreements.
8. Subject to the right to make or maintain exceptions falling within one of the sectors
or matters listed in the Annex, each Party shall accord nondiscriminatory treatment to
nationals and companies of the other Party in the conduct of their investment and
associated activities with respect to:
(b) the issuance of registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals necessary for
the conduct of commercial activity, which shall in any event be issued expeditiously;
(e) the importation and installation of equipment necessary for the normal conduct of
business affairs, including, but not limited to office equipment and automobiles, and
the export of any equipment and automobiles so imported;
(i) the marketing of goods and services, including through internal distribution and
marketing systems and by direct contract with individuals and companies;
(j) access to public utilities, public services and commercial rental space at
nondiscriminatory prices, if the prices are set or controlled by the government;
(k) access to raw materials, inputs and services of all types at nondiscriminatory
prices, if the prices are set or controlled by the government.
9. Subject to the right to make or maintain exceptions falling within one of the sectors
or matters listed in the Annex, for purposes of facilitating investment and associated
activities, each Party shall accord nondiscriminatory treatment to nationals and
companies of the other Party with respect to the sale, offering for sale and acquisition
of equity shares and other securities. With respect to acquisition of interests in any
governmentally-owned enterprise or organization undergoing privatization, the
Republic Poland shall provide most-favored nation treatment to nation and
companies of the United States.
ARTICLE III
Business Facilitation and Business Rights
1. Each Party will encourage the participation of its national and companies in trade
promotion events such as fairs, exhibition, missions and seminars held in the territory
of the other Party. Similarly, each Party will encourage nationals and companies of
the other Party to participate in trade promotion events in its territory. Subject to the
laws in force within their territories, the Parties agree to allow the import and re-
export on a duty-free basis of all articles for use in trade promotion events, provided
that such articles are not sold or otherwise transferred.
2. Subject to the right to make or maintain exceptions falling within one of the sectors
or matters listed in the Annex, for purposes of facilitating trade between the Republic
of Poland and the United States in goods and services, each Party shall accord non-
discriminatory treatment to nationals and companies of the other Party in the conduct
of their commercial activities with respect to:
(b) the issuance of registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals necessary for
the conduct of commercial activity which shall in any event be issued expeditiously;
(e) the importation and installation of equipment necessary for the normal conduct of
business affairs, including, but not limited to office equipment and automobiles, and
the export of any equipment and automobiles so imported;
(i) the marketing of goods and services, including through internal distribution and
marketing systems and by direct con tact with individuals and companies;
(j) access to public utilities, public services and commercia rental space at
nondiscriminatory prices, if the prices are sei or controlled by the government;
(k) access to raw materials, inputs and services of all types ai nondiscriminatory
prices, if the prices are set or controlled by the government.
4. Each Party agrees to notify the other Party before or on the date of entry into force
of this Treaty of all laws and regulations of which it is aware concerning the sectors or
matters listed in the Annex. Moreover, each Party agrees to notify the other of any
future exceptions with respect to the sectors or matters listed in the Annex, and to
limit such exceptions to a minimum. Any future exceptions by either Party shall not
apply to commercial activities conducted in that sector or matter at the time the
exception becomes effective. Except as stated otherwise in the Annex, the treatment
accorded pursuant to any exceptions shall not be less favorable than that accorded
in like situations to commercial activities of nationals or companies of any third
country.
5. Each Party shall provide effective means of asserting claims and enforcing rights
with respect to agreements in connection with the conduct of commercial activity.
6. The Parties endorse the use of arbitration, under internationally recognized rules,
for the settlement of commercial disputes between nationals and companies of the
Republic of Poland and nationals and companies of the United States. Neither Party
shall require that the place of any arbitration be in the United States or the Republic
of Poland.
7. Subject to the laws relating to the entry and sojourn of aliens, nationals of either
Party and their families shall be permitted to enter and to remain in the territory of the
other Party for the purpose of carrying on trade between the territory of the two
Parties and engaging in commercial activities.
ARTICLE IV
Protection of Intellectual Property
The Parties shall provide adequate and effective protection and enforcement of
intellectual property rights. To establish such protection, each Party agrees, inter alia,
to:
-provide adequate and effective protection for integrated circuit layout design (mask
works);
ARTICLE V
Transfers
1. Each Party shall permit all transfers related to an investment of commercial activity
to be made freely and without delay into and out of its territory. Such transfers
include:
(a) returns;
(e) proceeds from the sale or liquidation of all or any part of an investment; and
ARTICLE VI
Taxation
1. With respect to its tax policies, each Party should strive to accord fairness and
equity in the treatment of investment of, and commercial activity conducted by,
nationals and companies of the other Party.
2. Nevertheless, the provisions of this Treaty, and in particular Articles IX and X, shall
apply to matters of taxation only with respect to the following:
ARTICLE VII
Compensation for Expropriation
2. A national or company of either Party that asserts that all or part of its investment
has been expropriated shall have a right to prompt review by the appropriate judicial
or administrative authorities of the other Party to determine whether any such
expropriation has occurred and, if so, whether such expropriation, and any
compensation therefor, conforms to the provisions of this Treaty and to principles of
international law.
ARTICLE VIII
Exchange of Information and Transparency
ARTICLE IX
Settlement of Disputes Between a Party and an Investor of the Other Party
3. (a) At any time after six months from the date on which the dispute arose, the
national or company concerned may choose to consent in writing to the submission
of the dispute for settlement by conciliation or binding arbitration to the International
Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes ("Centre") or to the Additional
Facility of the Centre or pursuant to the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations
Commission on International Trade Law ("UNCITRAL") or pursuant to the arbitration
rules of any arbitral institution mutually agree between the parties to the dispute.
Once the national or company concerned has so consented, either party to the
dispute may institute such proceeding provided:
(i) The dispute has not been submitted by the national or company for resolution in
accordance with any applicable previously agreed dispute-settlement procedures;
and
(ii) the national or company concerned has not brought the dispute before the courts
of justice or administrative tribunals or agencies of competent jurisdiction of the Party
that is a party to the dispute.
If the parties disagree over whether conciliation or binding arbitration is the more
appropriate procedure to be employed, the opinion of the national or company
concerned shall prevail.
(b) Each Party hereby consents to the submission of an investment dispute for
settlement by conciliation or binding arbitration:
(i) To the Centre, in the event that the Republic of Poland becomes a party to the
Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals
of Other States done at Washington, March 18, 1965 ("Convention") and the
Regulations and Rules of the Centre, and to the Additional Facility of the Centre, and
(ii) to an arbitral tribunal established under the UNCITRAL Rules, as those Rules may
be modified by mutual agreement of the parties to the dispute, the appointing
authority referenced therein to be Secretary General of the Centre.
(c) Conciliation or arbitration of disputes under (b) (i) shall be done applying the
provisions of the Convention and the Regulations and Rules of the Centre, or of the
Additional Facility as the case may be.
(d) The place of any arbitration conducted under this Article shall be a country which
is a party to the 1958 United Nations Convention on the Recognition and
Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
(e) Each Party undertakes to carry out without delay the provisions of any award
resulting from an arbitration held in accordance with this Article. Further, each Party
shall provide for the enforcement in its territory of such arbitral awards.
5. In the event of an arbitration, for the purposes of this Article any company legally
constituted under the applicable laws and regulations of either Party or a political
subdivision thereof but that, immediately before the occurrence of the event or events
giving rise to the dispute, was an investment of nationals or companies of the other
Party, shall be treated as a national or company of such other Party, in accordance
with Article 25(2)(b) of the Convention.
ARTICLE X
Consultation and Settlement of Disputes Between the Parties
1. The Parties agree to consult promptly, on the request of either Party, to resolve
any disputes in connection with this Treaty, or to discuss any matter relating to the
interpretation or application of this Treaty.
2. Any dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this
Treaty which is not resolved within six months through consultations or other
diplomatic channels, shall be submitted, upon the request of either Party, to an
arbitral tribunal for binding decision in accordance with this Treaty and the applicable
rules of international law. In the absence of an agreement by the Parties to the
contrary, the arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International
Trade Law (UNCITRAL), except to the extent modified by the Parties or by the
arbitrators, shall govern.
3. Within two months of receipt of a request, each Party shall appoint an arbitrator.
The two arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator as Chairman, who is a national of a
third State. The UNCITRAL Rules for appointing members of three member panels
shall apply mutatis mutandis to the appointment of the arbitral panel except that the
appointing authority referenced in those rules shall be the Secretary General of the
Centre.
4. Unless otherwise agreed, all submissions shall be made and all hearings shall be
completed within six months of the date of selection of the third arbitrator, and the
Tribunal shall render its decisions within two months of the date of the final
submissions or the date of the closing of the hearings, whichever is later.
5. Expenses incurred by the Chairman, the other arbitrators, and other costs of the
proceedings shall be paid for equally by the Parties. The Tribunal may, however, at
its discretion, direct that a high proportion of the costs be paid by one of the Parties.
Each Party shall bear the expense of its representation in the proceedings before the
arbitral tribunal.
ARTICLE XI
Disputes Not Covered by Articles IX and X
The provisions of Articles IX and X shall not apply to a dispute arising (a) under the
export credit, guarantee or insurance programs of the Export-Import Bank of the
United States or (b) under other official credit, guarantee or insurance arrangements
pursuant to which the Parties have agreed to other means of settling disputes.
ARTICLE XII
Reservation of Rights
(a) that Party's binding obligations that derive from full membership in a free trade
area or customs union or existing binding obligations under the Council of Mutual
Economic Assistance; or
(b) that Party's binding obligations under any multilateral international agreement
under the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade entered into
subsequent to this Treaty.
3. This Treaty shall, not preclude the application by either Party of measures
necessary for the maintenance of public order, the fulfillment of its obligations with
respect to the maintenance or restoration of international peace or security, or the
protection of its own essential security interests.
4. This Treaty shall not preclude either Party from prescribing special formalities in
connection with the establishment of investments or the conduct of commercial
activities, but such formalities shall not impair the substance of any of the rights set
forth in this treaty.
5. This Treaty shall not preclude either Party from establishing qualifications for the
practice of professions.
ARTICLE XIII
Application to Political Subdivisions
ARTICLE XIV
Entry Into Force and Termination
1. This Treaty shall be ratified and shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following
the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification which shall take place in
Warsaw. It shall remain in force for a period of ten years and shall continue in force
unless terminated in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article.
2. This Treaty shall apply to investments and associated activities and to commercial
activities existing at the time of entry into force as well as to investments made or
acquired and commercial activities undertaken while this Treaty is in force.
3. Either Party may, by giving one year's written notice to the other Party, terminate
this Treaty at the end of the initial ten year period or at any time thereafter.
George Bush.
Tadeusz Mazowiecki.
ANNEX
1. Consistent with Article II, paragraph 1, the United States reserves the right to make
or maintain limited exceptions in the sectors or matters it has indicated below:
2. Consistent with Article II, paragraphs 1 and 9, the United States shall accord
treatment in accordance with its laws and regulations with respect to primary
dealership in U.S. government securities; maritime related services; and the sale,
offering for sale and acquisition of equity shares and other securities and all services
and activities related thereto.
3. Consistent with Article III, paragraph 2, the United States reserves the right to
make or maintain limited exceptions in the sectors or matters noted in paragraph 1 of
this Annex.
4. Consistent with Article 11, paragraph 1, the Republic of Poland reserves the right
to make or maintain limited exceptions in the sectors or matters it has indicated
below:
The Republic of Poland reaffirms its intention to eliminate the state monopoly status
of a number of sectors and matters listed above. As the process of privatization and
demonopolization progresses, the Republic of Poland intends to remove some of
these sectors or matters from the list of exceptions in this Annex. The Republic of
Poland will notify the Government of the United States the measures being taken in
fulfillment of the Republic of Poland takes note of the particular interest in the sectors
of telecommunications, publishing and printing, banking and other financial services
(including insurance).
5. Consistent with Article II, paragraph 8(c), the Republic of Poland shall accord the
treatment provided therein with respect to access to financial institutions and credit
markets only to (i) nationals of the United States legally resident in the territory of the
Republic of Poland; and (ii) companies incorporated in the republic of Poland which
are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by nationals or companies of the United
States. The Parties understand that these Limitations shall be eliminated upon the
introduction of the full convertibility of the zloty.
6. Consistent with Article III, paragraphs 2(c) and 3, the Republic of Poland shall
accord the treatment provided therein with respect to access to financial institutions,
credit markets and foreign exchange only to (i) nationals of the United States legally
resident in the territory of the Republic of Poland; and (ii) companies incorporated in
the Republic of Poland which are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by
nationals or companies of the United States. The Parties understand that these
limitations shall be eliminated immediately upon the introduction of the full
convertibility of the zloty.
7. During the period of transformation of Polish economic law but in no case beyond
December 31, 1992, the Republic of Poland may add to the list of sectors or matters
indicated in this Annex if needed in order to comply with changes in Polish law,
provided that any such modifications shall be kept to a minimum and shall not
significantly impair investment or commercial opportunities for nationals and
companies of the United States under this Treaty. Any modifications under this
paragraph shall not apply to investments and associated activities existing at the time
such modifications become effective.
PROTOCOL
1. The Republic of Poland agrees that nationals and companies of the United States
shall be free to select commercial agents of their choice and to agree upon
commission rates with such agents.
3. The Republic of Poland affirms its policy of ensuring that bank deposits held within
the territory of Poland receive a positive real rate of interest.
As of 1st January 1992: 20 percent of the remaining profits gained in 1990-1991 and
not previously transferred.
As of lst January 1993: 35 percent of the remaining profits gained in 1990-1992 and
not previously transferred.
As of lst January 1993: 50 percent of the remaining profits gained in 1990-1993 and
not previously transferred.
As of lst January 1995: 80 percent of the remaining profits gained in 1990-1993 and
not previously transferred.
As of lst January 1996: 100 percent of the remaining profits gained in 1990-1995 and
not previously transferred, and 100 percent of profits gained thereafter.
If the Republic of Poland introduces full convertibility of its currency before lst
January 1996, transfers of profits shall be made without restrictions from the date of
introduction of full convertibility.
5. The Republic of Poland shall ensure that the opportunity exists to invest profits
which cannot be transferred in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Protocol in a bank
account that yields a positive real rate of interest.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
Washington, DC, March 21, 1990.
The Government of the Republic of Poland agrees to designate within the Agency for
Foreign Investments a Deputy President to assist U.S. nationals and companies in
deriving the full benefits of the Treaty in connection with their investment and
associated activities.
The Deputy President will serve as the government coordinator and problem solver
for investors experiencing difficulties with registration, licensing, nondiscriminatory
access to utilities regulatory and other matters.
coordination with Polish government agencies at the national and local level to
facilitate investment and resolve disputes;
I have the honor to propose that this understanding be treated as an integral part of
the Treaty Concerning Business a Economic Relations.
I would be grateful if you would confirm that this understanding is shared by your
Government.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Mosbacher
Secretary of Commerce.
DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have the honor to confirm the following understanding
reached between the delegations of the Republic of Poland and the United States in
the course of the negotiations of the Treaty Concerning Business and Economic
Relations signed this day:
[The English translation of this letter agrees in all substantive respects with the text of
Secretary Mosbacher's letter on assistance to investors.]
I have the honor to propose that this understanding be treated as an integral part of
the Treaty Concerning Business and Economic Relations.
I would be grateful if you would confirm that this understanding is shared by your
Government.
Respectfully,
(S) D. LEDWOROWSKI.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
Washington DC, March 21, 1990.
DEAR MR. MINISTER: I have the honor to confirm the following understanding in
relation to United States companies and Polish companies providing tourism and
travel-related services, which was reached between the delegations of the United
States and the Republic of Poland in the course of negotiations of the Treaty
Concerning Business and Economic Relations signed this day.
1. The Parties recognize the need to encourage and promote the growth of tourism
and travel-related investment and trade between the United States of America and
the Republic of Poland,
2. The Parties recognize the benefits to both economics of increased tourism and
travel-related investment in and trade between their two territories.
3. Each Party shall ensure, within the scope of its legal authority, that any company
owned, controlled or administered by that Party, or any joint venture therewith, which
effectively controls a significant portion of supply of any travel or tourism services
shall provide that service to the nationals and companies of the other Party on a fair
and equitable basis.
In furtherance of the provisions of this letter, we take note of the Agreement between
the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Polish
People's Republic on the Development and Facilitation of Tourism, signed on
September 20, 1989.
Nothing in this understanding shall be construed to mean that tourism and travel-
related services shall not receive the benefits from the Treaty Concerning Business
and Economic Relations as fully as other industries and sectors.
I have the honor to propose that this understanding be treated as an integral party of
the Treaty Concerning Business and Economic Relations.
I would be grateful if you would confirm that this understanding is shared by your
Government.
Sincerely,
ROBERT A. MOSBACHER,
Secretary of Commerce.
DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have the honor to confirm the following understanding
reached between the delegations of the Republic of Poland the United States in the
course of the negotiations of the Treaty Concerning Business and Economic
Relations signed this day.
[The English translation of this letter agrees in all substantive respects with the text of
Secretary Mosbacher's letter on tourism.]
I have the honor to propose that this understanding be treated as an integral part of
the Treaty Concerning Business and Economic Relations.
I would be grateful if you would confirm that this understanding is shared by your
Government.
Respectfully,
(S) D. LEDWOROWSKI.