This agreement aims to simplify road transport between the two countries, as well as transit transport to and from third countries.
The Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic was instructed to sign the agreement.
Key aspects of the agreement:
- Carriers from both countries will be able to carry out both passenger and freight transport in bilateral and transit modes;
- Freight transport is exempt from permits, including transit and transport to third countries;
- Cabotage is prohibited — internal transport on the territory of the other party will not be allowed;
- Regular passenger transport will be carried out in coordination with the competent authorities, while irregular transport will be permitted in certain cases without permits;
- Vehicles will not be burdened with taxes and fees for ownership and operation (except for fuel and road fees);
- Unified requirements for the transport of dangerous and perishable goods, as well as standards for weight and dimensions, have been established.
To effectively implement the agreement, a joint committee will be created to address contentious issues and proposals for amending the document. The agreement also covers the Principality of Liechtenstein due to its customs union with Switzerland.
The agreement will take effect 30 days after the completion of the internal procedures necessary for its entry into force and will remain in effect indefinitely.
text of the agreement
Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Federal Council of Switzerland on International Road Transport of Passengers and Goods
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Federal Council of Switzerland, hereinafter referred to as the Parties, striving to facilitate international road transport between the two countries and transit through their territories, have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Scope of Application
This Agreement grants carriers from both Parties the right to carry out transport of passengers or goods by road between the territories of the Parties or in transit through their territories, as well as to and from third countries.
Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms are used:
1) territory – the territory of the state of one of the Parties where the carrier is registered and where the vehicle is registered, or the territory where the carrier operates without registration;
2) transport – operation of an empty or loaded vehicle;
3) carrier – any natural or legal person located in the territory of one of the states of the Parties and authorized under national legislation to carry out international transport of passengers or goods;
4) vehicle — in the case of transport:
а) of passengers – a bus designed to carry more than nine passengers, including the driver, and registered in the territory of one of the Parties;
б) of goods – a freight vehicle, a truck with a trailer, a semi-trailer truck, or a tractor with a trailer, registered in the territory of one of the Parties. If transport is carried out by a combination of vehicles registered in different countries, the combination is subject to the agreement only if the tractor is registered in the territory of one of the Parties;
5) regular passenger transport — transport of passengers using road vehicles along a previously agreed route with specified schedules, starting, ending, and intermediate points;
6) occasional passenger transport – irregular transport of passengers. The frequency or number of trips does not affect the classification;
7) permit – a document allowing a vehicle to cross territories for entry/exit and transit;
8) transit transport — transport through the territory of one of the Parties, when the points of departure and destination are located outside this state.
Article 3
Regular Passenger Transport
1. Regular transport is organized by prior agreement between the competent authorities of both countries. A carrier from one of the Parties carries out regular transport in the territory of the other Party after obtaining the appropriate permit.
2. Passenger transport carried out under certain conditions does not require a permit:
– transfer with a stay in the territory of the other Party;
– empty trips related to shuttle services.
Article 4
Irregular Passenger Transport
1. For occasional transport between the two states, except for cases specified in paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, permits from the competent authorities are required.
2. The competent authorities will issue permits for that part of the route that crosses their territory.
3. Permits are not required if a group of passengers from the same composition is transported by one vehicle and:
а) the trip starts and ends in the territory where the vehicle is registered;
б) the trip starts in the territory where the vehicle is registered and ends in the territory of the other Party, provided that the vehicle leaves this territory empty;
в) passengers are offered a trip to the territory of the other Party, and their expenses are covered by the receiving party.
4. Transit trips do not require a permit.
5. A permit is not required when replacing a defective vehicle.
6. The driver of the vehicle must carry a special waybill and a list of passengers while carrying out transport.
Article 5
Permits for Freight Transport
1. A carrier from one of the Parties may temporarily import an empty or loaded vehicle into the territory of the other Party for carrying out transport operations without a permit:
а) between points in the territory of both Parties;
б) when departing to a third country or from it;
в) in transit through the other Party.
Article 6
Prohibition of Internal Transport (Cabotage)
A carrier authorized in the territory of one Party is not allowed to carry out internal transport in the territory of the other Party.
Article 7
Transport of Dangerous and Perishable Goods
The transport of such goods is carried out in accordance with the national laws of both Parties.
Article 8
Weight and Dimensions
1. The dimensions and weight of freight vehicles must comply with the established standards in the territory of the other Party. Each Party may not impose stricter conditions for vehicles registered in the territory of the other Party.
2. In case of exceeding the standards, a special permit from the competent authority is required.
Article 9
Taxation and Fees
Vehicles used for transport are exempt from taxes and fees for ownership and operation, except for fuel taxes and road fees.
Article 10
Exemption from Customs Duties
Exempt from customs duties are cases of importing certain goods, including fuel and spare parts for repairs.
Article 11
Application of National Legislation
Issues not regulated by the agreement are subject to regulation by the national legislation of the respective states.
Article 12
International Obligations
This agreement does not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties under other international agreements.
Article 13
Violations
The competent authorities monitor compliance with the terms of the agreement and take measures in case of violations.
Article 14
Competent Authorities
The following authorities are designated for the implementation of the agreement:
for the Kyrgyz Republic: Ministry of Transport and Communications;
for Switzerland: Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications.
Article 15
Joint Committee
A joint committee is established to address issues arising during the implementation of the agreement.
Article 16
Extension of Action to Liechtenstein
The agreement applies to the Principality of Liechtenstein due to its customs union with Switzerland.
Article 17
Entry into Force
The agreement enters into force 30 days after the completion of the necessary domestic procedures.
The agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the Parties.
Article 18
Duration and Termination
The agreement is valid indefinitely and may be terminated by either Party with six months' notice.
Signed in two copies in the city of “___” ___________20__ in Kyrgyz, Russian, German, and English, all texts have equal force. In case of discrepancies, the English text shall prevail.
The Cabinet of Ministers
of the Kyrgyz Republic
The Federal Council
of Switzerland
