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SECTORAL AGREEMENTS ON SERVICES 
IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

SG/TU/WG.SERV/DOC.2/97/Rev. 2
25 February 1998
Original: English


(Continuation)

4. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 

B. Bilateral Sectoral Agreements

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

 

1. Acuerdo por Canje de Notas Relativo al Reconocimiento de los Estudios de Nivel Primario y Secundario (Agreement through exchange of notes on the Mutual Recognition of Studies at Primary and Secondary Levels)

DATE: October 14, 1994

MEMBERS: Argentina and Uruguay

Summary of Provisions

Objective: Both Governments will recognize the studies undertaken in Primary and Intermediate Education, and will validate their accrediting Certificates, granted by institutes that are recognized by the official educational systems of both States, in the same conditions that are established by each country to current or graduating students of such institutes.

Such Recognition will take place according to the Table of Equivalences in the Annex, which is considered an integrating part of this note.

Technical Commission: With the purpose to elaborate such Table of Equivalences; establish the equivalent denominations for the different levels of education; consider the compatibility of curricula; harmonize the administrative mechanisms which facilitate the development of the previously established; create the conditions to facilitate the students’ adaptation to the receiving country; resolve the situations which were not contemplated by the Table of Equivalences; and be responsible for the fulfillment of this Agreement, a Bilateral Technical Commission will be constituted, comprised by delegations designated by the countries’ respective Ministries of Education. The coordination of this Commission will be under the responsibility of the competent areas of each Chancellery, and may meet whenever the Parties consider it necessary.

Transparency: Each Party shall inform the other about any changes in its educational system.

In Effect: This Agreement will be effective as long as the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between the Governments of the Republic of Argentina and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, signed in December 30, 1975, is still effective.

Denouncement: Both Governments may denounce this Agreement using a diplomatic channel, through a written communication which will be effective within ninety (90) days. 

 

2. Convenio de Reconocimiento Mutuo de Certificados de Estudios,Títulos y Grados Academicos de Educacion Superior (Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Certificates, Titles and Academic Degrees)

DATE: February 18, 1994

MEMBERS: Argentina and Ecuador

Summary of Provisions

Objective:
Article I:
The Parties will recognize and make valid university certificates, titles and academic degrees granted by institutions and universities officially recognized by the educational systems of both States, through the respective official entities, which are: The Ministry of Culture and Education for the Argentine Republic and the universities and polytechnic schools for the Republic of Ecuador, with the National Council of Universities and Polytechnic Schools (CONUEP) certificating their legal existence.

Definition:
Article II:
For the purposes of this Agreement Recognition means the official validation granted by one of the Parties to university studies undertaken in institutions belonging to the national education system of the other State, accredited by certificates, titles or academic degrees.

Technical Commission:
Article I:
A Bilateral Technical Commission will be constituted with the purpose to elaborate a table of equivalences, meeting whenever necessary to accomplish the objective of this Agreement. The necessary actions to achieve this Agreement’s objective will be coordinated by the CONUEP in the Case of Ecuador and the Ministry of Culture and Education for the Republic of Ecuador.

Article VI: The Bilateral Technical Commission mentioned in Article I will meet for the first time within ninety (90) days following the date of the exchange of ratification instruments.

Professional Practice:
Article IV:
The Parties will promote, through each country’s agencies, the obtainment of the right to professional practice to whom a recognized title is accredited, with no harm to the application of the regulations imposed by each country on their nationals, according to the current legal standards for each profession.

Transparency:
Article VII:
The Parties must keep each other informed about any changes in the educational system, in special about the granting of certificates, titles and academic degrees. When considered necessary, the Parties may summon the Bilateral Technical Commission.

Article VIII: In the case of modifications to the laws regulating the education systems in the Republic of Argentina and in the Republic of Ecuador, regarding titles or academic degrees recognized by each State, the Parties must inform each other through diplomatic channels.

Article IX: The provisions of this Agreement will prevail over any other agreements between the Parties, which are still current at the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

Entry into Force:
Article XI:
This Agreement will be subject to the approval of each country’s legal regime and will enter into force when the corresponding instruments of ratification are exchanged.

Duration and Denouncement:
Article XII:
This Agreement will have a duration of five (5) years and will be automatically renewed for equal periods. The Agreement may be denounced by one of the Parties through written notification using a diplomatic channel. The denouncement will be effective one year after the respective notification has been written.

 

3. Convenio de Reconocimiento Mutuo de Certificados,Títulos y Grados Academicos de Educacion Primaria, Media y Superior (Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Certificates, Title and Academic Degrees of Primary, Intermediate, and Higher Education)

DATE: December 3, 1992

MEMBERS: Argentina and Colombia

Summary of Provisions

Objective:
Article I:
The Parties will recognize and make valid certificates for studies at primary and intermediate education levels, titles and academic degrees for higher education granted by institutions and universities officially recognized by the educational systems of both States, through the respective official entities, which are: 

  • the Ministry of Culture and Education for the Argentine Republic and 
  • for the Republic of Colombia, the Ministry of National Education for the primary and intermediate education levels, and the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education.

Definition:
Article II:
For the purposes of this Agreement Recognition means the official validation granted by one of the Parties to studies undertaken in institutions belonging to the national education system of the other State, accredited by: certificates, titles or academic degrees.

Technical Commission:
Article I:
A Bilateral Technical Commission will be constituted with the purpose to elaborate a table of equivalences and accreditations, meeting whenever necessary to accomplish the objective of this Agreement.

The Commission will meet for the first time within ninety (90) days following the date of the exchange of ratification instruments.

Professional Practice:
Article III:
The Parties will promote, through each country’s agencies, the obtainment of the right to professional practice to whom a recognized title is accredited, with no harm to the application of the regulations imposed by each country on their nationals, according to the current legal standards for each profession.

Transparency:
Article V: The Parties must keep each other informed about any changes in the educational system, in special about the granting of certificates of education, titles and academic degrees. When considered necessary, the Parties may summon the Bilateral Technical Commission.

Article VI: In the case of modifications to the laws regulating the education systems in the Republic of Argentina and in the Republic of Colombia, regarding titles or academic degrees recognized by each State, the Parties must inform each other through diplomatic channels.

Article VII: The provisions of this Agreement will prevail over any other agreements between the Parties, which are still current at the date of entry into force of this Agreement.

Entry into Force:
Article IX:
This Agreement will be subject to the approval of each country’s legal regime and will enter into force when the corresponding instruments of ratification are exchanged.

Duration and Denouncement:
Article X:
This Agreement will have a duration of five (5) years and will be automatically renewed for equal periods. The Agreement may be denounced by one of the Parties through written notification using a diplomatic channel. The denouncement will be effective one year after the respective notification has been written.

 

4. Protocolo Adicional sobre Reconocimiento de Estudios (Additional Protocol on the Recognition of Studies)

DATE: October 30, 1992

MEMBERS: Argentina and Paraguay

Summary of Provisions

Objective: Both Governments will recognize the studies undertaken in Primary or Basic and Intermediate Education, and will validate their accrediting Certificates, granted by institutes that are recognized by the official educational systems of both States, in the same conditions that are established by each country to the current or graduating students of these institutes. Such Recognition will take place according to the Table of Equivalences.

Commission of Experts:
Article IV:
Regarding the studies of higher level education, university or non-university, the Parties agree to create a Bilateral Commission of Experts with the purpose to initiate the studies for the elaboration of a system of recognition of such studies, taking into account the current agreements and legal provisions between the two countries up to this date.

Transparency:
Article V:
The two Parties must keep each other mutually informed about any class of change in the educational system, specially regarding the granting of certificates of education, titles and academic degrees. When considered necessary, the Parties may summon the Bilateral Technical Commission to consider common interest questions related to the educational issues.

Entry into Force and Denouncement:
Article VI:
This Agreement will enter into force when the last notification in which the Parties reciprocally communicate the observation of all internal requirements for the approval of the international treaties is made, and will rule while the Paraguayan-Argentine Cultural Agreement of 1967 is in effect, unless one of the Parties denounce this agreement through diplomatic channels, given a written communication. The denouncement will be effective ninety (90) days after the notification has been made.

 

5. Protocolo Adicional sobre Reconocimiento de Estudios Cursados en Educación Primaria o Básica y Media y de los Certificados que los Acrediten (Agreement on the Recognition of Studies undertaken at the Basic or Primary and Intermediate Education Level, and of their corresponding Certificates)

DATE: July 31, 1992

MEMBERS: Argentina and Chile

Summary of Provisions

Objective: Both Governments will recognize and validate the studies undertaken in Primary or Basic and Intermediate Education, and will validate their accrediting Certificates, granted by institutes that are recognized by the official educational systems of both States, in the same conditions that are established by each country to the current or graduating students of these institutes. Such Recognition will take place according to the Table of Equivalences, figured as an annex and which is considered an integral part to this Agreement.

Technical Commission: A Bilateral Technical Commission will be constituted with the purpose to consider the compatibility of curricula, profiles and competence areas in the technical-professional field within the basic and intermediate levels.

The courses of the primary or basic and intermediate levels carried incompletely in one of the countries, will be recognized in the other country with the purpose to allow for their continuity and completion . This recognition will be carried on the basis of the annexed table of equivalences, complemented by an additional table to be elaborated by the Bilateral Technical Commission. The table allows for the regularization of the distinct academic situations originating in the application of the evaluation and promotion regimes of both Governments.

The situations which are not resolved according to such tables of equivalences will be settled, in both countries, according to technical-pedagogic criteria. In case a solution is not reached using these criteria, the situation will be resolved appealing to the Bilateral Technical Commission, and as a last resort, to the diplomatic channel.

Commission of Experts: Regarding the studies of higher level education - university or non-university -, both governments agree to create a Bilateral Commission of Experts with the purpose to initiate the studies for the elaboration of a system of recognition of such studies.

Transparency: Both Governments must keep each other mutually informed, through diplomatic channels, about any class of change in the educational system, specially regarding the granting of certificates of education, titles and academic degrees. When considered necessary, the Governments may summon a new Bilateral Technical Commission .

Entry into Force and Denouncement: This Agreement will enter into force when the last notification in which the Governments reciprocally communicate the observation of all internal requirements for the approval of the international treaties is made, and will rule while the Chilean-Argentine Cultural Agreement of 1975 is in effect, unless one of the Parties denounce this agreement through diplomatic channels, given a written communication. The denouncement will be effective ninety (90) days after the notification has been made.

This Note from the Republic of Argentina with the Note from the Chilean Government accepting the proposed terms will constitute an Agreement between the two Governments.

 

6. Convenio sobre Mutuo Reconocimiento de Exámenes y Títulos Profesionales (Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Exams and professional Titles between Chile and Ecuador)

DATE: December 17, 1917; complemented by exchange of notes on May 6 and 18, 1987

MEMBERS: Chile and Ecuador

Summary of Provisions

Objective:
Article I:
The exams administered and the degrees legally obtained by Chileans and Ecuadorians, in scientific Colleges, Universities or Corporations of Ecuador will be valid in Chile; as well as the exams administered and degrees obtained by Chileans and Ecuadorians in Chile will be valid in Ecuador.

Article II: Therefore, the students of such Colleges, Universities or Corporations will not be subject to more requirements than to prove their nationality and personal identity, and the authenticity of the corresponding documents, such that the exams or degrees conferred in one of the countries may have a legal effect in the other.

Article III: The lawyers, doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, chemists, engineers and surveyors, architects and pedagogues, who are citizens of any of the two signatary countries, and holders of titles legally obtained in Chile, will be admitted to the free exercise of their profession in the territory of the Republic of Ecuador; and respectively, the Chilean or Ecuadorian citizens, holders of titles legally obtained in Ecuador, may make them valid in Chile with no other requirement than to prove their nationality, the title’s authenticity, legality, and the identity of the person, in conformity with the respective laws and regulations.

Article IV: The nationality must be proven with the respective passport, letter of origin or with a certificate issued by the Legation or Consulate of the Republic to which the interested individual pertains; the identity must be proven with a certificate of the Legation or Consulate; 

The authenticity of the documents in the customary way of legalization.

Article V: Observed the formalities, it will be granted to the interested person the rights and privileges inherent to the exams and degrees which he wishes to validate; or the authorization for the practice of his profession by the corporations, employees or Tribunals to which the laws of each country assigns the attribution to issue the respective titles, if concerns some of the professional titles listed in Article III of this Agreement.

Entry into Force:
Article VI:
This Agreement will enter into force on the date of the exchange of ratifications, replacing the Agreements of April 9, 1897 and of August 16, 1902, on mutual recognition of professional titles.

Duration and Termination:
Article VII:
This Agreement will be of infinite duration, unless any of the Parties notifies the other, with one year of anticipation, its wish to terminate the agreement.

 

7. Convención sobre Ejercicio de Profesiones Liberales (Convention on the Practice of Liberal Professions)

DATE: June 23, 1921

MEMBERS: Chile and Colombia

Summary of Provisions

Objective: This Convention regards the automatic recognition, for the professional practice, of any Colombian title in Chile and any Chilean title in Colombia.

Article 1: The Chileans in Colombia and the Colombians in Chile may practice freely the profession for which they are qualified by title or diploma, legally issued by the competent national authority.

Article 2: The certificates of intermediate, preparatory or higher level studies, issued to nationals by official establishments of education in any of the countries, will have in the other country the same effects that are recognized by the laws of the Republic from where they come.

Article 5: The diploma or certificate of studies pictured by the Ministry or Consul of the country where it was issued, will create the effects which are stipulated in this Convention, after being registered with the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

 

8. Convención sobre Ejercicio de Profesiones Liberales (Convention on the Practice of Liberal Professions)

DATE: November 17, 1916

MEMBERS: Chile and Uruguay

Summary of Provisions

Objective: This Convention regards the automatic professional exercise of any Uruguayan title in Chile or Chilean in Uruguay, by nationals of both countries, whenever the Uruguayan or Chilean citizenship is not required by law for this exercise.

Article 1: The citizens of any of the Signatary Republics may freely practice, in the territory of the other, the profession for which they are qualified by diploma or title issued by the competent national authority, as long as for this practice the Uruguayan or Chilean citizenship is not required.

The certificates of secondary, preparatory or higher level studies in any of the countries, issued by official training and teaching centers, in favor of the national of one Party, will create the same effects that are attributed to them by Law in the Republic where they come from.

Article 4: The authenticated diploma or certificate and the certificate of the person’s identity going through the diplomatic or consular agent of the Nation where they were issued, will create the effects which are stipulated in this Convention, after being registered with the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

 

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