2. člen MKPVKE

Besedilo konvencije se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in v prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi: The Parties to this Convention, Conscious of the fact that the right to education is a human right, and that higher education, which is instrumental in the pursuit and advancement of knowledge, constitutes an exceptionally rich cultural and scientific asset for both individuals and society; Considering that higher education should play a vital role in promoting peace, mutual understanding and tolerance, and in creating mutual confidence among peoples and nations; Considering that the great diversity of education systems in the European region reflects its cultural, social, political, philosophical, religious and economic diversity, an exceptional asset which should be fully respected; Desiring to enable all people of the region to benefit fully from this rich asset of diversity by facilitating access by the inhabitants of each State and by the students of each Party’s educational institutions to the educational resources of the other Parties, more specifically by facilitating their efforts to continue their education or to complete a period of studies in higher education institutions in those other Parties; Considering that the recognition of studies, certificates, diplomas and degrees obtained in another country of the European region represents an important measure for promoting academic mobility between the Parties; Attaching great importance to the principle of institutional autonomy, and conscious of the need to uphold and protect this principle; Convinced that a fair recognition of qualifications is a key element of the right to education and a responsibility of society; Having regard to the Council of Europe and UNESCO Conventions covering academic recognition in Europe: European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas leading to Admission to Universities (1953, ETS No. 15), and its Protocol (1964, ETS No. 49); European Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of University Study (1956, ETS No. 21); European Convention on the Academic Recognition of University Qualifications (1959, ETS No. 32); Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the European Region (1979); European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University Study (1990, ETS No. 138); Having regard also to the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean (1976), adopted within the framework of UNESCO and partially covering academic recognition in Europe; Mindful that this Convention should also be considered in the context of the UNESCO conventions and the International Recommendation covering other Regions of the world, and of the need for an improved exchange of information between these Regions; Conscious of the wide ranging changes in higher education in the European region since these Conventions were adopted, resulting in considerably increased diversification within and between national higher education systems, and of the need to adapt the legal instruments and practice to reflect these developments; Conscious of the need to find common solutions to practical recognition problems in the European region; Conscious of the need to improve current recognition practice and to make it more transparent and better adapted to the current situation of higher education in the European region; Confident of the positive significance of a Convention elaborated and adopted under the joint auspices of the Council of Europe and UNESCO providing a framework for the further development of recognition practices in the European region; Conscious of the importance of providing permanent implementation mechanisms in order to put the principles and provisions of the current Convention into practice, Have agreed as follows: For the purposes of this Convention, the following terms shall have the following meaning: Access (to higher education) The right of qualified candidates to apply and to be considered for admission to higher education. Admission (to higher education institutions and programmes) The act of, or system for, allowing qualified applicants to pursue studies in higher education at a given institution and/or a given programme. Assessment (of institutions or programmes) The process for establishing the educational quality of a higher education institution or programme. Assessment (of individual qualifications) The written appraisal or evaluation of an individual’s foreign qualifications by a competent body. Competent recognition authority A body officially charged with making binding decisions on the recognition of foreign qualifications. Higher education All types of courses of study, or sets of courses of study, training or training for research at the post secondary level which are recognized by the relevant authorities of a Party as belonging to its higher education system. Higher education institution An establishment providing higher education and recognized by the competent authority of a Party as belonging to its system of higher education. Higher education programme A course of study recognized by the competent authority of a Party as belonging to its system of higher education, and the completion of which provides the student with a higher education qualification. Period of study Any component of a higher education programme which has been evaluated and documented and, while not a complete programme of study in itself, represents a significant acquisition of knowledge or skill. Qualification A. Higher education qualification Any degree, diploma or other certificate issued by a competent authority attesting the successful completion of a higher education programme. B. Qualification giving access to higher education Any diploma or other certificate issued by a competent authority attesting the successful completion of an education programme and giving the holder of the qualification the right to be considered for admission to higher education (cf. the definition of access). Recognition A formal acknowledgement by a competent authority of the value of a foreign educational qualification with a view to access to educational and/or employment activities. Requirement A. General requirements Conditions that must in all cases be fulfilled for access to higher education, or to a given level thereof, or for the award of a higher education qualification at a given level. B. Specific requirements Conditions that must be fulfilled, in addition to the general requirements, in order to gain admission to a particular higher education programme, or for the award of a specific higher education qualification in a particular field of study. 1. Where central authorities of a Party are competent to make decisions in recognition cases, that Party shall be immediately bound by the provisions of this Convention and shall take the necessary measures to ensure the implementation of its provisions on its territory. Where the competence to make decisions in recognition matters lies with components of the Party, the Party shall furnish one of the depositories with a brief statement of its constitutional situation or structure at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or any time thereafter. In such cases, the competent authorities of the components of the Parties so designated shall take the necessary measures to ensure implementation of the provisions of this Convention on their territory. 2. Where the competence to make decisions in recognition matters lies with individual higher education institutions or other entities, each Party according to its constitutional situation or structure shall transmit the text of this convention to these institutions or entities and shall take all possible steps to encourage the favourable consideration and application of its provisions. 3. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the obligations of the Parties under subsequent articles of this Convention. At the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or at any time thereafter, each State, the Holy See or the European Community shall inform either depository of the present Convention of the authorities which are competent to make different categories of decisions in recognition cases. Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to derogate from any more favourable provisions concerning the recognition of qualifications issued in one of the Parties contained in or stemming from an existing or a future treaty to which a Party to this Convention may be or may become a party. 1. Holders of qualifications issued in one of the Parties shall have adequate access, upon request to the appropriate body, to an assessment of these qualifications. 2. No discrimination shall be made in this respect on any ground such as the applicant’s gender, race, colour, disability, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status, or on the grounds of any other circumstance not related to the merits of the qualification for which recognition is sought. In order to assure this right, each Party undertakes to make appropriate arrangements for the assessment of an application for recognition of qualifications solely on the basis of the knowledge and skills achieved. Each Party shall ensure that the procedures and criteria used in the assessment and recognition of qualifications are transparent, coherent and reliable. 1. Decisions on recognition shall be made on the basis of appropriate information on the qualifications for which recognition is sought. 2. In the first instance, the responsibility for providing adequate information rests with the applicant, who shall provide such information in good faith. 3. Notwithstanding the responsibility of the applicant, the institutions having issued the qualifications in question shall have a duty to provide, upon request of the applicant and within reasonable limits, relevant information to the holder of the qualification, to the institution, or to the competent authorities of the country in which recognition is sought. 4. The Parties shall instruct or encourage, as appropriate, all education institutions belonging to their education systems to comply with any reasonable request for information for the purpose of assessing qualifications earned at the said institutions. 5. The responsibility to demonstrate that an application does not fulfil the relevant requirements lies with the body undertaking the assessment. Each Party shall ensure, in order to facilitate the recognition of qualifications, that adequate and clear information on its education system is provided. Decisions on recognition shall be made within a reasonable time limit specified beforehand by the competent recognition authority and calculated from the time all necessary information in the case has been provided. If recognition is withheld, the reasons for the refusal to grant recognition shall be stated, and information shall be given concerning possible measures the applicant may take in order to obtain recognition at a later stage. If recognition is withheld, or if no decision is taken, the applicant shall be able to make an appeal within a reasonable time limit. Each Party shall recognize the qualifications issued by other Parties meeting the general requirements for access to higher education in those Parties for the purpose of access to programmes belonging to its higher education system, unless a substantial difference can be shown between the general requirements for access in the Party in which the qualification was obtained and in the Party in which recognition of the qualification is sought. Alternatively, it shall be sufficient for a Party to enable the holder of a qualification issued in one of the other Parties to obtain an assessment of that qualification, upon request by the holder, and the provisions of Article IV.1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to such a case. Where a qualification gives access only to specific types of institutions or programmes of higher education in the Party in which the qualification was obtained, each other Party shall grant holders of such qualifications access to similar specific programmes in institutions belonging to its higher education system, unless a substantial difference can be demonstrated between the requirements for access in the Party in which the qualification was obtained and the Party in which recognition of the qualification is sought. Where admission to particular higher education programmes is dependent on the fulfilment of specific requirements in addition to the general requirements for access, the competent authorities of the Party concerned may impose the additional requirements equally on holders of qualifications obtained in the other Parties or assess whether applicants with qualifications obtained in other Parties fulfil equivalent requirements. Where, in the Party in which they have been obtained, school leaving certificates give access to higher education only in combination with additional qualifying examinations as a prerequisite for access, the other Parties may make access conditional on these requirements or offer an alternative for satisfying such additional requirements within their own educational systems. Any State, the Holy See or the European Community may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or at any time thereafter, notify one of the depositories that it avails itself of the provisions of this Article, specifying the Parties in regard to which it intends to apply this Article as well as the reasons therefor. Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles IV.1, IV.2, IV.3, IV.4 and IV.5, admission to a given higher education institution, or to a given programme within such an institution, may be restricted or selective. In cases in which admission to a higher education institution and/or programme is selective, admission procedures should be designed with a view to ensuring that the assessment of foreign qualifications is carried out according to the principles of fairness and non-discrimination described in Section III. Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles IV.1, IV.2, IV.3, IV.4 and IV.5, admission to a given higher education institution may be made conditional on demonstration by the applicant of sufficient competence in the language or languages of instruction of the institution concerned, or in other specified languages. In the Parties in which access to higher education may be obtained on the basis of non-traditional qualifications, similar qualifications obtained in other Parties shall be assessed in a similar manner as non-traditional qualifications earned in the Party in which recognition is sought. For the purpose of admission to programmes of higher education, each Party may make the recognition of qualifications issued by foreign educational institutions operating in its territory contingent upon specific requirements of national legislation or specific agreements concluded with the Party of origin of such institutions. Each Party shall recognize periods of study completed within the framework of a higher education programme in another Party. This recognition shall comprise such periods of study towards the completion of a higher education programme in the Party in which recognition is sought, unless substantial differences can be shown between the periods of study completed in another Party and the part of the higher education programme which they would replace in the Party in which recognition is sought. Alternatively, it shall be sufficient for a Party to enable a person who has completed a period of study within the framework of a higher education programme in another Party to obtain an assessment of that period of study, upon request by the person concerned, and the provisions of Article V.1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to such a case. In particular, each Party shall facilitate recognition of periods of study when: a there has been a previous agreement between, on the one hand, the higher education institution or the competent authority responsible for the relevant period of study and, on the other hand, the higher education institution or the competent recognition authority responsible for the recognition that is sought; and b the higher education institution in which the period of study has been completed has issued a certificate or transcript of academic records attesting that the student has successfully completed the stipulated requirements for the said period of study. To the extent that a recognition decision is based on the knowledge and skills certified by the higher education qualification, each Party shall recognize the higher education qualifications conferred in another Party, unless a substantial difference can be shown between the qualification for which recognition is sought and the corresponding qualification in the Party in which recognition is sought. Alternatively, it shall be sufficient for a Party to enable the holder of a higher education qualification issued in one of the other Parties to obtain an assessment of that qualification, upon request by the holder, and the provisions of Article VI.1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to such a case. Recognition in a Party of a higher education qualification issued in another Party shall have one or both of the following consequences: a access to further higher education studies, including relevant examinations, and/or to preparations for the doctorate, on the same conditions as those applicable to holders of qualifications of the Party in which recognition is sought; b the use of an academic title, subject to the laws and regulations of the Party or a jurisdiction thereof, in which recognition is sought. In addition, recognition may facilitate access to the labour market subject to laws and regulations of the Party, or a jurisdiction thereof, in which recognition is sought. An assessment in a Party of a higher education qualification issued in another Party may take the form of: a advice for general employment purposes; b advice to an educational institution for the purpose of admission into its programmes; c advice to any other competent recognition authority. Each Party may make the recognition of higher education qualifications issued by foreign educational institutions operating in its territory contingent upon specific requirements of national legislation or specific agreements concluded with the Party of origin of such institutions. Each Party shall take all feasible and reasonable steps within the framework of its education system and in conformity with its constitutional, legal, and regulatory provisions to develop procedures designed to assess fairly and expeditiously whether refugees, displaced persons and persons in a refugee-like situation fulfil the relevant requirements for access to higher education, to further higher education programmes or to employment activities, even in cases in which the qualifications obtained in one of the Parties cannot be proven through documentary evidence. Each Party shall provide adequate information on any institution belonging to its higher education system, and on any programme operated by these institutions, with a view to enabling the competent authorities of other Parties to ascertain whether the quality of the qualifications issued by these institutions justifies recognition in the Party in which recognition is sought. Such information shall take the following form: a in the case of Parties having established a system of formal assessment of higher education institutions and programmes: information on the methods and results of this assessment, and of the standards of quality specific to each type of higher education institution granting, and to programmes leading to, higher education qualifications; b in the case of Parties which have not established a system of formal assessment of higher education institutions and programmes: information on the recognition of the various qualifications obtained at any higher education institution, or within any higher education programme, belonging to their higher education systems. Each Party shall make adequate provisions for the development, maintenance and provision of: a an overview of the different types of higher education institutions belonging to its higher education system, with the typical characteristics of each type of institution; b a list of recognized institutions (public and private) belonging to its higher education system, indicating their powers to award different types of qualifications and the requirements for gaining access to each type of institution and programme; c a description of higher education programmes; d a list of educational institutions located outside its territory which the Party considers as belonging to its education system. In order to facilitate the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education, the Parties undertake to establish transparent systems for the complete description of the qualifications obtained. 1. Acknowledging the need for relevant, accurate and up-to-date information, each Party shall establish or maintain a national information centre and shall notify one of the depositories of its establishment, or of any changes affecting it. 2. In each Party, the national information centre shall: a facilitate access to authoritative and accurate information on the higher education system and qualifications of the country in which it is located; b facilitate access to information on the higher education systems and qualifications of the other Parties; c give advice or information on recognition matters and assessment of qualifications, in accordance with national laws and regulations. 3. Every national information centre shall have at its disposal the necessary means to enable it to fulfil its functions. The Parties shall promote, through the national information centres or otherwise, the use of the UNESCO/Council of Europe Diploma Supplement or any other comparable document by the higher education institutions of the Parties. The following bodies shall oversee, promote and facilitate the implementation of the Convention: a the Committee of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region; b the European Network of National Information Centres on academic mobility and recognition (the ENIC Network), established by decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 9 June 1994 and the UNESCO Regional Committee for Europe on 18 June 1994. 1. The Committee of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (hereafter referred to as “the Committee“) is hereby established. It shall be composed of one representative of each Party. 2. For the purposes of Article X.2, the term “Party“ shall not apply to the European Community. 3. The States mentioned in Article XI.1.1 and the Holy See, if they are not Parties to this Convention, the European Community and the President of the ENIC Network may participate in the meetings of the Committee as observers. Representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the field of recognition in the Region may also be invited to attend meetings of the Committee as observers. 4. The President of the UNESCO Regional Committee for the Application of the Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region shall also be invited to participate in the meetings of the Committee as an observer. 5. The Committee shall promote the application of this Convention and shall oversee its implementation. To this end it may adopt, by a majority of the Parties, recommendations, declarations, protocols and models of good practice to guide the competent authorities of the Parties in their implementation of the Convention and in their consideration of applications for the recognition of higher education qualifications. While they shall not be bound by such texts, the Parties shall use their best endeavours to apply them, to bring the texts to the attention of the competent authorities and to encourage their application.The Committee shall seek the opinion of the ENIC Network before making its decisions. 6. The Committee shall report to the relevant bodies of the Council of Europe and UNESCO. 7. The Committee shall maintain links to the UNESCO Regional Committees for the Application of Conventions on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education adopted under the auspices of UNESCO. 8. A majority of the Parties shall constitute a quorum. 9. The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure. It shall meet in ordinary session at least every three years. The Committee shall meet for the first time within a year of the entry into force of this Convention. 10. The Secretariat of the Committee shall be entrusted jointly to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and to the Director-General of UNESCO. 1. Each Party shall appoint as a member of the European network of national information centres on academic mobility and recognition (the ENIC Network) the national information centre established or maintained under Article IX.2. In cases in which more than one national information centre is established or maintained in a Party under Article IX.2, all these shall be members of the Network, but the national information centres concerned shall dispose of only one vote. 2. The ENIC Network shall, in its composition restricted to national information centres of the Parties to this Convention, uphold and assist the practical implementation of the Convention by the competent national authorities. The Network shall meet at least once a year in plenary session. It shall elect its President and Bureau in accordance with its terms of reference. 3. The Secretariat of the ENIC Network shall be entrusted jointly to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and to the Director-General of UNESCO. 4. The Parties shall cooperate, through the ENIC Network, with the national information centres of other Parties, especially by enabling them to collect all information of use to the national information centres in their activities relating to academic recognition and mobility. 1. This Convention shall be open for signature by: a the member States of the Council of Europe; b the member States of the UNESCO Europe Region; c any other signatory, contracting State or party to the European Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe and/or to the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region, which have been invited to the Diplomatic Conference entrusted with the adoption of this Convention. 2. These States and the Holy See may express their consent to be bound by: a signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval; or b signature, subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval; or c accession. 3. Signatures shall be made with one of the depositories. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with one of the depositories. This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of the period of one month after five States, including at least three member States of the Council of Europe and/or the UNESCO Europe Region, have expressed their consent to be bound by the Convention. It shall enter into force for each other State on the first day of the month following the expiration of the period of one month after the date of expression of its consent to be bound by the Convention. 1. After the entry into force of this Convention, any State other than those falling into one of the categories listed under Article XI.1 may request accession to this Convention. Any request to this effect shall be addressed to one of the depositories, who shall transmit it to the Parties at least three months before the meeting of the Committee of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region. The depository shall also inform the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Executive Board of UNESCO. 2. The decision to invite a State which so requests to accede to this Convention shall be taken by a two-thirds majority of the Parties. 3. After the entry into force of this Convention the European Community may accede to it following a request by its member States, which shall be addressed to one of the depositories. In this case, Article XI.3.2 shall not apply. 4. In respect of any acceding States or the European Community, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of the period of one month after the deposit of the instrument of accession with one of the depositories. 1. Parties to this Convention which are at the same time parties to one or more of the following Conventions: European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas leading to Admission to Universities (1953, ETS No. 15), and its Protocol (1964, ETS No. 49); European Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of University Study (1956, ETS No. 21); European Convention on the Academic Recognition of University Qualifications (1959, ETS No. 32); International Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean (1976); Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the European Region (1979); European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University Study (1990, ETS No. 138); a shall apply the provisions of the present Convention in their mutual relations; b shall continue to apply the above mentioned Conventions to which they are a party in their relations with other States party to those Conventions but not to the present Convention. 2. The Parties to this Convention undertake to abstain from becoming a party to any of the Conventions mentioned in paragraph 1, to which they are not already a party, with the exception of the International Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean. 1. Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply. 2. Any State may, at any later date, by a declaration addressed to one of the depositories, extend the application of this Convention to any other territory specified in the declaration. In respect of such territory the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of one month after the date of receipt of such declaration by the depository. 3. Any declaration made under the two preceding paragraphs may, in respect of any territory specified in such declaration, be withdrawn by a notification addressed to one of the depositaries. The withdrawal shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of one month after the date of receipt of such notification by the depository. 1. Any Party may, at any time, denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressed to one of the depositories. 2. Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of twelve months after the date of receipt of the notification by the depository. However, such denunciation shall not affect recognition decisions taken previously under the provisions of this Convention. 3. Termination or suspension of the operation of this Convention as a consequence of a violation by a Party of a provision essential to the accomplishment of the object or purpose of this Convention shall be addressed in accordance with international law. 1. Any State, the Holy See or the European Community may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval or accession, declare that it reserves the right not to apply, in whole or in part, one or more of the following Articles of this Convention: Article IV.8 Article V.3 Article VI.3 Article VIII.2 Article IX.3 No other reservation may be made. 2. Any Party which has made a reservation under the preceding paragraph may wholly or partly withdraw it by means of a notification addressed to one of the depositories. The withdrawal shall take effect on the date of receipt of such notification by the depository. 3. A Party which has made a reservation in respect of a provision of this Convention may not claim the application of that provision by any other Party; it may, however, if its reservation is partial or conditional, claim the application of that provision in so far as it has itself accepted it. 1. Draft amendments to this Convention may be adopted by the Committee of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region by a two-thirds majority of the Parties. Any draft amendment so adopted shall be incorporated into a Protocol to this Convention. The Protocol shall specify the modalities for its entry into force which, in any event, shall require the expression of consent by the Parties to be bound by it. 2. No amendment may be made to Section III of this Convention under the procedure of paragraph 1 above. 3. Any proposal for amendments shall be communicated to one of the depositaries, who shall transmit it to the Parties at least three months before the meeting of the Committee. The depository shall also inform the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and the Executive Board of UNESCO. 1. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization shall be the depositories of this Convention. 2. The depository with whom an act, notification or communication has been deposited shall notify the Parties to this Convention, as well as the other member States of the Council of Europe and/or of the UNESCO Europe Region of: a any signature; b the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession; c any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with the provisions of Articles XI.2 and XI.3.4; d any reservation made in pursuance of the provisions of Article XI.7 and the withdrawal of any reservations made in pursuance of the provisions of Article XI.7; e any denunciation of this Convention in pursuance of Article XI.6; f any declarations made in accordance with the provisions of Article II.1, or of Article II.2; g any declarations made in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.5; h any request for accession made in accordance with the provisions of Article XI.3; i any proposal made in accordance with the provisions of Article XI.8; j any other act, notification or communication relating to this Convention. 3. The depository receiving a communication or making a notification in pursuance of the provisions of this Convention shall immediately inform the other depository thereof. In witness thereof the undersigned representatives, being duly authorized, have signed this Convention. Done at Lisbon on 11 April 1997, in the English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, the four texts being equally authoritative, in two copies, one of which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe and the other in the archives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. A certified copy shall be sent to all the States referred to in Article XI.1, to the Holy See and to the European Community and to the Secretariat of the United Nations. Pogodbenice te konvencije se zavedajo, da je pravica do izobraževanja človekova pravica in da visokošolsko izobraževanje zelo pripomore k pridobivanju in razvijanju znanja ter pomeni izjemno bogato kulturno in znanstveno pridobitev za posameznika in družbo; upoštevajo, da bi moralo imeti visoko šolstvo življenjsko pomembno vlogo pri uveljavljanju miru, medsebojnem razumevanju in strpnosti ter pri ustvarjanju zaupanja med ljudstvi in narodi; upoštevajo, da velika različnost izobraževalnih sistemov v evropski regiji kaže njeno kulturno, družbeno, politično, filozofsko in gospodarsko raznolikost in pomeni izjemno bogastvo, ki bi ga bilo treba v celoti spoštovati; si želijo vsem ljudem v regiji omogočiti, da to bogastvo v celoti izrabijo, zato prebivalcem vsake države in študentom izobraževalnih zavodov pogodbenice omogočajo dostop do izobraževanja v drugih državah, zlasti tako, da jim na visokošolskih zavodih drugih pogodbenic olajšajo nadaljevanje izobraževanja ali končanje študijskega obdobja; upoštevajo, da je priznavanje študija, spričeval, diplom in stopenj, pridobljenih v drugih državah evropske regije, pomembno za pospeševanje akademske mobilnosti med pogodbenicami; pripisujejo velik pomen načelu institucionalne avtonomije in se zavedajo, da ga je treba podpirati in varovati; so prepričane, da je pravično priznavanje kvalifikacij temelj za uresničevanje pravice do izobraževanja in je odgovornost družbe; upoštevajo konvencije Sveta Evrope in Unesca o akademskem priznavanju v Evropi: Evropsko konvencijo o ekvivalentnosti diplom, ki omogočajo dostop na visokošolske ustanove (1953, ETS, št. 15), in njen protokol (1964, ETS, št. 49); Evropsko konvencijo o priznavanju dob visokošolskega študija (1956, ETS, št. 21); Evropsko konvencijo o akademskem priznavanju univerzitetnih kvalifikacij (1959, ETS, št. 32); Konvencijo o priznavanju visokošolskega študija in diplom v državah, ki pripadajo evropski regiji (1979); Evropsko konvencijo o splošni ekvivalenci univerzitetnih študijskih obdobij (1990, ETS, št. 138); upoštevajo tudi Konvencijo o priznavanju visokošolskega študija, diplom in stopenj v arabskih in evropskih mediteranskih državah (1976), sprejeto v Unescu, v kateri je delno urejeno akademsko priznavanje v Evropi; menijo, da bi morali to konvencijo upoštevati tudi v povezavi z Unescovimi konvencijami in mednarodnimi priporočili, ki se nanašajo na druge regije po svetu, zato da bi se izboljšalo izmenjavanje informacij med njimi; se zavedajo obširnih sprememb v visokem šolstvu v evropski regiji, ki so po sprejetju konvencij povzročile večjo različnost v nacionalnih sistemih visokega šolstva in med njimi, in potrebe po prilagajanju pravnih instrumentov in prakse tako, da bodo upoštevali ta razvoj; se zavedajo, da je treba poiskati skupna pravila za reševanje konkretnih problemov pri priznavanju v evropski regiji; se zavedajo, da je treba izboljšati sedanjo prakso pri priznavanju, jo narediti razvidnejšo in bolj prilagojeno sedanjemu položaju visokega šolstva v evropski regiji; verjamejo v pozitiven pomen konvencije, pripravljene in sprejete pod skupnim pokroviteljstvom Sveta Evrope in Unesca, ki bo zagotavljala okvir za nadaljnji razvoj priznavanja v evropski regiji; se zavedajo, da je za uresničevanje načel in določb te konvencije v praksi pomembno zagotoviti stalne izvedbene predpise; zato so sklenile: V tej konvenciji izrazi pomenijo: Dostop (do visokošolskega izobraževanja) Pravica kandidatov, ki izpolnjujejo pogoje za vpis v visoko šolstvo, da se prijavijo in se njihova prijava upošteva. Sprejem (na visokošolske zavode in v študijske programe) Dejanje ali postopek, ki kandidatom z izpolnjenimi pogoji dovoljuje, da študirajo na visokošolskem zavodu in/ali po študijskem programu. Ocenjevanje (zavodov ali študijskih programov) Ugotavljanje kakovosti izobraževanja na nekem visokošolskem zavodu ali po študijskem programu. Ocenjevanje (posameznih kvalifikacij) Pisna ocenitev ali ovrednotenje posameznikove tuje kvalifikacije pri pristojnem organu. Pristojni organ za priznavanje Organ, pristojen za sprejemanje obvezujočih odločitev o priznavanju tujih kvalifikacij. Visoko šolstvo Vse vrste posekundarnih študijskih programov ali njihovih skupin, usposabljanja ali usposabljanja za raziskovanje, za katere pristojni organi pogodbenic priznavajo, da spadajo v njihove visokošolske sisteme. Visokošolski zavod Zavod, na katerem je omogočeno visokošolsko izobraževanje in ga pristojni organi pogodbenice priznavajo kot zavod, ki spada v njihov visokošolski sistem. Študijski program Študijski program, za katerega pristojni organi pogodbenice priznavajo, da spada v njihov visokošolski sistem; po končanem programu dobi študent visokošolsko kvalifikacijo. Študijsko obdobje Katera koli ocenjena ali dokumentirana sestavina študijskega programa, po kateri si je mogoče pridobiti pomembno znanje ali spretnost, čeprav še ni celoten študijski program. Kvalifikacija A. Visokošolska kvalifikacija Vsaka diploma ali spričevalo, ki ga izda pristojni organ in potrjuje uspešno končan študijski program. B. Kvalifikacija, ki omogoča dostop do visokega šolstva Vsaka diploma ali spričevalo, ki ga izda pristojni organ in potrjuje uspešno končan izobraževalni program ter daje imetniku pravico, da ga upoštevajo pri sprejemanju v visoko šolstvo (glej opredelitev pojma dostop). Priznavanje Formalno priznavanje tuje izobrazbene kvalifikacije, ki ga zaradi nadaljevanja izobraževanja in/ali zaposlitve opravi pristojni organ. Pogoji A. Splošni pogoji Pogoji, ki jih je v vseh primerih treba izpolniti za sprejem v visokošolsko izobraževanje ali njegovo stopnjo ali za podelitev ene od visokošolskih kvalifikacij. B. Posebni pogoji Pogoji, ki jih je treba poleg splošnih izpolniti za sprejem v posamezni študijski program ali za podelitev posebne visokošolske kvalifikacije na določenem študijskem področju. 1. Če so za odločanje o priznavanju pristojni državni organi pogodbenice, so določbe te konvencije zanjo takoj obvezujoče; takoj morajo storiti vse, kar je potrebno za uresničevanje teh določb na svojem ozemlju. Če so za odločanje o priznavanju pristojni sestavni deli pogodbenice, ta ob podpisu ali deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, potrditvi ali pristopu ali kadar koli kasneje enemu od depozitarjev predloži kratko izjavo o svoji ustavni ureditvi ali sestavi. V takih primerih pristojni organi sestavnih delov pogodbenic poskrbijo za uresničevanje določb te konvencije na svojem ozemlju. 2. Če so za odločanje o priznavanju pristojni posamezni visokošolski zavodi ali druge organizacije, jim vsaka pogodbenica v skladu s svojo ustavno ureditvijo ali sestavo pošlje besedilo te konvencije in naredi vse, kar je mogoče, da bi spodbudila upoštevanje in uporabo njenih določb. 3. Določbe prvega in drugega odstavka tega člena se mutatis mutandis nanašajo na obveznosti pogodbenic iz naslednjih členov te konvencije. Ob podpisu ali deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, potrditvi ali pristopu ali kadar koli kasneje vsaka država, Sveti sedež ali Evropska skupnost obvesti enega od depozitarjev te konvencije o organih, pristojnih za sprejemanje različnih sklepov o priznavanju. Nič v tej konvenciji ne sme preprečevati uresničevanja ugodnejših določb o priznavanju kvalifikacij, ki jih je sprejela ena od pogodbenic in so vsebovana ali temeljijo na veljavnih pogodbah ali tistih, h katerim je ali bi lahko pristopila pogodbenica te konvencije. 1. Na zahtevo, vloženo pristojnemu organu, mora biti imetnikom kvalifikacij, izdanih v eni od pogodbenic, omogočeno, da si pridobijo njihovo oceno. 2. V zvezi s tem ne sme biti nikakršne diskriminacije niti zaradi vlagateljevega spola, rase, barve, invalidnosti, jezika, vere, političnega ali drugega prepričanja, nacionalnega, etničnega ali družbenega porekla, pripadnosti narodni manjšini, premoženja, rojstva ali česa drugega niti zaradi kakih drugih okoliščin, ki niso povezane s kvalifikacijo, za katero se prosi za priznanje. Zato da bi vse pogodbenice to pravico uveljavile, se obvezujejo, da bodo pri ocenjevanju vlog za priznavanje kvalifikacij ukrepale le glede na pridobljeno znanje in spretnosti. Vsaka pogodbenica mora zagotoviti, da bodo postopki in merila za ocenjevanje in priznavanje kvalifikacij pregledni, koherentni in zanesljivi. 1. Odločitve o priznavanju se sprejemajo ob upoštevanju ustreznih informacij o kvalifikacijah, za katere se prosi za priznanje. 2. Za ustrezne informacije je odgovoren predvsem prosilec; zagotoviti jih mora v dobri veri. 3. Ne glede na odgovornost prosilca morajo zavodi, ki so podelili kvalifikacije, na zahtevo in v razumnih mejah dati ustrezne informacije imetniku kvalifikacije, ustanovi ali pristojnim organom države, v kateri se prosi za priznanje. 4. Pogodbenice morajo vsem izobraževalnim zavodom iz svojega izobraževalnega sistema dati navodila ali jih spodbujati, kot je primerno, da ugodijo vsem razumnim zahtevam po informacijah za ocenjevanje pri njih pridobljenih kvalifikacij. 5. Organ, ki ocenjuje, je odgovoren za to, da dokaže, da vloga ni ustrezna. Zato da bi bilo priznavanje kvalifikacij olajšano, mora vsaka pogodbenica zagotoviti ustrezne in jasne informacije o svojem izobraževalnem sistemu. Odločitve o priznavanju morajo biti sprejete v razumnem roku, ki ga pristojni organ določi vnaprej; traja od trenutka, ko so zbrane vse potrebne informacije. Če se priznanje odkloni, je treba navesti razloge in prosilcu sporočiti, kaj lahko ukrene, da bi dobil priznanje kasneje. Če se priznanje odkloni ali ni sprejeta nobena odločitev, mora imeti prosilec možnost, da se v razumnem roku pritoži. Vsaka pogodbenica priznava kvalifikacije, ki jih podelijo druge pogodbenice in pomenijo izpolnjevanje splošnih pogojev za dostop do visokega šolstva v njihovih državah ali za sprejem v programe, ki spadajo v njen visokošolski sistem, razen če je mogoče prikazati bistveno razliko med splošnimi pogoji za dostop v pogodbenici, kjer je bila kvalifikacija pridobljena, in v pogodbenici, v kateri se prosi za njeno priznanje. Zadostuje tudi, da pogodbenica omogoči imetniku kvalifikacije, podeljene v eni od drugih pogodbenic, da si na zahtevo pridobi njeno oceno; v tem primeru se mutatis mutandis uporabljajo določbe člena IV.1. Kadar kvalifikacija omogoča dostop le do posebnih vrst visokošolskih zavodov ali programov v pogodbenici, v kateri je bila pridobljena, morajo vse druge pogodbenice imetniku takih kvalifikacij zagotoviti dostop do podobnih posebnih programov v zavodih, ki spadajo v njihov visokošolski sistem, razen če je mogoče prikazati bistveno razliko med pogoji za dostop v pogodbenici, v kateri je bila kvalifikacija pridobljena, in v tisti, v kateri se prosi za njeno priznanje. Kadar je treba za sprejem v študijski program poleg splošnih pogojev izpolnjevati posebne, jih lahko pristojni organi pogodbenice določijo imetnikom kvalifikacij iz drugih pogodbenic oziroma ocenijo, ali prosilci s kvalifikacijami, pridobljenimi v drugih pogodbenicah, izpolnjujejo enakovredne pogoje. Če končna spričevala v pogodbenici, v kateri so bila pridobljena, omogočajo dostop do visokošolskega izobraževanja samo v povezavi s sprejemnimi izpiti, ga lahko z njimi pogojujejo druge pogodbenice; v okviru svojega izobraževalnega sistema lahko ponudijo druge možnosti za izpolnitev takih pogojev. Vsaka država, Sveti sedež ali Evropska skupnost lahko ob podpisu ali deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, potrditvi ali pristopu ali kadar koli kasneje obvesti enega od depozitarjev, da bo uporabljala določbe tega člena, navede, pri katerih pogodbenicah ga namerava uveljaviti, in razloge za to. Ne glede na člene IV.1, IV.2, IV.3, IV.4 in IV.5 je mogoče sprejem na visokošolske zavode ali v določene programe na teh zavodih omejiti ali uvesti izbiranje. Če je sprejem na visokošolske zavode in/ali v programe izbiren, je treba sprejemne postopke zasnovati tako, da poteka ocenjevanje tujih kvalifikacij po načelih pravičnosti in nediskriminacije, opisanih v III. poglavju. Ne glede na člene IV.1, IV.2, IV.3, IV.4 in IV.5 je mogoče kot pogoj za sprejem na visokošolske zavode določiti, da mora prosilec dokazati zadovoljivo znanje jezika ali jezikov, v katerem na njih poučujejo, ali drugih jezikov, ki jih navedejo. V pogodbenicah, v katerih je mogoč dostop do visokega šolstva z netradicionalnimi kvalifikacijami, se podobne kvalifikacije, pridobljene v drugih pogodbenicah, ocenijo podobno kot netradicionalne kvalifikacije, pridobljene v pogodbenici, v kateri se prosi za priznanje. Za sprejem v študijske programe lahko vsaka pogodbenica določi, da se priznavanje kvalifikacij, ki jih na njenem ozemlju podeljujejo tuji izobraževalni zavodi, ureja po določbah notranje zakonodaje ali po posebnih sporazumih, sklenjenih z matično državo teh zavodov. Vsaka pogodbenica priznava študijska obdobja, končana v okviru študijskih programov v drugi pogodbenici. Tako priznana študijska obdobja se upoštevajo pri dokončanju študijskega programa v pogodbenici, v kateri se prosi za priznanje, razen če je mogoče dokazati bistvene razlike med študijskimi obdobji, opravljenimi v drugi pogodbenici, in delom študijskega programa, ki bi ga tako nadomestili v pogodbenici, v kateri se prosi za priznanje. Zadostuje tudi, da pogodbenica osebi, ki je opravila študijsko obdobje v okviru študijskega programa v drugi pogodbenici, omogoči, da prosi za njegovo oceno; v takem primeru se mutatis mutandis uporabljajo določbe člena V.1. Vsaka pogodbenica spodbuja priznavanje študijskih obdobij zlasti: a) če obstaja prejšnji sporazum med visokošolskim zavodom ali pristojnim organom, odgovornim za ustrezno študijsko obdobje, na eni strani, in visokošolskim zavodom ali pristojnim organom, odgovornim za zaprošeno priznanje, na drugi in b) če je visokošolski zavod, na katerem je bilo študijsko obdobje opravljeno, izdal spričevalo ali prepis ocen, s katerim se dokazuje, da je študent uspešno opravil vse predpisane obveznosti za to študijsko obdobje. Vsaka pogodbenica priznava visokošolske kvalifikacije, ki jih podeljuje druga pogodbenica, razen če je mogoče dokazati, da se znanje in spretnosti iz dokazila o visokošolski kvalifikaciji bistveno razlikujejo od tistih, pridobljenih v pogodbenici, v kateri se prosi za priznanje. Zadostuje tudi, da pogodbenica omogoči imetniku visokošolske kvalifikacije, podeljene v eni od drugih pogodbenic, da prosi za njeno oceno; v takem primeru se mutatis mutandis uporabljajo določbe člena VI.1. Če pogodbenica prizna visokošolske kvalifikacije, podeljene v drugi pogodbenici, to pomeni eno ali oboje od naslednjega: a) dostop do nadaljnjega visokošolskega študija skupaj z ustreznimi izpiti in/ali pripravami na doktorat pod enakimi pogoji, kot veljajo za imetnike kvalifikacij tiste pogodbenice, v kateri se prosi za priznanje; b) uporabo strokovnih in znanstvenih naslovov po zakonih in predpisih pogodbenice, v kateri se prosi za priznanje, ali na ozemljih v njeni pristojnosti. Poleg tega lahko priznanje olajša iskanje zaposlitve po zakonih in predpisih pogodbenice, v kateri se prosi za priznanje, ali na ozemljih v njeni pristojnosti. Pogodbenica lahko oceni visokošolske kvalifikacije, podeljene v drugi pogodbenici, v obliki: a) nasveta za zaposlovanje na splošno; b) nasveta izobraževalnemu zavodu za sprejem v njegove programe; c) nasveta kateremu koli organu, pristojnemu za priznavanje. Vsaka pogodbenica lahko določi, da se priznavanje visokošolskih kvalifikacij, ki jih na njenem ozemlju podeljujejo tuji izobraževalni zavodi, ureja po določbah notranje zakonodaje ali posebnih sporazumov, sklenjenih z matično državo teh zavodov. Vsaka pogodbenica ob upoštevanju svojega izobraževalnega sistema in ustavnih, zakonskih ter podzakonskih določb oblikuje take postopke, da lahko kar se da pravično in hitro oceni, ali begunci, osebe s podobnim položajem in razseljene osebe izpolnjujejo ustrezne pogoje za sprejem ali nadaljevanje izobraževanja v visokem šolstvu ali za zaposlitev, tudi če kvalifikacij, pridobljenih v eni od pogodbenic, ni mogoče dokazati z dokumenti. Vsaka pogodbenica zagotovi ustrezne informacije o vseh zavodih, ki spadajo v njen visokošolski sistem, in vseh študijskih programih, ki jih izvajajo, da bi omogočila pristojnim organom drugih pogodbenic ugotoviti, ali kakovost podeljenih kvalifikacij upravičuje priznanje, ki naj bi ga podelili. Informacije so: a) v pogodbenicah, ki uradno ocenjujejo visokošolske zavode in študijske programe: informacije o metodah in rezultatih tega ocenjevanja in standardih kakovosti, značilnih za posamezne vrste visokošolskih zavodov ali študijskih programov, na oziroma po katerih se pridobi visokošolska kvalifikacija; b) v pogodbenicah, ki uradno ne ocenjujejo visokošolskih zavodov in študijskih programov: informacije o priznavanju različnih kvalifikacij, pridobljenih na katerem koli visokošolskem zavodu ali po katerem koli študijskem programu, ki spada v njihov visokošolski sistem. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe za pripravljanje, vzdrževanje in objavljanje: a) pregleda različnih vrst visokošolskih zavodov, ki spadajo v njen visokošolski sistem, in njihovih značilnosti; b) seznama priznanih zavodov (javnih in zasebnih), ki spadajo v njen visokošolski sistem, njihovih pristojnosti za podeljevanje različnih kvalifikacij in pogojev za dostop do posameznih vrst zavodov in v študijske programe; c) opisa študijskih programov; d) seznama izobraževalnih zavodov zunaj njenega ozemlja, za katere pogodbenica šteje, da spadajo v njen izobraževalni sistem. Da bi olajšale priznavanje kvalifikacij, povezanih z visokim šolstvom, se pogodbenice obvezujejo, da bodo uvedle pregledna pravila za popoln opis pridobljenih kvalifikacij. 1. Vse pogodbenice se zavedajo, da so ustrezne, natančne in najnovejše informacije potrebne, zato ustanovijo ali vzdržujejo nacionalne informacijske centre in o njihovi ustanovitvi ali vseh spremembah, ki jih zadevajo, obvestijo enega od depozitarjev. 2. V vsaki pogodbenici nacionalni informacijski center: a) olajšuje pridobiti si veljavne in natančne informacije o svojem visokem šolstvu in kvalifikacijah v svoji državi; b) olajšuje pridobiti si informacije o visokem šolstvu in kvalifikacijah drugih pogodbenic; c) daje nasvete ali informacije o priznavanju in ocenjevanju kvalifikacij v skladu z notranjimi zakoni in predpisi. 3. Vsakemu nacionalnemu informacijskemu centru je treba zagotoviti sredstva za izpolnjevanje nalog. Prek nacionalnih informacijskih centrov ali drugače pogodbenice spodbujajo svoje visokošolske zavode k uporabi priloge k diplomi, kakršno predlagata Unesco in Svet Evrope, ali drugega podobnega dokumenta. Izvajanje konvencije nadzirata, spodbujata in olajšujeta: a) Odbor Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskih kvalifikacij v evropski regiji; b) Evropska mreža nacionalnih informacijskih centrov za akademsko priznavanje in mobilnost (mreža ENIC), ustanovljena s sklepoma Odbora ministrov Sveta Evrope 9. junija 1994 in Regionalnega odbora Unesca za Evropo 18. junija 1994. 1. Ustanovi se Odbor Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskih kvalifikacij v evropski regiji (v nadaljevanju: odbor). Sestavljajo ga po en predstavnik vsake pogodbenice. 2. V členu X.2 izraz “pogodbenica” ne velja za Evropsko skupnost. 3. Države, omenjene v prvem odstavku člena XI.1.1, in Sveti sedež – če niso pogodbenice te konvencije – Evropska skupnost in predsednik mreže ENIC lahko sodelujejo na sestankih odbora kot opazovalci. Kot opazovalci so lahko povabljeni tudi predstavniki vladnih in nevladnih organizacij, ki se ukvarjajo s priznavanjem v regiji. 4. Na sestanke odbora je kot opazovalec vabljen tudi predsednik Unescovega Regionalnega odbora za uporabo Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskega študija, diplom in stopenj v državah evropske regije. 5. Odbor spodbuja uporabo te konvencije in nadzoruje njeno izvajanje. Zato da bi pristojne organe pogodbenic vodil pri izvajanju konvencije in pri obravnavanju vlog za priznanje visokošolskih kvalifikacij, z večino glasov vseh pogodbenic sprejema priporočila, deklaracije, protokole in kodekse dobre prakse. Čeprav ta besedila za pogodbenice niso obvezujoča, se morajo kar najbolj potruditi, da jih predložijo pristojnim organom in spodbujajo njihovo uporabo. Odbor pred sprejetjem odločitev mrežo ENIC prosi za mnenje. 6. Odbor poroča ustreznim telesom Sveta Evrope in Unesca. 7. Odbor vzdržuje stike z regionalnimi Unescovimi odbori za uporabo konvencij o priznavanju visokošolskega študija, diplom in stopenj, sprejetih pod Unescovim pokroviteljstvom. 8. Za sklepčnost je potrebna večina vseh pogodbenic. 9. Odbor sprejme svoj poslovnik. Redne sestanke ima vsaj enkrat vsaka tri leta. Prvič se bo sešel v enem letu, po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije. 10. Tajništvo odbora se zaupa generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evrope in generalnemu direktorju Unesca. 1. Vsaka pogodbenica za člana Evropske mreže nacionalnih informacijskih centrov za akademsko mobilnost in priznavanje (mrežo ENIC) imenuje nacionalni informacijski center, ustanovljen ali vzdrževan v skladu s členom IX.2. Če pogodbenica v skladu s členom IX.2 ustanovi ali vzdržuje več nacionalnih informacijskih centrov, so vsi člani mreže, vendar imajo le en glas. 2. Mreža ENIC kot skupnost nacionalnih informacijskih centrov pogodbenic te konvencije podpira in pomaga pristojnim nacionalnim organom pri praktičnem izvajanju konvencije. Sestaja se vsaj enkrat letno na plenarnem zasedanju. V skladu s svojim mandatom izvoli predsednika in urad. 3. Tajništvo mreže ENIC se zaupa generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evrope in generalnemu direktorju Unesca. 4. Mreža ENIC pogodbenicam omogoča sodelovanje z nacionalnimi informacijskimi centri drugih pogodbenic; pomaga jim zlasti pri zbiranju vseh informacij, uporabnih pri delu nacionalnih informacijskih centrov v zvezi z akademskim priznavanjem in mobilnostjo. 1. Ta konvencija je na voljo za podpis: a) državam, članicam Sveta Evrope, b) državam, članicam evropske regije Unesca, c) vsem drugim državam podpisnicam, skleniteljicam ali pogodbenicam Evropske kulturne konvencije Sveta Evrope in/ali Unescove Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskega študija in diplom v državah, ki pripadajo evropski regiji, ki so bile povabljene na diplomatsko konferenco, na kateri naj bi bila sprejeta ta konvencija. 2. Naštete države in Sveti sedež se lahko obvežejo, da bodo uporabljale to konvencijo: a) s podpisom brez pridržka glede ratifikacije, sprejetja ali potrditve ali b) s podpisom, ki mu sledi ratifikacija, sprejetje ali potrditev, ali c) s pristopom. 3. Podpis je mogoč pri enem od depozitarjev. Listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, potrditvi ali pristopu se deponirajo pri enem od depozitarjev. Ta konvencija začne veljati prvi dan v mesecu po poteku enega meseca po tistem, ko se pet držav, med katerimi so vsaj tri države članice Sveta Evrope in/ali evropske regije Unesca, obveže, da bodo uporabljale to konvencijo. Za vse druge države začne veljati prvega dne v mesecu po poteku enega meseca po tistem, ko se država obveže, da bo uporabljala to konvencijo. 1. Potem ko ta konvencija začne veljati, lahko država, ki ne spada v nobeno skupino držav iz člena XI.1, zaprosi za pristop h konvenciji. Vse take zahteve je treba poslati enemu od depozitarjev; ta bo z njimi seznanil pogodbenice vsaj tri mesece pred sestankom Odbora Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskih kvalifikacij v evropski regiji. Depozitar obvesti tudi Odbor ministrov Sveta Evrope in Izvršilni odbor Unesca. 2. Odločitev o tem, da se država, ki za to prosi, povabi, da pristopi h konvenciji, se sprejme z dvotretjinsko večino glasov pogodbenic. 3. Evropska skupnost lahko, potem ko ta konvencija začne veljati, pristopi k njej na zahtevo njenih držav članic; pošljejo jo enemu od depozitarjev. V takem primeru drugi odstavek člena XI.3 ne velja. 4. Za države, ki pristopajo, ali Evropsko skupnost začne konvencija veljati prvi dan v mesecu, potem ko poteče en mesec po deponiranju listine o pristopu pri enem od depozitarjev. 1. Pogodbenice te konvencije, ki so že pogodbenice ene ali več od naslednjih konvencij: Evropske konvencije o ekvivalentnosti diplom, ki omogočajo dostop na visokošolske ustanove (1953, ETS, št.15), in njenega protokola (1964, ETS, št. 49); Evropske konvencije o priznavanju dob visokošolskega študija (1956, ETS, št. 21); Evropske konvencije o akademskem priznavanju univerzitetnih kvalifikacij (1959, ETS, št. 32); Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskega študija, diplom in stopenj v arabskih in evropskih mediteranskih državah (1976); Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskega študija in diplom v državah, ki pripadajo evropski regiji (1979); Evropske konvencije o splošni ekvivalenci univerzitetnih študijskih obdobij (1990, ETS, št. 138); a) bodo vzajemno uporabljale določbe te konvencije; b) bodo z drugimi državami, pogodbenicami prej omenjenih konvencij, ki niso pogodbenice te konvencije, še naprej vzajemno uporabljale konvencije, katerih pogodbenice so. 2. Pogodbenice te konvencije se obvezujejo, da ne bodo postale pogodbenice nobene od konvencij, omenjenih v prvem odstavku, h kateri še niso pristopile, razen Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskega študija, diplom in stopenj v arabskih in evropskih mediteranskih državah. 1. Vsaka država lahko ob podpisu ali deponiranju svoje listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, potrditvi ali pristopu določi ozemlje ali ozemlja, za katera velja ta konvencija. 2. Vsaka država lahko z izjavo, poslano enemu od depozitarjev, kadar koli pozneje razširi veljavnost te konvencije na katero koli ozemlje, navedeno v izjavi. Za to ozemlje začne konvencija veljati prvega dne v mesecu po poteku enega meseca po tistem, ko depozitar prejme izjavo. 3. Vsako izjavo, dano v skladu s prejšnjima odstavkoma, je mogoče v zvezi s katerim koli v njej določenim ozemljem umakniti z obvestilom enemu od depozitarjev. Umik začne veljati prvega dne v mesecu po poteku enega meseca po tistem, ko depozitar prejme obvestilo. 1. Vsaka pogodbenica lahko z obvestilom enemu od depozitarjev kadar koli odpove to konvencijo. 2. Odpoved začne veljati prvega dne v mesecu po poteku dvanajstih mesecev po tistem, ko depozitar prejme obvestilo o odpovedi. Vendar ta odpoved ne vpliva na veljavnost odločitev o priznavanju, ki so bile pred tem sprejete po določbah te konvencije. 3. Prenehanje ali začasna prekinitev izvajanja konvencije zato, ker bi neka stran prekršila določbe, bistvene za njeno uresničevanje, poteka v skladu z mednarodnim pravom. 1. Vsaka država, Sveti sedež ali Evropska skupnost lahko ob podpisu ali deponiranju listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali potrditvi ali pristopu izjavi, da si pridržuje pravico, da enega ali več izmed naštetih členov oziroma njihovih delov ne bo upoštevala: Člen IV.8 Člen V.3 Člen VI.3 Člen VIII.2 Člen IX.3 Nobeni drugi pridržki niso mogoči. 2. Vsaka pogodbenica, ki se je odločila za enega od naštetih pridržkov, ga lahko v celoti ali delno prekliče z obvestilom enemu od depozitarjev. Preklic začne veljati na dan, ko depozitar prejme obvestilo. 3. Pogodbenica, ki se je odločila za pridržek, povezan z določbami te konvencije, ne more zahtevati, da druga pogodbenica to določbo uporablja; če je njen pridržek delen ali pogojen, lahko zahteva izvajanje te določbe tako, kot jo je sama sprejela. 1. Odbor Konvencije o priznavanju visokošolskih kvalifikacij v evropski regiji lahko z dvotretjinsko večino glasov pogodbenic sprejema predloge sprememb te konvencije. Vse tako sprejete spremembe se vnesejo v protokol k tej konvenciji. S protokolom se določi način njihovega uveljavljanja; v vsakem primeru je potrebno soglasje pogodbenic, ki jih bodo obvezovale. 2. Po postopku iz prvega odstavka ni mogoče sprejeti sprememb III. poglavja te konvencije. 3. Vse predloge za spremembe je treba sporočiti enemu od depozitarjev; ta z njimi seznani pogodbenice vsaj tri mesece pred sestankom odbora. Depozitar obvesti tudi Odbor ministrov Sveta Evrope in Izvršilni odbor Unesca. 1. Depozitarja te konvencije sta generalni sekretar Sveta Evrope in generalni direktor Organizacije združenih narodov za izobraževanje, znanost in kulturo. 2. Depozitar, pri katerem se deponira akt, obvestilo ali sporočilo, obvešča pogodbenice te konvencije in druge države, članice Sveta Evrope in/ali evropske regije Unesca, o: a) vsakem podpisu, b) deponiranju vsake listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, potrditvi ali pristopu, c) vsakem datumu, ko ta konvencija v skladu z določbami členov XI.2 in četrtega odstavka člena XI.3 začne veljati, d) vsakem pridržku in umiku v zvezi z uporabo določb člena XI.7, e) vsaki odpovedi te konvencije v skladu s členom XI.6, f) vseh izjavah v skladu z določbami člena II.1 ali člena II.2, g) vseh izjavah v skladu z določbami člena IV.5, h) vsaki zahtevi za pristop v skladu z določbami člena XI.3, i) vsakem predlogu v skladu z določbami člena XI.8, j) vsakem drugem aktu, obvestilu ali sporočilu, povezanem s to konvencijo. 3. Depozitar, ki prejme sporočilo ali izda obvestilo po določbah te konvencije, s tem takoj seznani drugega depozitarja. Da bi to potrdili, so pravilno pooblaščeni predstavniki podpisali to konvencijo. Sestavljeno v Lizboni 11. aprila 1997 v angleškem, francoskem, ruskem in španskem jeziku, pri čemer so vsa štiri besedila enako verodostojna, v dveh izvodih, od katerih bo prvi deponiran v arhivu Sveta Evrope, drugi pa v arhivu Organizacije združenih narodov za izobraževanje, znanost in kulturo. Overjena kopija bo poslana vsem državam, omenjenim v členu XI.1, Svetemu sedežu, Evropski skupnosti in Sekretariatu Organizacije združenih narodov.