Declarations
Articles: 16,18,40
Ratification with similar declarations as made on the occasion of the signature.
Declarations made by the former Czechoslovakia:
(Translation)
The Socialist Republic of Czechoslovakia declares, with reference to Article 16 of the Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters, concluded at The Hague on 18 March 1970, that evidence may be taken in accordance with Chapter II without its prior permission provided the principle of reciprocity is applied.
The Socialist Republic of Czechoslovakia also declares, in connection with Article 18 of the said Convention, that a diplomatic officer, consular agent or commissioner authorized to take evidence under Articles 15, 16 and 17, may request the competent Czechoslovak court or the Czechoslovak State notary to carry out procedural action and that such a diplomatic officer, consular agent or commissioner will transmit the dossier to that court or notary through the intermediary of the Minister of Justice of the Czech Socialist Republic in Prague or the Minister of Justice of the Slovak Socialist Republic in Bratislava, provided the principle of reciprocity is applied.
The Socialist Republic of Czechoslovakia wishes to state, in connection with Article 40 of the Convention according to all States the right to declare that the Convention shall be applicable to all territories for the international relations of which it is responsible, that keeping certain countries in a state of dependence is in its opinion contrary to the spirit and objectives of the United Nations Declaration of 14 December 1960 on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, which declares the necessity for a speedy and unconditional end to colonialism in all its forms.
By a Note dated 24 May 1978 the Government of Czechoslovakia informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands of the designation, in accordance with Articles 2 and 24 of the Convention, of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Socialist Republic as Central Authorities.
By a Note dated 14 December 1979 and received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 18 December 1979, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic made a statement concerning the declaration made by the Federal Republic of Germany at the time of the deposit of its instrument of ratification of the above-mentioned Convention on 27 April 1979.
The text of this statement is as follows:
"L'Ambassade de la République Socialiste Tchécoslovaque au Royaume des Pays-Bas présente ses compliments au Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Royaume des Pays-Bas et, concernant la ratification, par la République fédérale d'Allemagne, de la Convention sur l'obtention des preuves à l'étranger en matière civile ou commerciale, conclue le 18 mars 1970, entrée en vigueur pour la République Socialiste Tchécoslovaque le 11 juillet 1976, elle a l'honneur selon les instructions du Ministère fédéral des Affaires Etrangères, de porter à sa connaissance que dans la déclaration du Gouvernement de la République fédérale d'Allemagne, la validité de la Convention est étendue au "Land Berlin"; en plus, cette déclaration contient en vertu des dispositions respectives de cette Convention un énuméré des Autorités centrales des différents Länder; dans cet énuméré, un "Land Berlin" figure comme l'un des Länder fédéraux, comme s'il était partie de la République fédérale d'Allemagne. On sait que Berlin-Ouest n'est pas un "Land Berlin" faisant partie de la République fédérale d'Allemagne. L'Accord Quadrilatéral du 3 septembre 1971 stipule expressément que les secteurs occidentaux de Berlin ne sont pas parties de la République fédérale d'Allemagne et de même ne peuvent pas être administrés par elle. La déclaration en question du Gouvernement de la République fédérale d'Allemagne est pas conséquent en contradiction flagrante avec l'Accord Quadrilatéral et ne peut avoir d'effet juridique. C'est la raison pour laquelle la République Socialiste Tchécoslovaque ne reconnaît point l'extension de la validité de la Convention aux secteurs occidentaux de Berlin et ne l'appliquera point.
L'Ambassade de la République Socialiste Tchécoslovaque a l'honneur de prier le Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Royaume des Pays-Bas de porter la présente déclaration de la République Socialiste Tchécoslovaque à la connaissance des Gouvernements de ceux des Etats qui sont ou qui seront à l'avenir Parties à la Convention susmentionnée."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has received a Note from the Embassy of the United States of America dated 12 August 1980 containing a statement made on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, the Government of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of France and referring to the statement made by the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in its Note dated 14 December 1979.
The statement reads as follows:
"In the communication referred to above the Government of Czechoslovakia objects to the use of the term "Land Berlin" in the declaration of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany made at the time of the deposit of its instruments of ratification of the above Convention on 27 April 1979. The extension of this Convention to the western sectors of Berlin has been approved by the three powers in the exercise of their supreme authority and under established procedures. Use of the term "Land Berlin", deriving as it does from the Constitution adopted by Berlin deputies in 1949 (as modified by the Reservations of the Allied Kommandatura expressed in BK/O (50 75)) does not imply that Berlin is a land of the Federal Republic of Germany. The extension of this Treaty to Berlin consequently continues in full force and effect.
In relation to the comments made by the Government of Czechoslovakia on the Quadripartite Agreement of 3 September 1971, the three Governments reaffirm that States which are not Parties to the Quadripartite Agreement are not competent to comment authoritatively on its provisions. The three Governments do not consider it necessary, nor do they intend to respond to any further communications on this subject from States which are not Party to the Quadripartite Agreement. This should not be taken to imply any change of the position of the three Governments in this matter."