1004-(64)

II SÉRIE-A — NÚMERO 41

Article 26 Mutual agreement procedure

1 — Where a person considers that the actions of one or both of the Contracting States result or will result for him in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, he may, irrespective of the remedies provided by the domestic law of those States, present his case to the competent authority of the Contracting State of which he is a resident or, if his case comes under paragraph 1 of article 25, to that of the Contracting State of which he is a national. The case must be presented within three years from the first notification of the action resulting in taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

2 — The competent authority shall endeavour, if the objection appears to it to be justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at a satisfactory solution, to resolve the case by mutual agreement with the competent authority of the other Contracting State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation which is not in accordance with the Convention. Any agreement reached shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic law of the Contracting States.

3 — The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavour to resolve by mutual agreement any difficulties or doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of the Convention. They may also consult together for the elimination of double taxation in cases not provided for in the Convention.

4 — The competent authorities of the Contracting States may communicate with each other directly, including through a joint commission consisting of themselves or their representatives, for the purpose of reaching an agreement in the sense of the preceding paragraphs.

Article 27 Exchange of information

1 — The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall exchange such information as is necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Convention or of the domestic laws of the Contracting States concerning taxes covered by the Convention insofar as the taxation thereunder is not contrary to the Convention. The exchange of information is not restricted by article 1. Any information received by a Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as information obtained under the domestic laws of that State and shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and administrative bodies) concerned with the assessment or collection of, the enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in relation to, the taxes covered by the Convention. Such persons or authorities shall use the information only for such purposes. They may disclose the information in public court proceedings or in judicial decisions.

2 — In no case shall the provisions of paragraph 1 be construed so as to impose on a Contracting State the obligation:

a) To carry out administrative measures at variance with the laws and administrative practice of that or of the other Contracting State;

b) To supply information which is not obtainable under the laws or in the normal course of the administration of that or of the other Contracting State;

c) To supply information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial or professional secret or trade process, or information, the disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy (order public).

Article 28

Members of diplomatic missions and consular posts

Nothing in this Convention shall affect the fiscal privileges of members of diplomatic missions or consular posts under the general rules of international law or under the provisions of special agreements.

Article 29

Entry into force '

1 — The Contracting States shall notify each other that their constitutional requirements for the entry into force of this Convention have been complied with.

2 — The Convention shall enter into force on the date of the latter of the notifications referred to in paragraph 1 and its provisions shall apply:

a) In the case of Romania:

i) In respect of taxes withheld at source, the fact giving rise to them appearing on or after the first day of January in the year next following the year in which this Convention enters into force;

ii) In respect of other taxes, as to income arising or capital owned on or after, the first day of January in the calendar year next following the year in which the Convention enters into force;

6) In the case of Portugal:

i) In respect of taxes withheld at source, the fact giving rise to them appearing on or after the first day of January in the year next following the year in which this Convention enters into force;

ii) In respect of other taxes, as to income arising or capital owned in the fiscal year beginning on or after the first day of January in the year next following the year in which this Convention enters into force.

Article 30 Termination

This Convention shall remain in force until terminated by one of the Contracting States. Either Contracting State may terminate the Convention, through diplomatic channels, by giving notice of termination at least six months before the end of any calendar year following after the period of five years from the date on which the Convention enters into force. In such event the Convention shall cease to have effect:

a) In the case of Romania:

i) In respect of taxes withheld at source, the fact giving rise to them appearing on

or after the first day of January in the

calendar year next following the year in which the notice of termination expires;