Seventh Additional Protocol to the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union

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Armenia

05-10-2004

Recently, the international community has been subjected to a significant amount of falsified propaganda and anti-Armenian campaigning carried out by Azerbaijani officials with the aim of presenting a distorted picture of the causes and issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the resulting situation on the ground.
Frivolous interpretations of the UN Security Council resolutions and groundless accusations against the Republic of Armenia are common practice for Azerbaijani authorities, with the goal of concealing their own grave crimes of the past.
Azerbaijan’s authorities use every international forum or organization to pursue their destructive policy instead of concentrating on the international community’s peace efforts. Unfortunately, the Universal Postal Congress is no exception.
Armenia believes that this behaviour at international gatherings is inadmissible and hinders the efforts of the international community to advance issues of mutual cooperation.
As the Universal Postal Congress is in no way an appropriate forum at which to discuss the issues related to conflict resolution, the delegation of Armenia, without going into much detail, would confine itself to the following declaration for the record.
The two declarations made on signature of the Acts on behalf of the Republic of Azerbaijan, circulated on 20 and 21 September, contain gross irregularities and are used for purely propaganda purposes and are aimed at deviating from the agenda of the 23rd UPU Congress.
These two statements are clear evidence of the continuation of Azerbaijan’s decades-long policy to deprive the population of Nagorno-Karabakh of its basic rights, including the right to communicate.
Nagorno-Karabakh has never been a part of independent Azerbaijan. The references of Azerbaijan in article 23 of the Constitution and article 305 of the Letter Post Regulations and efforts to present Nagorno-Karabakh as “an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan are neither legal nor legitimate.
The future status of Nagorno-Karabakh must be determined through the peace negotiations within the framework of the Minsk process of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and taking into account all of the founding principles of the OSCE.
The fact that the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh has thus far not been officially recognized by the international community cannot prevent its population from freely communicating, inter alia via the postal services.
Consequently, the postal administration of the Republic of Armenia acts as intermediary for the postal administration of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh within the meaning of Article 4 of the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union.
The Republic of Armenia hopes that all the UPU member states pay due attention to the above-mentioned facts and arguments.

Australia

05-10-2004

Australia will apply the Acts and other decisions adopted by this Congress in full compliance with its rights and obligations under the World Trade Organization Agreement, and in particular the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Austria

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Azerbaijan

18-07-2008

At present, the region of Nagorny Karabakh and adjacent districts, which are an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, are under the occupation of the Republic of Armenia.
The illegal territorial entity called "the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh" was created after the 1992/93 occupation of the Nagorny Karabakh region and adjacent Azerbaijani districts by the Armenian armed forces, which ethnically cleansed the area to remove the Azerbaijani people from the occupied territories.
These people, who have become refugees in their own country and who number more than one million, live in tents and huts in unbearable conditions; they are deprived of all comforts and basic services, including postal services, and are waiting to be able to return to their homes.
The actions of the Republic of Armenia’s armed forces have been condemned by the international community, in particular by the UN Security Council, which, in resolutions 822 of 30 April 1993, 853 of 29 June 1993, 874 of 14 October 1993 and 884 of 12 November 1993, demanded the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of forces occupying the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Given this situation, the provisions of article RE 305 of the Letter Post Regulations of the Universal Postal Convention, concerning the circulation of postage stamps valid in the country of origin, are not observed in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is occupied by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia.
In these conditions, the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that, in accordance with the Constitution of the Universal Postal Union, signed in Vienna (Austria) on 10 July 1964, the Republic of Azerbaijan reaffirms its sovereignty over the territory of the Nagorny Karabakh region and adjacent districts, which are currently occupied by the Republic of Armenia.
The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan works on the principle that the postal administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the only possible structure recognized by the international community in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan considers the alleged Republic of Nagorny Karabakh to be an illegal entity created in territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan occupied by the Republic of Armenia.
The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan considers that any attempt to present the so-called Republic of Nagorny Karabakh as an independent entity with all the attributes of a State is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as a violation of other rules of international law and of its right to operate postal services.
The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan makes the following statement: In view of the occupation of the Nagorny Karabakh region and adjacent districts of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan reserves the right not to apply the articles of the Universal Postal Convention in respect of the Republic of Armenia.

18-07-2008

Illegitimate circulation of the illegal stamps issued by the occupying power of Armenia under the title of the so-called "Republic of Nagorny Karabakh" (illegal separatist puppet regime sponsored by the Republic of Armenia) has been the source of deep concern to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan since 1993, and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) has been duly informed about this infraction on several occasions.
Reacting to the appeal by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the International Bureau of the UPU issued circular 426 of 20 December 1993 that called on the postal administrations of all UPU member states not to accept for processing items with the above-mentioned illegal stamps and to return such items to origin.
However, letters with these stamps continue to enter the territory of some UPU member states. The latest registered violation took place when these illegal stamps entered the territory of Germany from Armenia without any obstacle, as confirmed by an article published in "Michel Rundschau" dated October 2003. The letter with the above-mentioned illegal stamps addressed to G. Bundesmann from the occupying power of Armenia under the title of the so-called "Republic of Nagorny Karabakh" served as a reason for the publication of that article. The article also stated that these illegal stamps had been presented in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue (United Kingdom).
This confirms that certain postal administrations are grossly violating the norms and regulations enshrined in the Charter of the UPU, Universal Postal Convention and in other Acts of the UPU, as well as the rules governing the passage of postal correspondence among countries.
With reference to International Bureau circulars 426 of 20 December 1993 and 263 of 30 August 2004, concerning the illegitimate circulation of the afore-mentioned illegal stamps, the Republic of Azerbaijan, by this declaration, officially informs member countries of the Union - as well as other interested parties (catalogues, stamp collectors, etc.), of the inadmissibility of processing any written correspondence bearing the illegal postage stamps issued by the occupying power of Armenia under the title of the so-called "Republic of Nagorny Karabakh". The publication of articles and information on these illegally issued stamp in postage stamp catalogues is equally unacceptable.
Once again, the Republic of Azerbaijan requests the postal administrations of all UPU member countries, as well as all other interested parties, not to violate the norms and regulations of the UPU and international law and, accordingly, not to accept for processing items with the above-mentioned illegal stamps and to return such items to origin.
The Republic of Azerbaijan hopes that all UPU member states will take the necessary steps to prevent the violation of generally recognized norms and principles of international law, and in particular, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and will not permit the recurrence of such illegal actions in the future.
The Republic of Azerbaijan expects due account to be taken of its above-mentioned position by all UPU member states.

Belgium

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Cyprus

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Czech Republic

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Denmark

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Estonia

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Finland

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

France

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Germany

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Greece

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Hungary

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Indonesia

05-10-2004

The delegation of the Republic of Indonesia declares that Indonesia will apply the Acts adopted by the 23rd Congress of the Universal Postal Union, in accordance with the Constitution, Laws and Regulations of the Republic of Indonesia and pursuant to its obligations as a party to other treaties, conventions and any principles of international law.
The delegation of the Republic of Indonesia reserves the right of its Government to take any action or measures it deems necessary to safeguard its national interests should any Acts adopted by this Congress directly or indirectly affect its sovereignty or contravene the Constitution, Laws or Regulations of Indonesia, should any Member in any way fail to comply with the Constitution, Convention or Acts of the Universal Postal Union, or should the consequences of reservations by any Member jeopardize its postal services or result in an unacceptable increase in its contributory share towards defraying the expenses of the Union.

Ireland

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Italy

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Jordan

05-10-2004

Jordan will apply the Acts and other decisions adopted by this Congress insofar as they are consistent with its other international rights and obligations and, in particular, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

Kuwait

05-10-2004

On signing the Final Acts of the 23rd Congress of the Universal Postal Union (Bucharest 2004), the Kuwaiti delegation declares that the State of Kuwait will apply the Acts and other decisions adopted by this Congress in so far as they are consistent with its other international rights and obligations.

Latvia

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Liechtenstein

05-10-2004

The delegations of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and Norway declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the agreement establishing the European Economic Area and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Lithuania

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Luxembourg

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Malta

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Moldova

05-10-2004

Moldova shall apply the Acts adopted by the 23rd Congress of the Universal Postal Union in conformity with the Constitution, laws and regulations of the Republic of Moldova, pursuant to its obligations as a party to other treaties, conventions and according to the principles of international law.
Moldova reserves for its Government the right to undertake any actions or measures that it deems necessary to protect its national interests if any Acts adopted by congress directly or indirectly contravene the Constitution of Moldova, its laws and regulations, or if any member country fails to comply with the Constitution, Convention or Acts of the Universal Postal Union.

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

New Zealand

05-10-2004

New Zealand will apply the Acts and other decisions adopted by this Congress insofar as they are consistent with its other international rights and obligations and, in particular, the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Norway

05-10-2004

The delegations of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and Norway declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the agreement establishing the European Economic Area and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Poland

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Portugal

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Slovakia

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Slovenia

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Spain

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Sweden

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

Syria

05-10-2004

The postal administration of the Syrian Arab Republic declares that its signature of the Acts does not imply an obligation to perform or accept any transaction with the Israeli postal administration.

05-10-2004

The postal administration of the Syrian Arab Republic reiterates the declaration made at the 1999 Beijing Congress by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Iraq, Kuwait, the Lebanese Republic, the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Sudan, the Republic of Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Yemen and declares that their signature of all the Acts of the Universal Postal Union (1999 Beijing Congress) as well as any subsequent ratification of those Acts by their respective Governments are not valid vis-à-vis the member inscribed under the name of Israel and in no way imply its recognition.

Togo

05-10-2004

On signing the Final Acts of the 23rd Congress of the Universal Postal Union (Bucharest 2004), the Togolese delegation declares that the Republic of Togo will in no way be bound by any provisions of these Acts that infringe its sovereignty or run counter to its national legislation. Similarly, the signature of these Acts should not be construed as a decision by Togo to give up any rights it has or could claim under the international agreements or instruments to which it is party.

Tonga

05-10-2004

The Kingdom of Tonga will apply the Acts and other decisions adopted by this Congress insofar as they are consistent with its other international rights and obligations and, in particular, the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

United Kingdom

05-10-2004

The delegations of the member countries of the European Union declare that their countries will apply the Acts adopted by this Congress in accordance with their obligations pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organization.

United States of America

05-10-2004

The United States regards the characterization of ‘customer rights as one of the main features of human rights’ in the resolution entitled "Universal Postal Declaration of Customer Rights" as an unfortunate and unwarranted example of the use of hyperbole to emphasize an otherwise important point. Customer rights is an important concept supported strongly in the United States in both law and practice, but it does not rise to the level of human rights such as those enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are concerned that the attempt rhetorically to link the two concepts will detract from a clear understanding of human rights. The United States did not support the adoption of resolution 064.Rev 1 and does not recognize either that resolution or its annex as constituting the creation, or reflecting the existence, of a human right under international law.

Vietnam

05-10-2004

The delegation of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Universal Postal Union Congress (Bucharest 2004) declares that it reserves for its Government the right to take action or measures it deems necessary to safeguard its national interests should any other postal administration in any way fail to comply with the provisions of the UPU Acts or should reservations by other postal administrations impair its postal services or violate its sovereignty.
Viet Nam reserves for its Government the right to make additional declarations, if necessary, upon ratification of the UPU Acts.