Artikel 4

1. Associate degrees shall benefit from automatic recognition pursuant to Article 3 of this Treaty, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
a) The minimum quality of the programmes that led to the Associate degree has been assured through its licencing by the competent authority of the Party where the degree was issued;
b) The Associate degree has been awarded by a recognised institution and pertains to a recognised programme in higher education, in accordance with the legislation of the Party where the degree was issued, insofar as that institution and programme are covered by Annex II to this Treaty;
c) The automatic recognition of Associate degrees shall only apply between Parties whose legislation provides for Associate degrees belonging to higher education, as from the moment that these Parties have declared that they automatically recognise such degrees. Such declarations shall be notified to the Depositary, who shall inform the other Parties thereof.
The absence of such a declaration on behalf of a Party shall remain without prejudice to any obligations for that Party towards another Party pursuant to other arrangements pertaining to the recognition of Associate degrees.
2. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees shall benefit from automatic recognition pursuant to Article 3 of this Treaty, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
a) The minimum quality of the programmes leading to the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree has been assured through its licensing by the competent authority of the Party where the degree was issued;
b) The Bachelor’s or Master’s degree has been awarded by a recognised higher education institution and pertains to a recognised programme, in accordance with the legislation of the Party where the degree was issued, insofar as that institution and programme are covered by Annex III to this Treaty.
3. Doctoral degrees shall benefit from automatic recognition pursuant to Article 3 of this Treaty, provided that the Doctoral degree has been awarded by a higher education institution or another body authorised for this purpose in accordance with the legislation of the Party where the Doctoral degree was issued, insofar as that institution or body is covered by Annex IV to this Treaty.