A Legal Analysis of the 2019 Dutch Model Bilateral Investment Treaty: Balancing the Investor's Rights and the Public Interest of the Host State

Abstract

傳統上，國際投資協定被認為是維護投資法律環境與鼓勵外國直接投資的重要法律工具。因此，當今國家締結有為數眾多的雙邊投資條約，或是於自由貿易協定中訂定投資專章。與此同時，各國通過有雙邊投資條約範本，以作為建構其保護與促進外國投資活動之法律網絡的基礎。然而，由於近年來投資者權利與地主國公共利益兩者的衝突不斷增加，國際投資協定因此開始進行改革，以平衡投資者與地主國之間的權利義務關係，而此趨勢亦展現在各國對於雙邊投資條約範本的修正。荷蘭於2019年通過之《投資互惠促進及保護協定範本》為近年來國際間所通過的新雙邊投資條約範本，其目的在取代2004年之《投資鼓勵及互惠保護協定範本》，以作為日後荷蘭與其他非歐盟成員國締結或修改雙邊投資條約的基礎文件。本文擬探討2019年荷蘭雙邊投資條約範本於何種程度上展現出對於國際投資協定過去單方面保護投資者權利的修正，以及其是否有助於地主國規制權的行使以確保公共利益。International investment agreements (IIAs) are traditionally regarded as important instruments for creating a stable investment environment and promoting foreign direct investment (FDI). As a result, States conclude a number of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and include free trade agreements (FTAs) with investment provisions. States also adopt Model BITs as the bases for developing their extensive networks for the protection and promotion of foreign investment. However, with the conflict between the protection of the investor's rights and the public interest of the host State arise, IIAs concluded in recent years not only narrow down the scope of protection the investor used to enjoy, but also seek to ensure the host State's regulatory space for the public interest. This trend has also reflected in the amendment of Model BITs.Investment adopted by the Netherlands in 2019 (the 2019 Dutch Model BIT) aims at replacing the 2004 Model Agreement on Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment and will become the basic instrument for the Dutch Government to conclude BITs with non-EU countries. This article explores the extent to which the 2019 Dutch Model BIT has reflected the growing trend mentioned above, thereby achieving a better balance between the investor's right and the public interest of the host State.