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August 15, 2001

The Philippines News Agency (PNA) and the Iraqi News Agency (INA) hereinafter referred to as the "Parties";

DESIRING to enhance the existing friendly relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Iraq;

RECOGNIZING the importance of enhancing relations in the field of information and news exchange;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1
GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The Contracting Parties shall cooperate in the field of news and information exchange in accordance with the laws and regulations prevailing in their respective countries.

ARTICLE 2
IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

The Parties will endeavor to encourage and facilitate, as appropriate, the advancement of connection and cooperation between them through the Philippines News Agency (PNA) and the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

ARTICLE 3
FIELDS OF COOPERATION

In order to pursue the above objectives of cooperation, the Parties will encourage and promote an exchange of programs, experiences, skills, techniques, information and knowledge between, but not limited to, the following areas;

1. PNA authorizes INA to receive its bulletins by electronic mail and circulate the news item;

2. INA authorizes PNA to receive its bulletin by electronic mail and circulate the news item;

3. The two agencies agree to undertake the exchange of news and reports with the obligation of taking care of their content and meaning and to refer to its original source and compel to objective accuracy in conveying these reports and news;

4. The two agencies agree to exchange photographs on important events and occasions by convenient means;

5. The two sides agree on covering some news and activities and the asking side for that cover will pay the expenditures, taking in consideration the current circumstances in both countries;

6. The two sides agree on exchanging expertise in media and technical field and the detail will be agreed upon by the exchange of letters between the two respective authorized officials;

7. The two sides agree on exchange visits in relation to the process of work in both agencies in media and technical fields.

ARTICLE 4
IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Parties shall execute the appropriate arrangements and mechanisms to implement this AFC.

ARTICLE 5
AMENDMENT

Any amendment or revision to the text of this AFC shall be done by mutual consent of the Parties. This amendment or revision shall enter into force in accordance with the provision of Article 8 hereof.

ARTICLE 6
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Any dispute between the Parties arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this AFC shall be settled by consultations or negotiations, through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 7
VALIDITY AND DURATION

This AFC shall remain in full force and effect for one (1) year and shall be automatically renewed for similar duration unless one Party officially notifies the other Party, through diplomatic channels, of its desire to suspend or terminate this AFC. In such a case, the AFC shall remain valid until thirty (30) days after the date on which one Party receives an official notification from the other Party expressing the desire of the latter to suspend or terminate the validity of this AFC.

ARTICLE 8
ENTRY INTO FORCE

This AFC shall enter into force on the date of the later written notification by the Parties, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with. 

DONE in Manila, this 15th day of August, 2001 in the English languages.