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January 16, 1994

No. 3586

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila presents its compliments to the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and with reference to the latter's Note No. 962599 dated 9 October 1996, has the honour to inform the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines that the Ministry of Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of Iran has agreed to the former's proposed amendment, as follows:

1) Article V which reads: "Subject to the laws and regulations of their respective countries, the sending Party shall assume cost of international airfare while the receiving Party shall assume the costs of training, accomodations, food and local transportation. The financial obligations of the Parties pertaining to the training programs shall apply only to the training programs conducted by the Parties and not to the training programs conducted by regional or international organizations located in their respective territories."

2) Deletion of Article III of the Memorandum of Understanding

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines the assurances of its highest consideration.

“Wishing the victory of the oppressed over the oppressors.”

Manila, 3 December 1996

Department of Foreign Affairs
Manila

OCT 10 1996

No 962503

The Department of Foreign Affairs presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and, with reference to the Embassy's request of 10 May 1996 for the amendment of Article V of Memorandum of Understanding on. Cooperation in the Fields of Agricultural Science and Technology and Promotion of Agricultural Trade Between the Republic of the Philippines and the Islamic Republic of Iran which was signed on 16 January 1994, has the honor to inform the Government of Iran that the Philippine Government agrees to the proposed amendment. Article V is now proposed to read as follows:

"Subject to the laws and regulations of their respective countries, the sending Party shall assume the cost of international airfare while the receiving Party shall assume the costs of training, accommodations, food and local transportation. The financial obligations of the Parties pertaining to the training programs shall apply only to the training programs conducted by the Parties and not to the training programs conducted by regional or international organizations located in their respective territories."

If the above text is acceptable to the Government of Iran, in the interest of proceeding immediately with the implementation of projects already discussed between the Parties, the Philippine Government proposes that this amendment take provisional effect on the date of the note of acceptance from the Embassy, with the understanding that both governments are committed to re-write the whole text of the Memorandum of Understanding to effect other necessary amendments as soon as they complete their respective proposed new texts.

In this connection, the Philippine Government further proposes the following amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding:

1. Deletion of Article III. The establishment of the Joint Commission between the Government of Iran and the Government of the Philippines, which has a Subcommittee on Agriculture, makes the Joint Working Group a superfluity; and

2. Amendments to Articles I and II for the purpose of emphasizing the science and technology aspects of the areas of cooperation. The Philippine Government will be submitting a proposed amended text at a later time.

The Department of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran the assurances of its highest consideration.

Pasay City, 9 October 1996

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL TRADE BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

The Republic of the Philippines, represented herein by the Department of Agriculture, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, represented herein by the Ministry of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the "Contracting Parties;"

Desiring to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries through the development of cooperation in the field of agricultural science and technology and in the promotion of both countries' agricultural products;

Hereby agree to pursue cooperative programs and exchanges in the field of agricultural science and technology and promotion of agricultural products through this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as "Memorandum"), to be implemented as follows:

ARTICLE I

Joint activities to be undertaken will be explored and determined by the Parties to accomplish the following:

1.1 To promote development of agricultural science and technological cooperation, programs and exchanges will be implemented in conformity with the laws and agricultural policies of both countries.

Cooperation will be in the broad areas of plant science, animal health, fisheries, energy in agriculture, biotechnology, food processing, fruit and vegetable production, agricultural engineering, agricultural cooperatives, marketing, distribution and storage, and other additional fields as agreed by the Parties.

1.2 To promote international agricultural trade, both Parties shall endeavor to create favorable conditions for import and export, including international quarantine rules and procedures, without affecting in any way the Contracting Parties commitments under existing bilateral and multilateral agreements.

ARTICLE II

Cooperation will be effected through, but not limited to, the exchange of materials and information; the exchange of scientists, experts and trainees; the joint study of preferential tariffs; the joint publication of studies and papers; the provision of scholarship programs; the organization of trainings, symposia and conferences; the conduct of strategic market facilitation activities including agricultural products trade fairs and special exhibitions; joint ventures, and other means as may be agreed upon.

2.1 Special efforts shall be pursued by both Parties for a working collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

ARTICLE III

A Joint Working Group shall be formed to determine joint activities and to provide guidance, review the progress of activities and facilitate cooperation. The Joint Working Group shall meet once every two years in alternating countries.

Each Contracting Party shall designate an Executive Secretary who shall be permanent members of the Joint Working Group.

3.1 The Executive Secretaries shall meet annually to develop a work program and coordinate administrative and technical details. The Executive Secretaries shall likewise correspond regularly to monitor implementation of all activities carried out under the auspices of this Memorandum.

3.2 Composition of the Joint Working Group. The Joint Working Group shall be composed of the following:

Philippine Side

Co-Chairman	-	Dr. Manuel M. Lantin Undersecretary for Regional Operations Department of Agriculture (DA)
Members	-	Dr. Nerius I. Roperos Director, Bureau of Plant Industry
	-	Dr. William D. Dar Director, Bureau of Agricultural Research
	-	Dr. Santiago R. Obien Director, Philippine Rice Research Institute
Executive Secretary	-	Ms. Janet D. Garcia Head, International Agricultural Affairs Division, DA

Iranian Side

Co-Chairman	-	Dr. A. Talaie Deputy Minister for Horticultural Affairs
Members	-	Dr. Seyed Ali Elahinia Head, Iran Rice Research Center
	-	Engr. Hamid Tamizkar Director-General Agricultural Food Industries
	-	Engr. Davanlou Head, International Relations Agricultural Research Organization
Executive Secretary	-	Dr. Ahmad Alavi Advisor to the Minister and Head, International Affairs Department

ARTICLE IV

To generate broad interest and increased activities, this Memorandum authorizes the involvement of other interested government agencies, the scientific, academic and business communities of both countries and private sectors. The Parties will encourage and facilitate direct contacts between these groups to work towards long-term cooperation in programs of research, extension and training, and to intensify potential joint ventures in agribusiness.

ARTICLE V

Each Party will bear the costs of its participation in cooperative activities unless the Parties agree on other arrangements. Activities pursuant to the Memorandum are subject to the availability of funds and personnel and to the laws and regulations of the respective countries of the Parties.

ARTICLE VI

Results of research and other activities carried out under this Memorandum shall be made available to the world scientific community unless otherwise agreed by the Parties. If both Parties are aware that a patentable invention or copyrighted material may result from an activity undertaken under the auspices of this Memorandum, the allocation of intellectual property rights will be agreed upon prior to implementation of the activity.

ARTICLE VII

Nothing in this Memorandum shall be interpreted to prejudice or modify existing understandings and agreements between the Parties.

ARTICLE VIII

This Memorandum shall enter into force upon signature and shall remain in force for five (5) years, unless terminated earlier by either Party upon six-month written notice to the other Party. It may be modified or extended through written confirmation of both Parties. In the event of the termination of this Memorandum, the Parties shall consult with each other regarding the completion of the activities underway.

Done in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, the 16th day of January 1994 during the official visit of His Excellency, Dr. Issa Kalantari, Minister of Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to the Republic of the Philippines from 12-16 January 1994.