Supreme Court E-Library
Information At Your Fingertips

December 18, 1997

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic hereinafter referred to as "the Parties";

Desirous of expanding and enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries through economic and technical cooperation;

Recognizing the advantages to be derived by their respective peoples from such cooperation; and

Cognizant of the need to undertake all measures to encourage and develop economic and technical cooperation between the two countries;

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I
AREAS OF COOPERATION

The Parties shall, within their respective capabilities, effect economic and technical cooperation in areas of economic development, within the framework of the present Agreement and in conformity with their respective laws and regulations, which will be mutually beneficial to both countries.

In order to achieve the objectives laid down in this Agreement, the Parties shall promote:

(a) the study, preparation and implementation of economic and technical projects of mutual interest;

(b) cooperation relative to the financial and technical aspects of selected projects;

(c) the provision of services in their territories which would contribute toward the improvement of the standards of living and the prosperity of their countries; and

(d) any other form of cooperation as may be deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE II
IMPLEMENTING ARRANGEMENT

The economic and technical cooperation shall be conducted in accordance with the capabilities and requirements of the respective Parties as well as with the terms and conditions to be agreed upon by the Parties. The detailed provisions relating to the forms and methods as well as to the conditions of such cooperation in the agreed areas, including intellectual property rights, shall be laid down in separate implementing arrangements.

ARTICLE III
PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Payments for all transactions resulting from the present Agreement shall be in freely convertible currency and in accordance with the foreign exchange regulations of each country. This does not, however, preclude the conclusion of other payment arrangements as may be agreed upon by the Parties.

ARTICLE IV
PARTICIPATION OF THIRD PARTIES

In appropriate cases, technical personnel, governmental agencies, and institutions of third countries may participate in projects and programmes being carried out under the Agreement at the invitation of the two Parties.

ARTICLE V
ENTRY OF PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT

Each Party shall facilitate entry into and exit from its territory of personnel and equipment of the other Party working on or used in joint projects and programmes in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations in force in their respective countries.

ARTICLE VI
JOINT COMMITTEE

The Parties agree to establish a Joint Committee to examine the implementation of this Agreement, to discuss the issues that might arise from the application of this Agreement, and to make all the necessary recommendations for the achievement of its goals.

This Joint Committee shall meet when considered appropriate by mutual agreement, alternately in the Philippines and in Laos. This Joint Committee shall, whenever necessary, establish Working Groups and appoint experts and advisors to attend the meetings.

For the purpose of implementing this Agreement, the Joint Committee shall be constituted by each Government appointing a Chairman and other members representing appropriate Departments/Agencies.

For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Chairman shall be the Department of Foreign Affairs; and

For the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Chairman shall be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

ARTICLE VII
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

Any dispute between the Parties concerning the interpretation and/or implementation of the present Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultation or negotiation between the Parties.

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT

Either Party may request in writing, through diplomatic channels, a revision or amendment of all or parts of this Agreement. Any revision or amendment to which has been agreed to by the Parties shall come into effect on such date as will be determined by the Parties.

ARTICLE IX
ENTRY INTO FORCE

This Agreement shall come into force on the date of the latter notification by any Party, through diplomatic channels, that its domestic requirements have been complied with.

ARTICLE X
VALIDITY

This Agreement shall be valid for a period of five (5) years. Thereafter, it shall be automatically renewed for additional periods of one (1) year each, unless terminated earlier by either Party upon notice given through diplomatic channels to the other Party, six (6) months prior to the date of expiry of the relevant period.

The termination of the present Agreement shall not affect the validity and duration of any arrangement and/or contract made under the present Agreement until the completion of such arrangement and/or contract.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

DONE at Manila on 18 December 1997 in four original texts, two each in the English and Lao languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.