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March 10, 1997

COGNIZANT of the wishes of His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos, President of the Republic of the Philippines and His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar; 

The Republic of the Philippines, herein represented by His Excellency Domingo L. Siazon Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and the State of Qatar, herein represented by His Excellency Ahmad bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs;

DESIRING to promote and expand the bonds of amity and cooperation in all fields between the Republic of the Philippines and the State of Qatar,

HAVE AGREED as follows:

1. That a Joint Ministerial Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JMCBC) is hereby established between the Republic of the Philippines and the State of Qatar, whose organization and functions shall be agreed upon by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.

2. That the representatives and delegations of the Philippines and of Qatar shall consult and coordinate on regional or global questions or issues of mutual interest in all international fora.

3. That, in particular, officials of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shall exchange visits and hold meetings through mutual agreement whenever the need arises.

4. That the two sides welcomed, and agreed to conclude after completing the required negotiations, the following proposed agreements:

(i) A bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement;

(ii) A bilateral avoidance of double taxation agreement;

(iii) A special protocol covering business people and business activities; and

(iv) A bilateral cultural cooperation agreement.

Signed this 10th day of March 1997 in the City of Doha.