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September 27, 2012

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of South Africa (hereinafter referred to singularly as a “Party” and jointly as “the Parties”);

WISHING TO strengthen and consolidate the existing friendly relations between their two peoples and countries;

ACKNOWLEDGING the duty and the desire to promote and consolidate political, economic and social relations;

REAFFIRMING their conviction that the future development of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries will contribute to international peace and security by means of creating mutual confidence, understanding and cooperation in international relations;

HEREBY AGREE as follows:

Article 1

ESTABLISHMENT OF A BILATERAL CONSULTATIVE FORUM

The Parties shall establish a Bilateral Consultative Forum (hereinafter referred to as “the Forum”) between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Department of International Relations and Co-operation of the Republic of South Africa to foster, govern and monitor bilateral cooperation, for their mutual benefit, in any area of cooperation agreed upon.

Article 2

OBJECTIVE OF THE FORUM

The objective of the Forum shall be to broaden and strengthen cooperation between the Parties in all fields and it shall to that end be competent:

 
1. To conduct bilateral consultations on issues of mutual interest; and
 
2. To follow and make proposals regarding the implementation of the agreements already concluded or those which are to be concluded between the Parties.

Article 3

SUB-FORUMS

The Forum may, in order to implement the decisions adopted by it, establish Sub-Forums and/or working groups.

Article 4

MEETINGS

 
1. The Forum shall strive to meet every year, and at such other times as may be agreed upon, alternately in the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of South Africa, to review the status of relations and the implementation of programmes and actions of cooperation undertaken in terms of this Memorandum of Agreement, and to adopt a programme for future work.
 
2. The dates and venues of meetings as well as the agenda for such meetings of the Forum shall be agreed upon between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Department of International Relations and Co-operation of the Republic of South Africa
 
3. The meetings shall be co-chaired by the respective leaders of the delegations. The South African delegation shall be headed by the Deputy Director General: Asia and the Middle East of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and on the Philippines side by the Assistant Secretary: Office of Middle East and African Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
 
4. The Party hosting the meeting shall be responsible for providing a venue and secretarial services at its own cost.
 
5. Each Party shall bear the travel and accommodation costs of its own delegation.
 
6. The discussions and outcomes of the meetings shall be reflected in the Agreed Minutes which shall be co-signed by the co-chairpersons of the Parties.
 
7. The Parties may, if they so wish, agree to issue Joint Press Releases on the outcomes of the meetings.

Article 5

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Any dispute between the Parties arising out of the interpretation or the implementation of this Memorandum of Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultation or negotiations between the Parties through diplomatic channels.

Article 6

ENTRY INTO FORCE, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 
1. This Memorandum of Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the later written notification by either of the Parties, through diplomatic channels indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.
 
2. It shall remain in force for a period of five (5) years, and shall be automatically renewed for a similar period, unless one Party officially notifies the other Party to its desire to terminate this Memorandum of Agreement. In such case, the Memorandum of Agreement shall remain valid until sixty (60) days after the date on which one Party receives an official notification from the other Party expressing the desire of the latter to terminate the validity of this Memorandum of Agreement.
 
3. Any amendment or revision to the text of this Memorandum of Agreement shall enter into force in accordance with the provision of paragraph 1 of this Article.
 
4. The expiration or termination of this Memorandum of Agreement shall not affect, or in any way prejudice, existing obligations or programmes of actions assumed or commenced hereunder. Such obligations or programmes of action shall remain in force until completion thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed and sealed this Memorandum of Agreement in two originals in the English language.

DONE at New York City, USA on this 27^th day of September 2012.