| CONTACT: |
| Supreme Court of the Philippines Library Services, Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila, Philippines 1000 |
| (632) 8524-2706 |
| libraryservices.sc@judiciary.gov.ph |
March 25, 2015
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOREIGN POLICY CONSULTATIONS
The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (hereinafter referred to individually as 'Participant' and collectively as the 'Participants')
ASPIRING to further develop and strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries and enhance bilateral cooperation in mutually agreed fields;
DETERMINED to promote political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation between both countries;
CONVINCED of the importance of establishing regular consultations and exchange of views between both countries on bilateral relations and cooperation in issues of common interest;
Have reached the following understanding:
Paragraph 1
General Objective
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a mechanism for periodic foreign policy consultations between the Participants which will:
1. Review all aspects of the bilateral relationship of the Participants;
2. Facilitate exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, and other matters of mutual concern; and
3. Evaluate the development of their cooperation in the fields of defense, security, trade, economy, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, education and health, as well as the need to expand it to other areas.
Paragraph 2
Level of Consultations
1. Consultations will be held at the level of Undersecretary for Policy for the Philippines and Foreign Secretary for Bangladesh.
2. The Consultations may, upon mutual consent, be held at the level of the Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs for the Philippines and Director General for Bangladesh.
3. The respective heads of delegations of the Participants will be the Co-Chairpersons of the Consultations.
4. The Participants will determine the size of the delegation via diplomatic channels.
Paragraph 3
Frequency and Venue of Meetings
1. The Consultations will take place annually, alternately in the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
2. The Participants may jointly decide to hold an extraordinary session, as may be necessary. The meetings may also take place in a third country on the occasion of an international conference or meeting.
3. The Participants will determine the date and agenda of the meetings via diplomatic channels.
Paragraph 4
Expenditures
1. The Participants hosting a meeting will cover the expenses related to the meeting and its venue.
2. Each Participant will cover the expenses related to the participation of its representatives in the consultations.
Paragraph 5
Decisions and Consultations
1. At the Consultations, decisions will be made by consensus.
2. In urgent matters and with consensus, the Chairpersons will have the right to make decisions in the period between the meetings of the Consultations. The decision of the Co-Chairpersons will be included in the agreed Minutes for their appropriate implementation.
3. The decisions will come into effect on the date of their signing, if not provided otherwise.
4. Decisions, which according to the Statement of one of the Chairpersons have to be approved by the authorized bodies of its respective country, will come into effect on the date of notification by the corresponding Chairperson about their approval.
Paragraph 6
Minutes of the Meetings
1. Results and decisions of the Consultations will be reflected in the Minutes, which will be signed by the Chairpersons.
2. Agreed Minutes of the Consultations will be done in English.
Paragraph 7
Differences in Interpretation
Should there be any divergence on the interpretation or implementation of this MOU, the Participants will immediately consult with each other to settle the matter amicably.
Paragraph 8
Status
This MOU is not intended to create any legally binding obligations under international law. It will not in any way affect the obligations of each country under international conventions to which that country is a party.
Paragraph 9
Final Provision
1. This MOU will come into effect on the date of signature.
2. This MOU will remain in effect, unless terminated or suspended by either Participants by giving at least sixty (60) days prior written notification to the other Participant, through diplomatic channels.
3. This MOU may be amended or supplemented at any time by mutual written consent of the Participants, Such amendment or supplementation will come into effect on the date of signature.
DONE at Manila on 25 March 2015 in two originals, both in English.
ASPIRING to further develop and strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries and enhance bilateral cooperation in mutually agreed fields;
DETERMINED to promote political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation between both countries;
CONVINCED of the importance of establishing regular consultations and exchange of views between both countries on bilateral relations and cooperation in issues of common interest;
Have reached the following understanding:
General Objective
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a mechanism for periodic foreign policy consultations between the Participants which will:
1. Review all aspects of the bilateral relationship of the Participants;
2. Facilitate exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, and other matters of mutual concern; and
3. Evaluate the development of their cooperation in the fields of defense, security, trade, economy, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, education and health, as well as the need to expand it to other areas.
Level of Consultations
1. Consultations will be held at the level of Undersecretary for Policy for the Philippines and Foreign Secretary for Bangladesh.
2. The Consultations may, upon mutual consent, be held at the level of the Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs for the Philippines and Director General for Bangladesh.
3. The respective heads of delegations of the Participants will be the Co-Chairpersons of the Consultations.
4. The Participants will determine the size of the delegation via diplomatic channels.
Frequency and Venue of Meetings
1. The Consultations will take place annually, alternately in the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
2. The Participants may jointly decide to hold an extraordinary session, as may be necessary. The meetings may also take place in a third country on the occasion of an international conference or meeting.
3. The Participants will determine the date and agenda of the meetings via diplomatic channels.
Expenditures
1. The Participants hosting a meeting will cover the expenses related to the meeting and its venue.
2. Each Participant will cover the expenses related to the participation of its representatives in the consultations.
Decisions and Consultations
1. At the Consultations, decisions will be made by consensus.
2. In urgent matters and with consensus, the Chairpersons will have the right to make decisions in the period between the meetings of the Consultations. The decision of the Co-Chairpersons will be included in the agreed Minutes for their appropriate implementation.
3. The decisions will come into effect on the date of their signing, if not provided otherwise.
4. Decisions, which according to the Statement of one of the Chairpersons have to be approved by the authorized bodies of its respective country, will come into effect on the date of notification by the corresponding Chairperson about their approval.
Minutes of the Meetings
1. Results and decisions of the Consultations will be reflected in the Minutes, which will be signed by the Chairpersons.
2. Agreed Minutes of the Consultations will be done in English.
Differences in Interpretation
Should there be any divergence on the interpretation or implementation of this MOU, the Participants will immediately consult with each other to settle the matter amicably.
Status
This MOU is not intended to create any legally binding obligations under international law. It will not in any way affect the obligations of each country under international conventions to which that country is a party.
Final Provision
1. This MOU will come into effect on the date of signature.
2. This MOU will remain in effect, unless terminated or suspended by either Participants by giving at least sixty (60) days prior written notification to the other Participant, through diplomatic channels.
3. This MOU may be amended or supplemented at any time by mutual written consent of the Participants, Such amendment or supplementation will come into effect on the date of signature.
DONE at Manila on 25 March 2015 in two originals, both in English.
For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines | For the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |
(SGD.) ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO | (SGD.) MD. SHAHIDUL HAQUE |
Foreign of Affairs Secretary | Foreign Secretary |
Entry into Force: March 25, 2015