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February 23, 2015
JOINT PLAN OF ACTION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Slovak Republic, hereinafter referred to as the Parties, committed to further strengthen bilateral relations and develop a deeper cooperation partnership, have agreed to:
I – POLITICAL COOPERATION
Reaffirm that cooperation will be on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity, taking into account common interests in line with obligations of the Parties under the United Nations Charter and international treaties to which they are Parties, and mindful of the guarantees under their respective legal systems;
Promote the regular exchange of visits, including between the heads of state/government, Cabinet members and relevant officials, and the interaction of such officials during international and regional conferences;
Encourage increased linkages between their respective legislatures, including through the establishment of legislative friendship groups;
Hold a High-Level Meeting, once every two years or on mutually-agreed dates, to review the conduct of bilateral relations, chart a course of action, exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and oversee the implementation of the Joint Plan Of Action (JPA);
Develop and promote contacts and mutually beneficial collaboration between local authorities and promote appropriate twinning programs whenever possible;
II – ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Strengthen bilateral trade and investments including in business process outsourcing, information and communications technology, renewable energy, tourism and public-private partnerships (PPP);
Develop bilateral cooperation projects and sharing of best practices;
Support the development of mutually beneficial free trade arrangements to promote employment and foster inclusive growth;
Promote tourism cooperation through, inter alia, participation in major travel industry events in the Philippines and the Slovak Republic, facilitating networking among travel industry officials and maintaining a dialogue between relevant tourism officials:
Facilitate development cooperation in agriculture, and renewable energy.
III – CONSULAR AND LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION
Strengthen collaboration on law enforcement and judicial matters through the regular exchange of information and best practices at the operational level, including those pertaining to arms smuggling, trafficking of persons, exploitation of women and children, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, illegal recruitment, and other transnational crimes;
Ensure a smooth and effective visa service for diplomatic and official passport holders for official related business.
Foster a regular dialogue on major developments in the Slovak Republic and the Philippines on matters affecting each other's nationals.
IV – CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION
Increase cooperation on education at all levels, including scholarships, promotion of bilateral education opportunities and exchanges between educational institutions;
Promote and facilitate exchanges between think-tanks and research institutions;
V – REGIONAL AND GLOBAL COOPERATION
Strengthen bilateral partnership and cooperation for mutual benefit on issues of common interest within inter-regional frameworks such as the ASEAN-EU meetings and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) as well as within the PH-EU Partnership Cooperation Agreement;
Work together in regional and multilateral fora, including the UN system, to alleviate poverty, support the rule of law, preserve international peace and security, promote human rights and accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Signed in Manila, Philippines on this 23rd day of February 2015.
Reaffirm that cooperation will be on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity, taking into account common interests in line with obligations of the Parties under the United Nations Charter and international treaties to which they are Parties, and mindful of the guarantees under their respective legal systems;
Promote the regular exchange of visits, including between the heads of state/government, Cabinet members and relevant officials, and the interaction of such officials during international and regional conferences;
Encourage increased linkages between their respective legislatures, including through the establishment of legislative friendship groups;
Hold a High-Level Meeting, once every two years or on mutually-agreed dates, to review the conduct of bilateral relations, chart a course of action, exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and oversee the implementation of the Joint Plan Of Action (JPA);
Develop and promote contacts and mutually beneficial collaboration between local authorities and promote appropriate twinning programs whenever possible;
Strengthen bilateral trade and investments including in business process outsourcing, information and communications technology, renewable energy, tourism and public-private partnerships (PPP);
Develop bilateral cooperation projects and sharing of best practices;
Support the development of mutually beneficial free trade arrangements to promote employment and foster inclusive growth;
Promote tourism cooperation through, inter alia, participation in major travel industry events in the Philippines and the Slovak Republic, facilitating networking among travel industry officials and maintaining a dialogue between relevant tourism officials:
Facilitate development cooperation in agriculture, and renewable energy.
Strengthen collaboration on law enforcement and judicial matters through the regular exchange of information and best practices at the operational level, including those pertaining to arms smuggling, trafficking of persons, exploitation of women and children, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, illegal recruitment, and other transnational crimes;
Ensure a smooth and effective visa service for diplomatic and official passport holders for official related business.
Foster a regular dialogue on major developments in the Slovak Republic and the Philippines on matters affecting each other's nationals.
Increase cooperation on education at all levels, including scholarships, promotion of bilateral education opportunities and exchanges between educational institutions;
Promote and facilitate exchanges between think-tanks and research institutions;
Strengthen bilateral partnership and cooperation for mutual benefit on issues of common interest within inter-regional frameworks such as the ASEAN-EU meetings and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) as well as within the PH-EU Partnership Cooperation Agreement;
Work together in regional and multilateral fora, including the UN system, to alleviate poverty, support the rule of law, preserve international peace and security, promote human rights and accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Signed in Manila, Philippines on this 23rd day of February 2015.
For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines: | For the Government of the Slovak Republic: |
(SGD.) ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIO | (SGD.) MIROSLAV LAJCAK |
Secretary of Foreign Affairs | Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs |