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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BILATERAL CONSULTATION MECHANISM BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, hereinafter referred to as the “Signatories”.

REFLECTING the desire of both countries to develop and further enhance the friendly relations between both countries;

CONSIDERING that the establishment of periodic consultations and an exchange of ideas on bilateral relations and international matters of mutual interest would be of mutual benefit;

REAFFIRMING their conviction that the further development of friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries will contribute to achievement of peace and mutual understanding in international relations,

Have decided as follows:

Clause 1

The Signatories will conduct periodic consultations at the level of Foreign Ministers, Vice Ministers/Undersecretaries of Foreign Affairs or Senior Officials of the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs with the aim of reviewing all aspects of their bilateral relationship, exchanging views on bilateral, regional and international affairs of mutual interest, and discussing bilateral cooperation in regional and international matters of common interest.

 

Clause 2

1. The Signatories will conduct the consultation in the spirit of flexibility and cooperation.
   
2. The consultations will be held annually or as deemed necessary, alternatively in Italy and in the Philippines. The modalities for consultations, including the determinations of dates, venue, agenda, and level of representation, will be determined by mutual agreement through diplomatic channels.

 

Clause 3

The Parties will carry out consultations and exchanges of views on matters of common interest, and in particular, but not exclusively, on the following:

1. Bilateral issues, which may include political issues of common interest as well as economic, cultural, scientific, social and educational cooperation and other issues of common interest;
   
2. Political issues of common interest which may include political issues in the framework of Asian Europe Meeting (ASEM) relations; relations between Europe and Asia and between the European Union and ASEAN as well as regional issues of common interest, including the East Asia Summit;
   
3. Global issues of common interest, which may include multilateral issues.

 

Clause 4

1. The provisions of this Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented on the basis of respective national laws and in compliance with the obligations of the contracting Parties under International law including, as far as Italy is concerned, obligations deriving from the European Union membership.
   
2. Activities foreseen under this Memorandum of Understanding will be carried out compatibly with resources available to the Parties and will not imply any additional cost to the State budget.

Clause 5

1. The present Memorandum of Understanding will take effect on the date of its signature.
   
2. This Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years and will be extended for a similar period unless one of the Signatories notified the other of its desire to suspend or terminate this Memorandum of Understanding six (6) months prior to its intended date of expiration. The suspension or termination should not prejudice the completion of projects initiated under this Memorandum of Understanding.
   
3. Any changes to the present Memorandum of Understanding will be done in writing by mutual consent of the Signatories, through diplomatic channels and will take effect on the date of signing.

 

Signed in Rome on the 18^th day of January of 2017 in two original copies and in two languages, English and Italian, both texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text will prevail.

 

For the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines     (Sgd.) Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines

For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic (Sgd.) Angelino Alfano Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic

 

Entry into Force: January 18, 2017