In the spirit of the peace process, and in line with the Israeli-Palestinian September 1995 Interim Agreement, the two sides shall cooperate in enhancing the dialogue and relations between their peoples in accordance with concepts developed in cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway.
ARTICLE I
Objectives
- The two sides are determined to establish dialogue and cooperation on the bases of equality, airness and reciprocity within the context of the interim period, and to act together in order to ensure that peace,stability and cooperation between them are reinforced and sustained.
In striving to live in peaceful coexistence, the two sides will seek to design and implement various programs which will facilitate the efforts leading to full reconciliation based on the agreed political process, and make it possible for smooth implementation of a permanent settlement based on Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
- To that end, the two sides agree to establish and maintain between them an extensive program of cooperation in fields of human activity including in economic, scientific, social and cultural fields, involving officials,institutions, and the private sector.
- The two sides will act to meet common challenges which require a coordinated overall approach and, taking into account their respective distinguishing features, they will act with respect for the values and human dignity of the other side.
- The two sides are committed to strengthening regional cooperation which takes into account the interests of each side, in particular within the framework of the multilateral Middle East peace talks.
ARTICLE II
Scope
The scope of cooperation between the two
sides, as detailed in this Annex,will include, inter alia, the
following main aspects:
- cooperation with regard to environmental protection;
- economic cooperation; scientific and technological
cooperation;
- cultural and educational cooperation; and
- cooperation in enhancing the dialogue and relations
between the two peoples through a people-to-people
program.
ARTICLE III
Standing Cooperation Committee
- A Standing Cooperation Committee is hereby established
(thereinafter"the SCC").
- The SCC shall be composed of an equal number of
members from each side and may be assisted in its
meetings by experts and technicians as necessary.
- The SCC shall adopt its rules of procedure. It
shall meet once a month.
Meetings may be held more frequently at the request of either side.
- The SCC shall reach its decisions by agreement.
- The SCC may set up working groups or bodies for
the implementation of this Annex.
- The SCC shall deal with the matters covered in this
Annex. It shall consider and decide on the methods and
modalities for the implementation of the various fields of
cooperation as detailed in Article IX. It may decide to
add new fields of cooperation.
ARTICLE IV
Principles of Economic Cooperation
- The two sides recognize the importance of economic
growth, especially on the Palestinian side and cooperation
based on the principles of equity,fairness, and
reciprocity as a key factor in the context of building
peace and reconciliation.
- To this end, the two sides shall promote economic
cooperation,including the promotion of joint ventures for
their mutual benefit, in accordance with the overall
objectives and principles set out in this Annex. This
endeavor shall be pursued without derogating from the provisions
of Annex III of the Declaration of Principles, Annex V of
this agreement (Protocol on Economic Matters), and any
subsequent agreement or understanding reached between them
during the interim period.
- In implementing the various economic cooperation
programs, the two sides will ensure that aspects of
environmental protection including air,water, marine and
land resources, and prevention of environmental
risks,hazards and nuisances will be taken into
consideration.
- Without derogating from the existing agreements between
them, economic cooperation between the two sides shall
focus principally on sectors producing balanced economic, social,
and human development and growth. The cooperation aims,
among other things, at:
- developing the infrastructure and a strong base
for the Palestinian economy;
- strengthening the bases for independent and
institutional economic decision making processes
within the Palestinian side;
- supporting the establishment of the Palestinian
Standards and specifications Institute, export
institute, etc.;
- working together to promote social development
and foster the rise of Palestinian standards of
living; and
- aspiring towards reducing the disparity in the
level of the respective economic development of
the two sides.
- Economic cooperation between the two sides shall include
exchange of information and ideas on economic issues,
matters, and transactions involving the two sides.
- Economic cooperation between the two sides shall take
into account changes in economic policies in various
economic spheres.
ARTICLE V
Sectors of Economic Cooperation
- iphone app Industrial Cooperation
The two sides shall promote
industrial cooperation, and, in particular:
- facilitate cooperation between their respective
economic institutions and business sectors;
- examine ways to facilitate the establishment of
joint ventures;
- promote cooperation between small and
medium-sized enterprises of both sides;
- seek ways to increase Palestinian industrial
output through, inter alia, the promotion of a
program of industrial [I: parks] [P: zones]
in accordance with an agreed concept and in
cooperation with all relevant institutions; and
- dedicate special efforts to attract the
international business sector and in particular multinational
firms.
- Agricultural Cooperation
The two sides recognize the
importance of promoting cooperation in the field of
agriculture, and shall in particular:
- promote cooperation between their respective
private farming sectors;
- facilitate and promote smooth trade between the
respective markets;
- examine ways to facilitate the establishment of
joint ventures;
- establish channels for the exchange of
information on farming methods, irrigation, water
and soil treatment, herbicides, pesticides,etc.;
- cooperate and coordinate in the field of plant
protection and veterinary diseases;
- promote joint efforts to combat decertification
and encourage the development of agricultural
projects in arid and semi-arid areas.
- Environment
- The two sides shall promote cooperation in
preventing the deterioration of the environment,
controlling pollution and ensuring the proper
protection and rational use of natural resources
in their respective areas, with a view to ensuring
environmentally sustained development and
promoting regional environment projects.
- Cooperation in the protection of the environment
will focus, inter alia on preparing proposals for
projects, studies, and recommendations on:
- development and implementation of
appropriate treatment of liquid, solid
and hazardous wastes and the control,
storage, discharge, transportation and disposal
of hazardous materials, pollutants, and
radioactive waste;
- prevention and control of marine
pollution from ships and from land-based sources;
- preventing and minimizing the harmful
effects of pollution on soil, water and
air quality;
- use of appropriate tools of environmental
management and environmental monitoring
methods, including the adoption of and
use of internationally accepted
environmental principles and standards of
Environment Impact Assessment and
environmental information systems;
- development of programs of combating
decertification, and protection of nature
and endangered species and the
preservation of forests and natural reserves;
and
- promotion of environmental education and
awareness programs.
- Both sides shall cooperate in preventing the
transfer of internationally banned and restricted
chemicals including, pesticides,insecticides, and
fertilizers between their respective areas.
- Both sides shall cooperate in setting an
emergency warning system to respond to events or
accidents which may generate environmental
pollution,damage, or hazards.
- The Environmental Experts Committee established
under this Agreement will implement the
environmental cooperation proposed above
in coordination with the SCC.
- Energy
The two sides shall promote cooperation between
them in order to:
- develop plans to promote the use of
environmentally clean alternative sources of energy
such as solar and wind energy;
- enhance cooperation in energy conservation;
- promote, within the framework of regional
cooperation, projects for their mutual benefit in
the field of electricity; and
- develop options for joint ventures which will
include the international business sector in the
field of energy production,management and supply.
- Transport
- The two sides shall promote cooperation in the
field of transport and related infrastructure, in
order to accommodate any increase in the flow of
passengers and goods, and modernize the
transportation infrastructure through:
- promoting joint technological and
research programs; and
- assisting and facilitating the
establishment of a Palestinian Standards
and Specifications Institute in this
field based on international standards.
- The two sides will work towards normal movement
of vehicles across the crossing points with Jordan
and Egypt.
- Tourism:
- In order to best utilize the unique advantages
provided to the tourism industry in conditions of
stability, the two sides shall examine ways to:
- increase the volume of incoming tourism;
- plan and develop the necessary
infrastructure, facilities and services
in order to accommodate increased demand;
- encourage the involvement of major
foreign, regional, as well as
multinational tourist conglomerates and
entrepreneurs;
- continue and expand the existing
vocational training programs, in the
various tourist vocations; and
- encourage joint ventures in the tourism
field in all areas of mutual benefit including
on the Dead Sea. In this regard
Palestinian private projects as well as joint
ventures in accordance with the DOP, will
be located as agreed on the shore of the
Dead Sea.
- The two sides shall exchange information and
promote cooperation on planned tourism development
projects and tourism marketing projects,tourist
exhibits, exhibitions, conventions and
publications.
- The two sides shall facilitate and encourage
smooth movement of tourists between their
respective areas.
- The two sides shall also encourage the
development of cooperation programs between their
competent organizations in this fields.
ARTICLE VI
Scientific and Technological Cooperation
The two
sides shall promote cooperation in scientific research
and technological development, and shall devote special attention
to the following:
- establishment of contacts between research and
scientific institutions of both sides;
- organization of joint scientific meetings (seminars and
workshops);
- joint research and development activities aimed at
encouraging scientific progress and the transfer of
technology and know-how;
- training activities and mobility programs for
researchers,scientists and specialists from both sides;
and
- development of an environment conducive to research,
application of new technologies and adequate protection of
intellectual property rights for the results of such
research.
ARTICLE VII
Cultural and Educational Cooperation
- Cultural Cooperation
The two sides shall promote
cultural cooperation and encourage the development of cooperation
between their institutions or organizations in the fields
of art, music, theater, literature, literary
translations,publishing, cinema and film-making.
- Media and Communication
The two sides shall promote and
encourage direct cooperation between news agencies, newspapers,
and radio and television stations. In addition, the two
sides will cooperate with third countries in order to
promote the exposure of the benefits of the peace process
to the respective societies.
- Educational Cooperation
- The two sides shall promote cooperation by
encouraging and facilitating exchanges in the
field of education and by providing appropriate
conditions for direct contacts between schools
and educational institutions of both sides.
- The two sides shall cooperate with the aim of
raising the level of general education and
professional training of their
respective populations, taking into consideration priorities
to be determined by each side.
- The cooperation shall focus, in particular, on
the following areas:
- cooperation among educational/training
institutions;
- exchanges of information between
universities;
- language training; and
- other ways of promoting better mutual
understanding of their respective cultures.
- Sports and Youth
- The two sides shall encourage cooperation in
sports and physical culture, especially through
the exchange of sports delegations and teams,as
well as through the organizing of sports meetings
and games.
- The two sides shall encourage contacts and
exchanges between youth organizations and shall
promote exchanges of high school and
university students.
ARTICLE VIII
The People-To-People Program
- The two sides shall
cooperate in enhancing the dialogue and
relations between their peoples in accordance with
the concepts developed in cooperation with the
Kingdom of Norway.
- The two sides shall
cooperate in enhancing dialogue and
relations between their peoples, as well as in
gaining a wider exposure of the two publics to the
peace process, its current situation and
predicted results.
- The two sides shall take
steps to foster public debate and involvement,to
remove barriers to interaction, and to increase
the people to people exchange and interaction within
all areas of cooperation described in this Annex
and in accordance with the overall objectives and
principles set out in this Annex.
ARTICLE IX
Drugs
- In addition to the cooperation provided for in
Article II of Annex IVof this Agreement
concerning legal assistance in criminal matters,
the two sides shall cooperate with a view to,
inter alia:
- improving the effectiveness of policies,
including information and public awareness,
educational and sociological activities,
directed at countering the supply of, and
illicit trafficking in, narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances and reducing
the abuse of these products;
- encouraging a joint approach to reducing
demand; and
- encouraging a joint approach to prevent
the use of the Two sides,financial systems
to launder capital arising from criminal
activities in general and drug trafficking
in particular.
- Cooperation shall take the form of, inter alia,
exchanges of information and, where appropriate,
joint activities on establishing social and health
institutions and information systems, and
implementing projects in these spheres, including
training and research projects.
ARTICLE X
Methods and Modalities of Cooperation
- The SCC shall determine methods and modalities
for the implementation of cooperation between the
two sides.
- Cooperation shall be implemented, in particular,
by:
- regular dialogue;
- regular exchange of information and ideas
in every sector of cooperation including
meetings of officials and experts;
- transfer of advice, expertise and
training;
- initiating and conducting joint
activities such as seminars and workshops;
and
- technical, administrative and regulatory
assistance.
- The SCC, its subsidiary working groups and bodies
or various official agencies that may be asked to
promote this cooperation, will develop
joint action programs in the various fields of
cooperation within six months of the entry into
force of this Agreement.
- Other fields of cooperation may be agreed upon by
the two sides.
ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous
Nothing in this Annex shall derogate from the provisions set out in any other part of
this Agreement.
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