Contents
Objectives
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The two sides are determined to establish dialogue and cooperation
on the bases of equality, fairness 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.
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To that end, the two sides agree to establish and maintain
between them
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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.
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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.
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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.
Scope
The scope of cooperation between the two sides,
as detailed in this Annex, will include, inter alia, the following main
aspects:
a. cooperation with regard to environmental
protection;
b. economic cooperation;
c. scientific and technological cooperation;
d. cultural and educational cooperation; and
e. cooperation in enhancing the dialogue and
relations between the two peoples through a people-to-people program.
Standing Cooperation Committee
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A Standing Cooperation Committee is hereby established (hereinafter
"the SCC").
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a. 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.
b. 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.
c. The SCC shall reach its decisions by agreement.
d. The SCC may set up working groups or bodies
for the implementation of this Annex.
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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.
Principles of Economic Cooperation
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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.
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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
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understanding reached between them during the interim period.
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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.
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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:
a. developing the infrastructure and a strong base for
the Palestinian economy;
b. strengthening the bases for independent and institutional
economic decision making processes within the Palestinian side;
c. supporting the establishment of the Palestinian Standards
and Specifications Institute, export institute, etc.;
e. working together to promote social development and
foster the rise of Palestinian standards of living; and
f. aspiring towards reducing the disparity in the level
of the respective economic development of the two sides.
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Economic cooperation between the two sides shall include
exchange of information and ideas on economic issues, matters, and transactions
involving the two sides.
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Economic cooperation between the two sides shall take into
account changes in economic policies in various economic spheres.
Sectors of Economic Cooperation
1. Industrial Cooperation
The two sides shall promote industrial cooperation,
and, in particular:
a. facilitate cooperation between their respective
economic institutions and business sectors;
b. examine ways to facilitate the establishment
of joint ventures;
c. promote cooperation between small and medium-sized
enterprises of both sides;
d. 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
e. dedicate special efforts to attract the
international business sector and in particular multinational firms.
2. Agricultural Cooperation
The two sides recognize the importance of
promoting cooperation in the field of agriculture, and shall in particular:
a. promote cooperation between their respective
private farming sectors;
b. facilitate and promote smooth trade between
the respective markets;
c. examine ways to facilitate the establishment
of joint ventures;
d. establish channels for the exchange of
information on farming methods, irrigation, water and soil treatment, herbicides,
pesticides, etc.;
d. cooperate and coordinate in the field of
plant protection and veterinary diseases;
f. promote joint efforts to combat desertification
and encourage the development of agricultural projects in arid and semi-arid
areas.
3. Environment
a. 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.
b. Cooperation in the protection of the environment will
focus, inter alia on preparing proposals for projects, studies, and recommendations
on:
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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;
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prevention and control of marine pollution from ships and
from land- based sources;
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preventing and minimizing the harmful effects of pollution
on soil, water and air quality;
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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;
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development of programs of combating desertification, and
protection of nature and endangered species and the preservation of forests
and natural reserves; and
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promotion of environmental education and awareness programs.
a. Both sides shall cooperate in preventing the
transfer of internationally banned and restricted chemicals including,
pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers between their respective areas.
b. Both sides shall cooperate in setting an emergency
warning system to respond to events or accidents whimay generate environmental
pollution, damage, or hazards.
c. The Environmental Experts Committee established under
this Agreement will implement the environmental cooperation proposed above
in coordination with the SCC.
4. Energy
The two sides shall promote cooperation between
them in order to:
a. develop plans to promote the use of environmentally
clean alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind energy;
b. enhance cooperation in energy conservation;
c. promote, within the framework of regional
cooperation, projects for their mutual benefit in the field of electricity;
and
d. develop options for joint ventures which
will include the international business sector in the field of energy production,
management and supply.
5. Transport
a. 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:
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promoting joint technological and research programs; and
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assisting and facilitating the establishment of a Palestinian
Standards and Specifications Institute in this field based on international
standards.
a. The two sides will work towards normal movement of
vehicles across the crossing points with Jordan and Egypt.
6. Tourism
a. In order to best utilize the unique advantages
provided to the tourism industry in conditions of stability, the two sides
shall examine ways to:
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increase the volume of incoming tourism;
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plan and develop the necessary infrastructure, facilities
and services in order to accommodate increased demand;
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encourage the involvement of major foreign, regional, as
well as multinational tourist conglomerates and entrepreneurs; and
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continue and expand the existing vocational training programs,
in the various tourist vocations.
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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.
b. The two sides shall exchange information and promote
cooperation on planned tourism development projects and tourism marketing
projects, tourist exhibits, exhibitions, conventions and publications.
c. The two sides shall facilitate and encourage smooth
movement of tourists between their respective areas.
d. The two sides shall also encourage the development
of cooperation programs between their competent organizations in this fields.
Scientific and Technological Cooperation
The two sides shall promote cooperation in scientific
research and technological development, and shall devote special attention
to the following:
a. establishment of contacts between research
and scientific institutions of both sides;
b. organization of joint scientific meetings
(seminars and workshops);
c. joint research and development activities
aimed at encouraging scientific progress and the transfer of technology
and know-how;
d. training activities and mobility programs
for researchers, scientists and specialists from both sides; and
e. development of an environment conducive
to research, application of new technologies and adequate protection of
intellectual property rights for the results of such research.
Cultural and Educational Cooperation
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Educational Cooperation
a. 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.
b. 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
c. The cooperation shall focus, in particular,
on the following areas:
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cooperation among educational/training institutions;
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exchanges of information between universities;
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language training; and
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other ways of promoting better mutual understanding of their
respective cultures.
4. Sports and Youth
a. 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.
b. 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
Drugs
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In addition to the cooperation provided for in Article II
of Annex IV of this Agreement concerning legal assistance in criminal matters,
the two sides shall cooperate with a view to, inter alia:
a. 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;
b. encouraging a joint approach to reducing demand; and
c. 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.
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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.
Methods and Modalities of Cooperation
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The SCC shall determine methods and modalities for the implementation
of cooperation between the two sides.
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Cooperation shall be implemented, in particular, by:
a. regular dialogue;
b. regular exchange of information and ideas in every
sector of cooperation including meetings of officials and experts;
c. transfer of advice, expertise and training;
d. initiating and conducting joint activities such as
seminars and workshops; and
e. technical, administrative and regulatory assistance.
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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.
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Other fields of cooperation may be agreed upon by the two
sides.
Miscellaneous
Nothing in this Annex shall derogate from the
provisions set out in any other part of this Agreement.