AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO ON THE ABOLITION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC,…

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, hereinafter referred to as” the Contracting Parties”;

Considering the mutual benefits of strengthening the friendly relations, between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Morocco;

Desirous to facilitate the travel of their respective nationals who are holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports;

Considering the international practice of granting to holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports exemption from visa requirements.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1

1- The citizens of the Republic of the Philippines who are holders of diplomatic or official passports shall not be required to obtain a visa to enter, transit through, stay in or leave the territory of the kingdom of Morocco.

2- The citizens of the Kingdom of Morocco who are holders of diplomatic or service/special passports shall not be required to obtain a visa to enter, transit through, stay in or leave the territory of the Republic of the Philippines.

3- The citizens referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be permitted to stay in the territory of the other Contracting Party without a visa for a period of ninety days (90) starting from the date of entry.

4- Authorized stay may be extended upon proper representation with the immigration authorities of the receiving State.

ARTICLE 2

1. Holders of diplomatic, official, service and special passports of either Contracting Party who are members of diplomatic or consular mission in the territory of the other Party shall be exempt from visa requirements to enter into and stay in the latter’s territory until the end of their assignment.

2. this provision shall also be applied to members of their dependent family if they themselves use diplomatic, official, service or special passports.

3. Each Contracting Party shall inform each other, through diplomatic channels, of the nominations and arrival of the incoming members of their respective diplomatic and consular missions.

ARTICLE 3

This Agreement does not exempt nationals of either Contracting Party from the obligation to abide by the laws and regulations of the receiving Contracting Party including laws and regulations governing the performance of lucrative activities, and shall be subject to international conventions in force between the Contracting Parties in connection with this matter.

ARTICLE 4

Either Contracting Party reserves the right to deny entry into or terminate the stay in its territory of the nationals of the other Contracting Party who may be considered undesirable or persona non grata.

ARTICLE 5

1- The Contracting Parties shall exchange, through diplomatic channels, specimens of their valid diplomatic, official, service and special passports as well as information concerning their use within thirty days (30) after the signing of this Agreement.

2- The contracting Parties shall exchange notices, through diplomatic channels, about any modification concerning the passports and provide new specimens sixty days (60) prior to the entry into force of the said modifications. The Contracting Parties shall also inform each other about any modifications concerning the legislation governing the entry and the stay of foreigners in their respective territories.

ARTICLE 6

Any amendment or revision to this Agreement shall be done, through diplomatic channels, by mutual consent. Such amendment or revision shall be effective on a date agreed upon by them.

ARTICLE 7

Each Contracting Party can partially or totally suspend the implementation of this Agreement for reasons relating to public order, security or public health. It commits itself to convey, through diplomatic channels, a written notice to the other Party about the suspension of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 8

1- This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the latter written notification by the Parties, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for entry into force have been complied with.

2- This Agreement shall remain in force and effect unless one of the Parties officially notifies the other, through diplomatic channels, of its desire to suspend or terminate this Agreement. In such a case the Agreement shall remain valid until thirty (30) days after the date of notice for suspension or termination.

Done at Rabat on June 03 2004 in two originals in the English and Arabic languages; both texts being equally authentic.