MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA ON POLITI…

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia (hereinafter referred to as “the Participants” and separately as a “Participant”).

Determined to develop their bilateral relations, building on the long lasting diplomatic relations established in 1991;

Having regard to common interests, shared values and mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity;

Desirous of strengthening the friendly relations and cooperation between the Participants;

Recognizing the importance of consultations and exchange of opinions at different levels on matters of bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest;

Wishing to establish and further facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation;

Guided by the principles of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations Concluded on 18 April 1961;

Have reached the following understanding:

Section 1
Aim and General Principles

1)	The aim of the consultations is to have an open and flexible dialogue, that strengthens bilateral relations and enables the Participants to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
2)	This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a non-binding agreement and does not create any rights or obligations on the Participants under international law.

Section 2
Mechanism for Consultations Principles

1)	The Participants will hold, upon mutual consent, regular consultations to review their bilateral relations and to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest.
2)	The meetings may be held between Senior Officials, or at any other level decided by the Participants, accompanied by experts on the field.
3)	The meetings within the framework of this MoU will take place alternately in Manila and Tallinn, or at the sidelines of international conferences or multilateral meetings such as the United Nations. During such conferences or meetings, the Participants will also seek the possibility of cooperation on issues of common interest for the two countries. Meetings may also be conducted via videoconferences, as appropriate, and upon mutual agreement.
4)	The Participants will determine the level of the delegations, dates, venue and the agenda of the meetings, in advance, through diplomatic channels.
5)	Each Participant will be responsible for its own expenses arising out of implementation of this MoU, including round trip transportation to the meeting place and accommodations, and the host Participant will provide the necessary office facilities for holding the consultations.

Section 3
Scope of Cooperation

1)	The Participants will cooperate and hold consultations aimed at coordinating their positions on various issues of mutual interest, to the extent possible, whenever necessary.
2)	The Participants will include in their consultations, among others, cooperation in the areas of political security, economy, socio-cultural, educational, scientific and technological, consular, and governance, as well as regional and global developments.
3)	The Participants will encourage cooperation and direct contact through the respective Philippine and Estonian diplomatic representations. They will facilitate the organization and appropriate execution of joint activities and programs, as may be mutually arranged, through diplomatic channels.
4)	Direct consultations and contacts between the Participants’ relevant authorities may take place in order to bring forward this MoU.
5)	The Participants will facilitate cooperation and consultations between diplomatic and consular missions of the Participants in third countries.

Section 4
Confidentiality

The Participants shall keep secret and confidential information received from the other in the course of implementation and after the termination of this MoU and will not disclose the same to any third Party without joint written consent of both Participants.

Section 5
Settlement of Differences

Any differences that may arise out of or from the interpretation or implementation of the provisions of this MoU shall be settled amicably through consultations or negotiations between the Participants through diplomatic channels.

Section 6
Amendments

This MoU may be amended by mutual written consent of the Participants. Such amendments will come into effect on such date as may be determined by the Participants.

Section 7
Effectivity and Implementation

1)	This MoU shall come into effect on the date of its signature and will remain in effect until terminated or suspended by either Participant on three months’ written notice to the other Participant. Unless otherwise agreed by the Participants, its termination or suspension should not prejudice the completion of projects initiated under this MoU.
2)	The Participants shall implement this MoU pursuant to the laws and regulation in force in each country. This MoU shall not prejudice the obligations arising under the bilateral agreements concluded between the two countries.

Signed at New York, USA on 21 September 2023 in duplicate, in English language, both texts having equal validity.

Entry into Force: September 21, 2023