MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLITICAL CONSULTATION MECHANISM BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE …

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of.Turkey, hereinafter referred to as the “Parties,”

• With a view to further enhancing the friendly relations and deepening the cooperation already existing between the Philippines and Turkey, and to give new dimensions to this cooperation,
  Have agreed as follows;

ARTICLE I

The Parties shall hold political consultations every two (2) years or at any time mutually convenient to both Parties to review their bilateral relations and to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest.

ARTICLE II

The consultations shall be carried out alternately in Manila and Ankara. The consultations may also take place in a third country on the occasion of an international conference or meeting participated by both Parties. During such international conference or meeting, the Parties shall also seek the possibilities of cooperation and coordination on issues of common interest for the two countries.

The Parties may also decide to hold consultations through their Permanent Representatives at the United Nations in New York or at any other international organization.

ARTICLE III

The Delegations, conducting political consultations, shall be presided over by high-ranking officials of “both the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.

ARTICLE IV

The agenda of the consultations shall be agreed upon in advance through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE V

At the consultation meetings, the Parties shall review and evaluate the developments in the political, economic, consular, cultural, technological and scientific areas of bilateral relations and an exchange of views to further enhance these relations will be held.

ARTICLE VI

The Parties shall also exchange views on international and regional issues and developments of common concern, and whenever necessary, discuss bilateral cooperation in regional or international matters.

ARTICLE VII

This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the later notification by the Parties indicating compliance with their respective internal legal requirements for its entry into force.

This Memorandum of Understanding shall remain in force for a period of five (5) years and shall be automatically renewed for successive periods of two (2) years unless one of the Parties terminates it in writing through diplomatic channels, by giving six (6) months prior notice.

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended upon mutual agreement by the Parties. These amendments shall enter into force in accordance with the provisions on entry into force.

Done in duplicate in Ankara, Turkey, on 17 June 1999, in the English and Turkish languages, each text being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.