MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS’ MECHANISM BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE MINIST…

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria,
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 Bulgaria
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
Sofia. 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.

ARTICLE III

The Delegations, conducting political consultations, shall be
presided over by deputy ministers or other 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
Bulgaria.

ARTICLE IV

Agenda, dates and places of the consultations and composition of the
delegations shall be coordinated through diplomatic channels. The
Parties shall bear their respective expenses for participation hi the
meetings, including round trip transportation to the meeting place and
accommodations, and the host Party shall provide necessary office
facilities and local transportation for holding the consultations.

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

ARTICLE VI

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

This Memorandum of Agreement shall remain in force for a period of
five (5) years and shall be extended for a similar period unless one of
the Parties officially notifies the other of its desire to suspend or
terminate this Memorandum of Agreement six (6) months prior to its
intended date of expiration. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, its
suspension or termination should not prejudice the completion of
projects initiated under this Memorandum of Agreement.

Any amendment or revision of the text of this Memorandum of Agreement
shall be done in writing by mutual consent of the Parties, through
diplomatic channels. Such amendment or revision shall enter into force
in accordance with the provision of paragraph 1 of this Article.

Done in duplicate in Sofia on May 3 , 2007 in the English language

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

FOR THE MINISTRY OF OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA