MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE AND RELATED FIELDS AND PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL TRADE BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIP…

The Ministry of Agriculture of Chile and the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines, herein denominated “The Parties”;

Wishing the encouragement of the friendly relationships already existing between both countries through the development of the cooperation in agriculture and related fields and in the promotion of agricultural products from both countries;

Hereby agree to pursue cooperative programs and exchanges in the filed of agricultural science and technology and promotion of agricultural products through this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as “Memorandum”), to be implemented as follows:

ARTICLE 1

The Parties shall promote technical, economic and commercial cooperation, according to laws and relevant regulations of their respective countries.

ARTICLE 2

The Parties shall undertake joint activities to accomplish the following:

1. To promote development of agricultural science and technological cooperation, programs and exchanges according to the laws and agricultural policies of both countries. Cooperation shall be effected in general areas of livestock, fruits, vegetable and cut-flower production, food processing, agricultural cooperatives, storage and distribution, and other additional fields as agreed upon by the Parties.

2. To promote international agricultural trade. The Parties shall create favorable conditions for imports and exports consistent with international quarantine rules, without affecting in any way the Parties’ commitments according to bilateral and multilateral agreements.

ARTICLE 3

Cooperation shall be effected by means of, but not limited to, the exchange of materials and information; the exchange of scientists, experts and trainees; the joint publication of studies and papers; the provision of scholarships programs; the organization of training programs, symposia and conferences; the conduct of activities to facilitate the strategic market, including agricultural trade fairs and special exhibitions; joint ventures, and other means which may be agreed upon.

A Joint Working Group shall be constituted to determine the joint activities and to provide guidance, to review the progress of activities and facilitate the cooperation. The Joint Working Group shall meet once every two years alternately in the Philippines and Chile.

Each Party shall appoint an Executive Secretary who shall be permanent member of the Joint Working Group.

1. The Executive Secretaries shall meet annually to develop a work program and coordinate administrative and technical details. The Executive Secretaries shall likewise communicate regularly to control the implementation of activities carried out under the auspices of this Memorandum.

2. The Joint Working Group shall be composed of the following:

Philippine Side
Co-Chairman
The Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the Department of Agriculture (DA)

Members: Heads of Division of DA and Heads of Attached Agencies

Executive Secretary:
Division of International Relations, DA

Chilean Side
The Director of International Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture
The Director of Agricultural Policies of the Office of Studies and
Agricultural Policies, ODEPA

ARTICLE 4

To generate broad interest and extensive participation, this Memorandum encourages the involvement of other interested government agencies and private sector agencies, the scientific, academic and business communities of both countries.

The Parties shall encourage and facilitate direct contacts between these groups to work for a long-term cooperation in programs of research, extension and training, and to intensify potential joint ventures in agribusiness.

ARTICLE 5

Each Party shall finance its participation in cooperative activities, unless the Parties agree on other arrangements. The activities pursuant to the Memorandum are subject to the availability of funds and personnel and to the laws and regulations of the Parties.

ARTICLE 6

The Parties agree that the results and other benefits resulting from the program of cooperation shall be mutually shared and exchanged between the Parties according to the laws, rules and regulations of both countries. The result of cooperative undertakings may be published for the public interest, as mutually agreed upon. The publication may be joint or separate, as determined in every specific area.

Joint intellectual properties shall be ruled by the guidelines established by the Parties through consultations or negotiations.

ARTICLE 7

Any dispute between the Parties due to interpretation or implementation of this Memorandum, shall be solved by means of consultations and negotiations through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 8

This Memorandum shall be valid for a period of five (5) years and shall be automatically renewed for a similar period, unless it may be sooner terminated by written notice from either, through diplomatic channels, six (6) months prior to the intended date of termination. The termination of this Memorandum shall be carried out without prejudice to the completion of on-going projects.

ARTICLE 9

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

ARTICLE 10

Any amendment or review to the text of this Memorandum shall be done by written and by mutual consent of the Parties. The amendments or review shall enter into force in accordance with Article 9.

Done in Santiago, Chile, on the fifth day of March 2001 in two original copies in the Spanish and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.

Entry into Force: October 7, 2003