MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MECHANISM FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, duly represented by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (referred to as the “Participants”)

Determined to develop their bilateral relations building on the long lasting diplomatic relations established in 1946;

Resolute in playing a constructive role as members of the international community in addressing the challenges of the 21^st century and in seizing the opportunities for the benefit and prosperity of both countries and their citizens;

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

HAVE decided on the following:

I. Mechanism for Consultations

1. The Participants confirm that cooperation under this framework will be on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity, taking into account common interests in line with obligations of the Participants under the United Nations Charter and international treaties to which they are Parties, and mindful of the guarantees under their respective legal systems.
2. The Participants will hold consultations every two (2) years or at any time mutually convenient to both Participants to review their bilateral relations and to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest.
3. The consultations will be carried out alternately in Manila and Copenhagen. The consultations may also take place in a third country on the occasion of an international conference or meeting where both Participants are present. During such an international conference or meeting, the Participants will also seek the possibility of cooperation on issues of common interest for the two countries.
4. The agenda, date and venue of the consultations as well as the composition of the delegations will be agreed upon by the Participants through diplomatic channels.
5. The Participants will bear their respective expenses for participation in the meetings, including round trip transportation to the meeting place and accommodations, and the host Participant will provide the necessary office facilities for holding the consultations.

II. Composition of Delegations

1. The Participants’ respective delegations will be headed by the Assistant Secretary of the Office of European Affairs of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Director General/Head of Department for Asia and Pacific of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs unless otherwise agreed upon.
2. In between the biennial consultations, regular contacts will, as necessary, be conducted through the respective Philippine and Danish diplomatic representations. Direct consultations and contacts between Philippine and Danish authorities may take place in order to bring this Framework for Cooperation forward.
3. Given the importance of civil society and civil society organization, the Participants will also encourage cooperation among non-governmental organizations and public and private actors in both countries as means to enrich the bilateral relations.

III. Scope of Cooperation

1. Political and Security Cooperation

The Participants will inform each other on major political and security developments in the Philippines and in Denmark.

The Participants will encourage and promote dialogue between their governments and officials across sectors, through visits.

The Participants will endeavor to identify concrete areas for cooperation, including through capacity building, education and trainings between security personnel as well as exchanges of information and best practices on humanitarian assistance and other areas as may be mutually decided.

The Participants, cognizant of the increasing occurrence and level of intensity of transnational organized crimes, will endeavor to enhance their cooperation to counter drug trafficking, human trafficking, computer/cybercrimes, terrorism, money laundering and a host of other crimes involving actors operating within and outside national borders that have taken advantage of globalization, trade liberalization and exploiting new technologies to move illicit money, goods, services and people instantaneously through inter alia., the exchange of information and best practices.

2. Economic Cooperation

The Participants will work towards strengthening bilateral trade and investments, and pursue other areas of economic cooperation that may be mutually agreed upon, including in clean-tech, food-agri, health, ICT and creative industries, strategic and advanced high-tech and maritime sector.

The Participants will also work towards promoting tourism cooperation i.e., through the sharing of tourism information, statistics and best practices, encouraging relevant participation in major travel events in the Philippines and Denmark as well as facilitating networking among travel industry officials and maintaining a dialogue between relevant tourism officials.

3. Socio-Cultural, Educational and Scientific and Technological
Cooperation

Participants cognizant of the importance of people-to-people exchanges and contacts in fostering mutual understanding between the Philippines and Denmark commit to enhance socio-cultural and educational cooperation. They recognize the positive contributions of the Filipino Community in Denmark and the Danish Community in the Philippines to their respective host countries in promoting cultural awareness and understanding.

The Participants will encourage exchanges at all levels between cultural and educational institutions.

The Participants will endeavor to promote cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in the fields of mutual interest and benefit through the exchanges of scientists and researchers, capacity building activities and joint R&D.

4. Consular and Law Enforcement Cooperation

The Participants will cooperate on consular matters on a regular basis and, will, to this end, consult each other through their respective ministries for foreign affairs and diplomatic representations as well as relevant ministries and agencies.

The Participants will consult, when needed, on immigration matters through first and foremost their diplomatic mission and the relevant ministries and agencies.

The Participants will facilitate cooperation on law enforcement and judicial matters.

The Participants will ensure smooth and effective visa service for diplomatic and official passport holders for official travel purposes.

5. Regional and Global Cooperation

The Participants will strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual interest in the international and regional fora, including ASEAN-EU meetings, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and in the United Nations (UN). A special focus will be on issues in relation to international peace and security promotion. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, rule of law, poverty alleviation, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

V. Final Provisions

1. This Framework for Cooperation will come into effect on the date of the later of the notifications, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.
2. This Framework for Cooperation will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years and will be extended for the same period unless one of the Participants officially notifies the other of its desire to suspend or terminate this Framework for Cooperation six (6) months prior to its intended date of expiration. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the Participants, its suspension or termination should not prejudice the completion of projects initiated under this Framework for Cooperation.
3. Any amendment or revision of the text of this Framework for Cooperation will be done in writing by mutual consent of the Participants, through diplomatic channels. Such amendment or revision will come into effect on the date of the later of notifications, through diplomatic channels, that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.

Signed in Manila, Philippines on this 4^th day of April 2017.

Entry into Force: January 8, 2018