Viet Nam, Poland sign MoU on cooperation

Below is the full Memorandum of Understanding:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland (hereafter referred to separately as "Participant" and collectively as "Participants");

RECOGNIZING long-standing ties in the political, economic, and other areas between the two States;

DESIRING to further deepen friendship and cooperation in areas of mutual interest;

SEEKING to collaboratively carry out activities for the common interest and efficiently implement the signed bilateral agreements and treaties between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Republic of Poland, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the Participants at multilateral forums;

DECIDED to enhance cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs by implementing the following measures:

I. The Participants consent to hold a regular Political Consultation at the Deputy Foreign Minister, Director General of Department and Head of Section levels, or at any other level agreed upon by the two Participants, to discuss matters pertinent to bilateral relations. These should particularly include: foreign and security policy, economic diplomacy, trade and economic relations, culture, science, education, sustainable development, regional and international issues of shared interest.

II. The program, venue and format of such consultations will be agreed upon through the diplomatic channel. Each Participant will cover their own travel, accommodation and other expenses related to the consultations. The composition of delegations will be decided pursuant to the agenda of the consultation, and may include representatives from other relevant Ministries and agencies.

III. The Participants consent to hold regular Policy Planning Dialogue at the Director or Deputy Director of Department level, or at any other level agreed upon by the two Participants, not less than once every two years. Such Dialogue shall serve in particular as a forum for discussing foreign policy and security issues from a strategic perspective, including long-term regional and global matters.

IV. The Participants will encourage and support exchanges of think tanks and experts on geopolitical and strategic issues, as complementary to official policy planning exchanges.

V. The Participants will strive to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums and international organizations for a more stable, prosperous and sustainable world and, where appropriate, explore exchanges of support for their candidacies for international organizations.

VI. The Participants will exchange information on matters relevant to the implementation of the agreements between the two countries as a channel to strengthen the legal framework for mutually beneficial cooperation.

VII. The Participants agree to use the tools of public and cultural diplomacy, and the commemoration of important occasions and anniversaries of bilateral diplomatic cooperation, in order to strengthen mutual understanding between the two nations and deepen bilateral cooperation.

VIII. The Regional Department in charge of each Participant will be the point of contact for the implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding.

IX. This Memorandum of Understanding is not an international treaty. It is a political commitment between the Participants, and construes neither legal rights nor obligations under international law.

X. This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended at any time given the consent in writing by the Participants. All amendments will constitute an integral part of this Memorandum of Understanding.

XI. This Memorandum of Understanding will become effective on the date of signature and will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years, and will be automatically renewed for each subsequent period of five (5) years, unless a Participant notifies the other of the Memorandum's termination in writing at least three (3) months in advance.

XII. The termination of the Memorandum of Understanding will be without prejudice to ongoing activities or projects agreed upon by the Participants prior to the cessation of effect, unless otherwise determined by the Participants.

XIII. Any dispute that may arise between the Participants on the interpretation or implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be settled through consultation and/or negotiations.

XIV. On the day of becoming effective of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Protocol on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, done in Hanoi on the 9^th of September 2010, will cease to be effective./.