Key Benefits:
President of the Republic,
On the report of the Prime Minister and the Minister of State, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs,
Considering the Constitution, in particular articles 52 to 55;
Vu le Decree No. 53-192 of 14 March 1953 amended on the ratification and publication of international commitments undertaken by France,
Decrete:
The cooperation agreement between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the United Arab Emirates in the field of transport (a joint annex), signed in Abu Dhabi on 15 January 2008, will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.
The Prime Minister and the Minister of State, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, are responsible, each with regard to him, for the execution of this decree, which will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.
COOPERATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRANÇAISE REPUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED ARAB STATES IN THE FIELD OF TRANSPORT (ENSEMBLE ANNEX)
Preamble
Considering the deep friendships between the French and the European States and their respective peoples,
Considering the seniority of Franco-Emiral relations in the areas of transport, in particular in the areas of land and maritime transport,
The Government of the French Republic
And
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (hereinafter referred to as "the parties")
Recognizing the need to promote greater cooperation between France and the United Arab Emirates in the various transport sectors,
Convinced of the interest in establishing a framework for regular contacts between French and Emirian administrations and companies,
Acknowledging the need to develop institutional, economic and technical cooperation to enable an ongoing exchange of information between the officials and administrative specialists of the two countries,
Continuing the objective of promoting and developing economic and industrial relations between the two countries in the transport and public works sector,
To the extent available human and financial resources are appropriate, their intention to establish, over the long term, a cooperation programme aimed at fostering partnerships between enterprises and administrations in both countries.
The terms and conditions governing this program are:
Article 1
Theme of cooperation
1. Both parties undertake to cooperate in the field of transport taking into account the cooperative actions already undertaken between the two States.
2. The parties agree to develop, with a constant concern to include actions in a sustainable development framework, more particularly targeted institutional, economic and technical cooperation in the areas of:
- maritime transport;
- road infrastructure;
- road and rail safety;
- transportation services;
and for the following axes:
– the institutional and regulatory organization of administrations;
- the development of technical know-how;
– the organization of different modes of transport and their relationships;
– the organization of the actors in the transport sector;
– the safety of different modes of transport;
- procedures for financing, management and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
3. The Annex to this Agreement will specify the specific topics of cooperation.
Article 2
Method of cooperation
Both parties may, within the limits of the budgetary possibilities of each of them, take the following terms and conditions:
- the exchange of technical, scientific and regulatory information related to the proper functioning of the respective administrations of the two parties and to new projects in the areas of competence of the parties;
― the sending of trainees in training cycles and learning and development sessions, so that they receive recognized experience at the administrative, technical and scientific level;
– the association of companies that can bring useful know-how to this cooperation.
Article 3
Follow-up to the cooperation programme
1. In order to follow up on this agreement, the two parties agreed to designate each coordinator who will conduct an annual exchange review.
2. The parties will focus on assessing the implementation of the agreement over the past year and reviewing proposals for new actions for the next year.
3. The cooperation established by the agreement is, for the French part, implemented by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Development and, for the Emirian part, implemented by the Ministry of Public Sector Development, National Transport Authority.
Article 4
Financing of cooperation activities
The parties agree to stop their cooperation programs taking into account the availability of the necessary human and financial means to carry them out.
Article 5
Confidentiality
The parties agree that the information exchanged and the techniques developed jointly under this Agreement shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed by a party to a third party without the explicit agreement of the other party.
Article 6
Amendments
This Agreement may be amended with the written consent of both parties transmitted by diplomatic means. The amended agreement will come into force in accordance with the provisions applicable in this case.
Article 7
Entry into force, denunciation and duration of the agreement
This agreement shall enter into force upon its approval by both parties in accordance with the legal provisions in force in each country.
It is established for a four-year period and is prorogable by tacit renewal on the anniversary date for a new two-year period.
It agreed between the parties that, in any event, the validity of this agreement will end on the sixth anniversary of its signature.
This Agreement may be denounced by one of the parties, in a discretionary manner and through the Embassy of France to the United Arab Emirates, by letter addressed to the other party. Where applicable, the application of this Agreement shall cease upon receipt of the letter of denunciation by the French Embassy to the United Arab Emirates.
Completion of this Agreement will not affect the cooperative activities that are underway and are not completed at the time of its completion.
Done at Abu Dhabi on 15 January 2008.
In two copies in French and Arabic, each text being equally authentic.
For the Government
French:
Minister of Business
foreign and European,
Bernard Kouchner
For the Government
of the United Arab Emirates:
Minister of Development
the public sector,
President of the national authority
Transport,
Sultan Bin Said Al Mansouri
A N N E X E
Work themes
It was agreed between the two parties to undertake work on the following themes for the period 2008-2010. During this period, both parties may revise this list.
1. United Arab Emirates National Plan of Transport (existing elements, missing parts, global approach).
2. Maritime (surveillance and control of traffic, port logistics).
3. Road network improvement and traffic management (existing network audit, technical specifications, regulation, pricing and taxes, road safety).
4. Ferroviary (economic studies, design, technical specifications, corridors, regulation, traffic management and traffic goods).
5. Environment (following air quality, etc.).
6. GIS (geographical information systems): practical applications of geographic information systems to all modes of transport.
7. PPP ― Different ways to finance and operate transportation infrastructure.
8. Seminars for all interested Emirians.
Done on 16 May 2011.
Nicolas Sarkozy
By the President of the Republic:
The Prime Minister,
François Fillon
The Minister of State,
Minister for Foreign Affairs
and European,
Alain Juppé
